Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Giants: Citizen Kabuto seamlessly blends real-time strategy mechanics with fast-paced action, putting you in control of three wildly distinct factions. As a Mecc pilot, you’ll erect defensive turrets, manage resource nodes, and command troops with a handful of keystrokes, all while jet-packing across expansive landscapes. The simplified RTS interface means you spend less time navigating menus and more time diving into the heart of combat.

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Switching to the Reaper campaign introduces a mystical flavor to your arsenal. These cold-blooded warriors rely on stealth, aquatic mobility, and psychic attacks that contrast sharply with the Meccs’ “boom-and-bust” tactics. Unlocking new Reaper upgrades feels rewarding, especially when you unleash a well-timed warp or lethal ambush on unsuspecting Mecc outposts.

Finally, embodying Kabuto himself turns the game into a pure action spectacle. Towering over your foes, you can rip apart buildings, devour Smarties for health, and execute bone-crushing wrestling moves. Kabuto’s control scheme is intuitive, offering a satisfying blend of raw power moves and surprisingly nimble leaps. Whether you’re laying waste to Mecc bunkers or facing off against other players, the giant monster gameplay stands out as a show-stealer.

Multiplayer modes expand the replayability further. Standard deathmatch and capture-the-flag variants are joined by “Capture the Smartie,” where you literally carry glowing creatures to your base. For those who crave strategy, you can enable base-building in multiplayer, leading to frantic skirmishes over resource nodes. The varied victory conditions and faction abilities keep matches unpredictable and fun.

Beyond faction play, mission-based single-player levels offer unique objectives—rescuing stranded Smarties, retrieving lost artifacts, or defending vital structures against waves of rippers. These missions balance the strategic elements with arcade-style objectives, ensuring you’re always switching up your tactics. The result is a gameplay loop that feels fresh from start to finish.

Graphics

Upon launch, Giants: Citizen Kabuto presents a vibrantly colored alien world alive with detail. Lush forests, craggy mountains, and crystal-clear lagoons serve as dynamic battlegrounds for your interspecies conflict. The vivid palette makes every biome feel distinct, whether you’re skimming over Reaper underwater outposts or trudging through scorched Mecc barrens.

Character models are impressively varied given the game’s era. Mecc soldiers wobble under the recoil of their oversized guns, Reapers glide with fluid motions, and Kabuto himself stomps the ground with a palpable sense of weight. The humor injected into animations—like Kabuto’s playful tail wag after a successful bite—adds charm to the carnage.

Environmental interactions further enhance immersion. You can flatten flora underfoot, send trees flying with a well-placed rocket, or set brush ablaze with fiery attacks. These destructive details aren’t just for show; they dynamically reshape the landscape, opening new paths or revealing hidden Smartie caches.

Lighting and particle effects elevate special abilities and weapon fire. Rockets trail bright smoke, psychic blasts swirl with ethereal glow, and Kabuto’s ground pound sends shockwaves rippling across the terrain. Though dated by modern standards, these effects still pop with a cartoony flair that avoids the gloom of more serious shooters.

Cutscenes and in-engine dialogue sequences maintain consistent visual quality. Voiceovers sync well with character lip movements, and the surreal set pieces—like an underwater Reaper temple—demonstrate the engine’s flexibility. Overall, the graphics style may lean toward the goofy side, but it perfectly complements the game’s tongue-in-cheek tone.

Story

The narrative of Giants: Citizen Kabuto kicks off with a classic “stranded colonists” setup. The Meccs crash-land on an alien planet only to discover hostile natives and one very hungry monster. This premise sets the stage for a lighthearted yet engaging tale of survival and supremacy.

Reapers, the planet’s original denizens, deliver an intriguing subplot. Forced to retreat to their underwater cities by Kabuto’s rampage, they harbor bitter resentment toward both the newcomers and their own monstrous jailer. Playing through their campaign reveals a culture steeped in mysticism, adding depth to the overall conflict.

Kabuto’s storyline flips the script: you’re the apex predator seeking nothing more than to sate your hunger and prove your dominance. While the monster lacks dialogue, cinematic interludes and environmental storytelling convey his world-domination ambitions. This silent protagonist approach keeps the focus on visceral action rather than lengthy cutscenes.

Humor is woven throughout every mission briefing and in-game quip. NPC banter ranges from slapstick to witty one-liners, and the Smarties’ high-pitched squeals never fail to amuse. The script strikes a balance between parodying strategy tropes and delivering genuinely memorable moments, such as a Mecc general’s frantic plea for backup amid a ripper onslaught.

The pacing of the single-player campaign ensures each race gets its moment to shine. You transition smoothly between Mecc gadgetry, Reaper subterfuge, and Kabuto’s brute force, preventing any sense of repetition. By the final mission, the narrative threads converge in satisfying climaxes that feel earned rather than tacked on.

Overall Experience

Giants: Citizen Kabuto stands out as a bold experiment in genre hybridization, marrying base-building and resource management with visceral third-person action. Few games before or since have allowed you to switch from commanding troops to playing as a colossal monster without missing a beat. This variety keeps the core experience constantly invigorated.

While the AI can occasionally lapse into predictable patterns and some mission objectives feel derivative by today’s standards, the gameplay innovations and humorous presentation largely compensate. Matches in multiplayer remain chaotic and fun, and the single-player campaign offers enough twists to maintain momentum across dozens of levels.

The game’s age shows in some texture resolution and occasional frame dips on modern hardware, but its colorful art direction and enthusiastic audio design mitigate technical shortcomings. More importantly, the core mechanics are timeless: stomping on enemies as a giant, outsmarting foes with stealth, or coordinating a base assault never grows stale.

For players seeking an offbeat RTS with robust action elements, Giants: Citizen Kabuto remains a hidden gem. Its playful tone, diverse gameplay modes, and memorable factions create a cult classic that stands apart from typical strategy or shooter fare. Whether you’re hosting a LAN party or diving into the solo campaign, this game delivers unique thrills.

In the end, Citizens of Kabuto offers a delightful blend of strategy, humor, and monster mayhem. Its inventive premise and balanced execution ensure that even after years, it still feels like an exhilarating ride across an alien world. For those willing to embrace its quirks, Giants: Citizen Kabuto is an adventure worth experiencing.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10