Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday on this platform remains a classic party-based RPG at heart. You create a squad of four adventurers—choosing from Warriors, Rocketjocks, Medics, and Rogues—then guide them through a series of missions for NEO, the organization bent on toppling the tyrannical RAM faction. While the reduction from five classes to four may feel limiting to veteran players of the original computer title, the core loop of exploration, dialogue, and tactical combat is preserved.

The streamlined character creation removes some of the deeper customization found in the computer version—only Humans, Desert Runners, and Tinkers are available, and many minor skills and equipment types have been culled. On the plus side, newcomers will appreciate an easier onboarding process and a clearer focus on combat roles: tanks, ranged specialists, healers, and scouts. Equipment management is still meaningful, if less granular: items are color-coded by rarity and effect, and key upgrades appear at regular intervals.

Navigation and combat both use an isometric perspective in this release. Whereas the original PC game switched between first-person exploration and pseudo-3D combat, this edition keeps all movement and battles on the same camera plane. That consistency speeds up play sessions and reduces menu diving, but some players may miss the immersive corridors and 3D vistas of the earlier version. Encounters still challenge your tactical instincts—cover, line of sight, and ability synergies remain crucial to victory.

Graphics

The most noticeable change from the computer version is the visual overhaul of environments and characters into fully isometric 2D. Sprites are hand-drawn and richly colored, evoking classic ’90s sci-fi comics. Planetary surfaces, space stations, and RAM strongholds each feature distinct palettes, helping players orient themselves and absorb environmental storytelling through background details.

Character animations are smooth for the hardware, with each class boasting unique idle poses, attack frames, and ability effects. While the resolution and frame rate cannot match modern titles, they do an admirable job conveying the feel of laser blasts, plasma grenades, and med-kit applications. Occasional sprite flicker or palette swapping is a minor nuisance but rarely detracts from overall immersion.

User interface elements have been rearranged to suit the isometric view. Health bars, skill hotkeys, and inventory icons sit along the screen edges instead of popping up in separate windows. This unified HUD minimizes disruption, though it does reduce on-screen real estate for detailed tooltips. Sound design leans on retro bleeps and electronic tones, complemented by a pulsing synth soundtrack that reinforces the high-tech adventures in the solar system.

Story

The narrative foundation of Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday remains intact. You begin thwarting an alien mutant assault on Earth HQ, then proceed to an orbital command base where RAM forces lurk. Mission briefings, computer logs, and NPC interactions reveal the fallen glory of the old Rams and the scattered hope for NEO’s victory. Though some side quests are trimmed from the PC original, the main arc delivers a satisfying blend of political intrigue and galactic stakes.

Dialogues rely on text boxes with occasional character portraits rather than voiced performances. Writing quality varies from utilitarian exposition to moments of dry wit—particularly when your Rocketjock quips about zero-G maneuvers or your Rogue debates black-market ethics. Decision points are infrequent, so the story remains largely linear, but major mission outcomes can alter available gear or unlock different NPC allies for later chapters.

World-building is achieved through environmental detail as much as through NPC banter. Boarding a derelict ship, for example, offers audio logs from a lost crew, while exploring alien ruins provides cryptic glyphs hinting at a deeper cosmic threat. Though the main villainy of RAM looms large, the game occasionally teases a wider galactic mythos that could have been explored further in sequels or expansions.

Overall Experience

Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday delivers a faithful adaptation of its computer progenitor, trading some complexity for a more accessible, consistent interface. The loss of certain classes, races, and skills will disappoint completionists, but the streamlined systems keep the action moving and reduce frustration during lengthy campaigns. If you’ve ever wanted to command a squad of futuristic adventurers without micromanaging dozens of attributes, this version is a solid choice.

The isometric presentation unifies exploration and combat under one camera, which newcomers will find easier to navigate. Longtime fans may miss the original’s first-person corridors and 3D vistas, but the artistic direction here stands on its own merits—colorful, detailed, and brimming with retro sci-fi charm. Performance is steady on the supported platforms, with only minor hiccups in loading or menu transitions.

Ultimately, this release strikes a balance between nostalgia and modern accessibility. It works best for players interested in a tactical, story-driven RPG set in a classic Buck Rogers universe. While it lacks some of the depth and optionality of the PC version, it compensates with a tighter pacing, a streamlined UI, and a cohesive visual style. Fans of party-based combat and 1990s sci-fi lore will find much to enjoy here.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10