Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Exo Squad delivers a surprisingly varied gameplay experience by rotating control among three distinctive pilots—Lt. J.T. Marsh, Sgt. Rita Torres, and Wolf Bronksy—each equipped with their own Exo-Frame. Marsh’s missions thrust you into fast-paced, After Burner-esque, behind-the-shoulder combat sequences that demand swift maneuvering and precision targeting. The controls feel tight once you become accustomed to the Exo-Frame’s momentum, and each successful dodge or missile lock-on delivers a genuine rush.

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By contrast, Torres’s stages favor classic platforming challenges. You’ll navigate crumbling ledges, moving platforms, and environmental hazards that test both your timing and spatial awareness. Subtle wall-jumps and mid-air dashes keep the action fresh, and hidden alcoves encourage exploration for extra health packs or weapon upgrades. These levels are well-designed, striking a solid balance between trial-and-error and fair checkpoint placement.

Wolf Bronksy’s beat-’em-up segments offer old-school side-scrolling brawling with combo strings, throws, and special Exo-Frame attacks. Enemies swarm in waves, and resource management becomes key when ammo is limited and health pickups are scarce. While some might find the combat a bit repetitive if tackled in one go, switch-ups in enemy types and occasional minibosses prevent monotony and force you to adapt your approach on the fly.

Across all three pilots, level variety and pacing stand out as the game’s greatest strengths. Difficulty spikes are present but never feel unfair, and each segment’s mechanics are introduced gradually enough to avoid overwhelming newcomers. Whether you’re strafing through enemy fighter wings, scaling futuristic cityscapes, or brawling through industrial complexes, Exo Squad keeps you engaged by refusing to stick to a single formula.

Graphics

Visually, Exo Squad embraces a vibrant, 16-bit-inspired art style that faithfully channels its source material’s animated roots. The Exo-Frames themselves are rendered with crisp sprite work and subtle shading, giving them a three-dimensional heft against the backdrop of alien moonscapes or Neo Proxima City skylines. Character portraits during mission briefings are bold and expressive, helping to sell the personalities of Marsh, Torres, and Bronksy.

Backgrounds often feature parallax scrolling layers—a welcome touch that enhances the sense of depth during side-scrolling and platforming sections. Effects like muzzle flashes, rocket trails, and explosion animations pop against darker environments, providing satisfying visual feedback when your attacks connect. Occasional slowdown in the busiest beat-’em-up fights is the only blemish, but it’s never severe enough to disrupt the flow.

The color palette shifts intelligently from level to level: icy blues and grays on the hothouse moon, warm oranges and reds in volcanic corridors, and muted pastels in futuristic urban sprawl. This helps each mission feel unique without resorting to overly busy textures or distracting visual noise. Even in the most chaotic moments, you can always distinguish friend from foe—a crucial advantage in fast-paced combat scenes.

The game’s UI is clean and unobtrusive, placing health bars, ammo counters, and special-attack meters in corners without obscuring the action. Briefing screens incorporate static hand-drawn illustrations reminiscent of the TV series, lending an extra layer of authenticity. Overall, Exo Squad’s graphics strike a solid middle ground: they’re not pushing console boundaries, but they perfectly complement the game’s dynamic variety.

Story

Based on the early ’90s animated series, Exo Squad weaves a compact narrative around the ongoing human-Neosapien conflict. You step into the boots of our three protagonists as they fight to repel an uprising on distant colonies. While the game doesn’t attempt to re-create every subplot, it hits the high notes—political intrigue, loyalty tests, and the sense of camaraderie that made the show memorable.

Mission briefings and interstitial cutscenes deploy text boxes and occasional voice clips to drive the plot forward. Dialogue remains true to each character: Marsh’s decisive leadership, Torres’s empathy, and Bronksy’s gruff humor all come through clearly. Fans of the series will appreciate nods to iconic moments, though newcomers may find some references slip by without full context.

Progression is straightforward, with each successful mission unlocking the next chapter in the overarching campaign. You’ll witness shifting alliances and a crescendo of stakes as you advance, culminating in a final showdown that ties up major story arcs. No major surprises or branching paths are present, but the linear progression ensures a focused, cinematic pace from start to finish.

Although the narrative depth won’t rival a fully-fledged RPG or adventure title, the story serves its purpose: it provides motivation for switching between pilots and lends emotional weight to each mission. If you’re looking for a sprawling epic, this may feel brief, but it’s efficient enough to keep you invested throughout its roughly six- to eight-hour runtime.

Overall Experience

Exo Squad excels at delivering a multifaceted action package that seldom feels repetitive. The seamless transitions between mech combat, precision platforming, and street-level brawling create a roller-coaster of setpieces that keeps you guessing. Controls remain consistently responsive across all modes, ensuring you rarely combat input lag or awkward hitboxes.

Sound design complements the visuals with punchy weapon effects, mechanical whirs of your Exo-Frame’s servos, and a soundtrack that alternates between driving techno beats and atmospheric pads. Voice samples—though sparse—add character, especially when Marsh calls out orders or Bronksy cracks a one-liner mid-battle. The audio never overpowers the gameplay, striking a solid balance that enhances immersion.

Replay value is bolstered by multiple difficulty levels and the desire to master each pilot’s mechanics. Collectibles hidden in harder-to-reach areas reward the thorough explorer, while a two-player co-op mode (where available) doubles the fun and introduces new tactical possibilities. The game’s modest length is offset by the urge to revisit favorite stages and tighten your completion times.

Ultimately, Exo Squad stands as a testament to how licensed games can shine when they embrace variety and respect their source material. It might not redefine the action genre, but it marries solid level design, faithful aesthetics, and engaging mechanics into one cohesive package. For fans of grounded sci-fi mecha action or those seeking an old-school thrill ride with a modern polish, Exo Squad is a compelling choice.

Retro Replay Score

5.7/10