Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Hell Cab unfolds as a series of fast-paced mini-games, each tied together by thematic cutscenes. Rather than presenting an open world or branching dialogue, the game thrusts you directly into sword duels, high-speed chases and precision shooting galleries. This arcade-style structure delivers a tactile immediacy—each sequence demands quick reflexes, pattern recognition and rapid decision-making as you navigate through various epochs.

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Controls are simple but occasionally inconsistent, reflecting the game’s early ’90s design. In sword-fighting segments, you’ll parry and thrust using directional inputs paired with a single attack button, while shooting challenges let you aim with the mouse or joystick. Racing sections switch you to a first-person view where you must dodge obstacles and keep your speed up. Though control schemes shift between sequences, each mini-game is introduced with an on-screen prompt that eases you into its mechanics.

Pacing plays a crucial role in Hell Cab’s gameplay loop. You have no choice but to clear one time-period challenge after another, each lasting only a couple of minutes before the next cutscene begins. This brevity keeps boredom at bay, but also makes the game feel somewhat fragmented: you rarely invest enough in one sequence to master it completely before moving on. Ultimately, Hell Cab’s gameplay is best enjoyed in short bursts, or by players who thrive on variety and rapid-fire challenges.

Graphics

Visually, Hell Cab leans heavily on its live-action cutscenes, blending full-motion video (FMV) footage of actors with rudimentary digital backdrops. The cab driver—Satan’s minion—appears in grainy, pre-streaming-era video clips that give the game its distinctive retro horror vibe. While modern eyes may see these as low-resolution and heavily pixelated, they nonetheless carry a certain campy charm.

The transition from FMV to gameplay sequences can be jarring. In one moment, you’re watching real actors in a claustrophobic taxi interior, and in the next, you’re thrust into a 2D sword-fighting arena or a flat, untextured racetrack. These segments feature basic sprite work and limited color palettes, but they do manage to convey the feeling of each era—ancient Rome’s coliseum glow, the verdant Jurassic jungle, or the dusty plains of the Wild West.

Lighting and sound design compensate for the graphical limitations. Machinist-style sound effects—clashing swords, roaring dinosaurs, squealing tires—are convincingly integrated with the visuals, creating an immersive atmosphere despite the simplicity of the on-screen imagery. If you approach Hell Cab expecting polished 3D vistas, you may be disappointed; but if you appreciate early FMV aesthetics as a unique artistic choice, the graphics have a nostalgic allure that enhances the game’s dark humor.

Story

At its core, Hell Cab spins a macabre cautionary tale: a stranded traveler, desperate to reach his destination, hails a mysterious cab only to discover his driver is a servant of the Devil. When he lacks the fare, he’s coerced into a Faustian bargain—adventuring through history’s most perilous epochs in exchange for his soul’s redemption. It’s a simple but effective hook that keeps you invested in each new challenge.

Story progression is delivered entirely through FMV cutscenes, where dialogue and set design flesh out the cab driver’s sinister personality. Though these scenes are short, they’re peppered with darkly comedic lines and playful visuals—walls that drip with blood, hourglasses that count down your fate—lending Hell Cab a campy, horror-show ambiance. The rider’s reactions, often incredulous and panicked, serve as an anchor to the player’s own disbelief.

However, the narrative depth is limited. There are no branching paths or moral choices—every player experiences the same journey through time. This linearity can make the story feel repetitive on subsequent playthroughs, though discovering hidden nods in the cutscenes can still provide small rewards. Hell Cab’s plot excels at setting the mood, but it leaves little room for character development or surprises beyond the change of scenery.

Overall Experience

Hell Cab offers a compact, adrenaline-fueled ride through history’s hazards, held together by its distinctly campy FMV sequences. Fans of short, arcade-style mini-games will appreciate the variety and immediacy of its challenges, but players seeking a deep, narratively driven experience may find its episodic design lacking. It’s a game that demands quick reflexes and a taste for retro aesthetics.

Replay value hinges on mastering each mini-game and seeking out Easter eggs within the cutscenes. While the core loop is repetitive, uncovering all of Hell Cab’s hidden details—subliminal visuals, alternate lines from the driver—adds a layer of collector’s appeal. The game also holds a niche appeal for enthusiasts of FMV relics, offering a glimpse of an era when developers experimented with live-action storytelling in interactive form.

In the end, Hell Cab stands as a unique piece of gaming history—an experimental blend of live video, tongue-in-cheek horror and diverse arcade challenges. It may not satisfy those looking for lush open worlds or in-depth role-playing, but if you’re intrigued by retro FMV titles and enjoy jumping from sword fights to shooting galleries to dinosaur-ridden jungles in a single sitting, Hell Cab is worth the fare.

Retro Replay Score

6/10