Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

X-Perts delivers a fresh take on side-scrolling action by combining fast-paced combat with strategic character management. You control Shadow Yamoto alongside two companions, freely switching between them to exploit unique fighting styles and special skills. This dynamic team-switching mechanic encourages tactical thinking: you might deploy the heavy-hitting brawler to clear a corridor of robotic guards, then swap to the tech specialist to hack a console before time runs out.

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Central to the experience is the RECOM screen, which functions as your mission dashboard. It maps out the sprawling corridors of the AQUA research lab, pinpoints enemy patrols, highlights objective markers, and even flags environmental hazards like flooded passages or broken power grids. Juggling real-time combat with map-based planning gives the game a layered feel—every decision to split your team or send in a solo operative carries real consequences.

Beyond mere brawling, X-Perts incorporates specialized tasks tied to each character’s engineering or computer science expertise. Activating a security override or repairing a power conduit isn’t instantaneous; it takes time proportional to the character’s skill level. You’ll find yourself balancing the urgency of hack-completion with the risk of leaving your operative vulnerable to enemy attack, which heightens the suspense during key missions.

Adding further depth are the so-called “torture moves,” unique interrogation animations that let you extract intel without outright killing foes. Executed correctly, these moves unlock secret paths or disable traps remotely—botching them, however, results in instant execution and lost opportunities. Even when off-screen, uncontrolled characters will fend for themselves, but their AI is more defensive than proactive, making player oversight critical in crowded hallways.

Graphics

Visually, X-Perts embraces a gritty, high-contrast aesthetic befitting its underwater spy thriller tone. The pixel art environments capture the eerie hum of the AQUA lab, from dimly lit maintenance shafts to neon-accented control rooms. Light sources flicker realistically across damp metal walls, and subtle water effects—like dripping pipelines or flooded floors—add to the immersive atmosphere.

Character sprites are detailed and fluidly animated, especially during combat sequences. Each fighter’s attack animations carry weight, whether it’s Shadow’s lightning-fast blade strikes or the burly companion’s earth-shattering ground pound. Special moves and torture animations are choreographed to stand out—brutal, stylized, and occasionally punctuated by quick bursts of color to emphasize impact.

The user interface integrates seamlessly into the art direction. The RECOM screen, for example, resembles a high-tech sonar display with layered transparencies and subtle scanlines, reinforcing the feeling of operating advanced military gear. Objective markers and health bars remain clear and unobtrusive, ensuring you stay immersed in the action rather than pulled out by clunky HUD elements.

While the game sticks to a 2D plane, its clever use of parallax layers creates a sense of depth in each area. Background turbines spin at a different rate than mid-ground pipelines, and distant neon signage pulses, suggesting a living facility beyond your immediate surroundings. These touches may seem minor, but they collectively elevate X-Perts’ visual identity above the typical side-scroller mold.

Story

X-Perts reimagines Shadow Yamoto’s fate after she survives an assassination attempt by the enigmatic Black Orchid in 1993. Driven by revenge and a desire to root out corruption, Shadow forms the eponymous X-Perts team—a covert anti-terrorist unit operating outside official channels. This backstory grounds the game’s central conflict by making Shadow both avenger and protector.

The narrative kicks into high gear when a rogue faction seizes control of the underwater AQUA research lab, threatening to detonate a doomsday device that could annihilate Earth. From tense infiltration missions to coded transmissions deciphered mid-combat, the plot unfolds through a blend of animated cutscenes and in-game dialogue. These cinematic interludes effectively build suspense, revealing character motivations and raising the stakes for each chapter.

Character dynamics add further nuance. Shadow’s leadership is tested by her companions’ varying ideologies: one may advocate for brutal efficiency, while another pushes for non-lethal extraction of intel. These moral debates are more than window dressing—they can influence which side objectives you tackle and the upgrades you prioritize. It’s a rare side-scroller that weaves ethical choices into its core design.

Throughout its chapters, X-Perts also rewards exploration with optional files and logs scattered across the lab. Discovering these extras deepens your understanding of the AQUA facility’s secret experiments and the terrorists’ true motives. By the time you reach the finale, you’re not just stopping a bomb—you’re uncovering the tangled web of corporate deceit that led to this crisis.

Overall Experience

X-Perts strikes a compelling balance between adrenaline-packed brawls and methodical, puzzle-like challenges. Combat is immediate and visceral, but mission objectives demand patience and foresight—creating a satisfying ebb and flow. The persistent state of each chapter (flooded zones stay flooded, hacked turrets remain disabled) invites strategic replays, as new routes open and previous chokepoints stay neutralized.

Controls are tight and responsive, whether you’re chaining combos in a cramped corridor or juggling map commands on the RECOM screen. Load times between chapters are minimal, and save points feel judiciously placed—rarely interrupting momentum but still giving you room to breathe after major set pieces. The game’s difficulty curve ramps smoothly, offering optional side tasks for those craving a deeper challenge.

Sound design complements the visuals with ambient hums of underwater turbines, distant echoes of dripping water, and a pulse-pounding electronic soundtrack. Voice snippets during critical events lend additional heft to key moments, even if full voice acting is limited. Together, these elements cultivate a tense, immersive environment from start to finish.

For fans of side-scrolling action who appreciate strategic depth and a mature storyline, X-Perts delivers a memorable experience. Its blend of high-octane combat, smart mission design, and a layered narrative sets it apart from conventional brawlers. Whether you’re a longtime Eternal Champions enthusiast or a newcomer drawn by the spy-thriller hook, X-Perts stands as a standout title in its genre.

Retro Replay Score

5.6/10