Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Legendo’s The Three Musketeers places you firmly in the boots of Porthos, blending classic platforming with light combat elements. From the very first moment, you’ll notice the game’s commitment to simplicity: one button to jump, one to strike with your trusty sword, and intuitive directional controls that let you focus on timing rather than complicated inputs. This ease of control makes the title accessible to newcomers, while still offering enough challenge for seasoned players looking to master its nuances.

The level design cleverly ramps up difficulty as you progress through France—from the shadowy halls of Count Xavier’s castle to the sunlit fields of a quaint Norman village. Moving platforms, rolling wine barrels, swinging axes, and other hazards demand precision and quick reflexes. While some obstacles feel familiar from other platformers, the medieval theme keeps each encounter fresh, as you dodge flaming arrows or leap across collapsing drawbridges.

Combat encounters are primarily sword duels with enemy soldiers, interspersed with ranged threats like archers and monstrous spiders. Though each duel follows a straightforward approach—timed strikes and blocks—enemy patterns vary enough to keep you engaged. The satisfaction of defeating a skilled opponent or narrowly evading a charging barrel underscores the game’s balance between action and exploration.

Between levels, cartoon-like cut-scenes advance the narrative, offering glimpses of Porthos’s camaraderie with Aramis, Athos, and D’Artagnan. These interludes not only break up the gameplay but also reinforce your motivation: rescue your friends and thwart Count Xavier’s nefarious schemes. The result is a cohesive experience that keeps you invested in both the action and the story.

Graphics

Visually, The Three Musketeers employs a side-scrolling 3D engine reminiscent of Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, delivering vibrant environments with a handcrafted feel. Castle interiors are dimly lit and atmospheric, with flickering torches casting long shadows, while exterior stages showcase rolling hills, lush forests, and detailed village architecture. Each backdrop is layered to create depth, making the world feel alive despite the linear progression.

Character models are well-defined, with Porthos’s broad-shouldered silhouette standing out clearly against complex backgrounds. Enemy designs range from uniformed soldiers to grotesque spiders, each animated smoothly during attacks and defeats. Though the polygon count isn’t cutting-edge by modern standards, careful use of textures and dynamic lighting elevates the presentation beyond simple sprite-based platformers.

Cut-scenes adopt a cartoon-like aesthetic, using hand-drawn-style art to depict dramatic moments and humorous exchanges between the Musketeers. These interludes are charming and effectively contrast with the in-game graphics, adding personality to each character and emphasizing the game’s swashbuckling tone. While transitions between gameplay and cut-scenes can be abrupt, the art style itself remains consistent and appealing.

Performance is stable throughout, with minimal pop-in or slowdown even when multiple hazards and enemies appear on screen. Whether you’re navigating tight corridors or sprinting through open fields, the frame rate remains smooth, ensuring that split-second jumps and sword strikes feel responsive and precise.

Story

Inspired by Alexandre Dumas’s classic novel, Legendo’s adaptation centers on Porthos, who must rescue his fellow Musketeers after Count Xavier’s forces ambush them at a local inn. This perspective shift offers a fresh narrative angle, allowing players to experience the Brothers’ world through Porthos’s eyes. His witty banter and unwavering loyalty bring the beloved character to life, even in the absence of his comrades.

As you journey across France, the narrative unfolds through brief but impactful cut-scenes. These moments reveal the Count’s dark ambitions and the resilience of the Musketeers’ bond. While the plot follows familiar tropes—rescue missions, infiltrations, final showdowns—it’s the pacing and character interactions that keep you engaged, balancing lighter moments of humor with high-stakes drama.

Dialogue is concise, avoiding lengthy exposition in favor of punchy exchanges that propel the action forward. This streamlined storytelling works well in a platformer context, ensuring you spend more time playing than reading. Yet, the core themes of friendship, bravery, and honor resonate throughout, capturing the spirit of Dumas’s original work.

Although some purists may miss deeper explorations of courtly intrigue or romantic subplots, the game’s focus on action-oriented sequences and swift pacing makes it ideal for players seeking adventure over political nuance. Ultimately, the story serves its purpose: it provides motivation, context, and emotional stakes that enhance every spike trap and sword duel.

Overall Experience

Legendo’s The Three Musketeers offers a well-rounded platforming adventure that marries accessible gameplay with a classic swashbuckling narrative. Its straightforward controls, varied level design, and engaging cut-scenes create a cohesive experience that appeals to both fans of the Musketeers and those simply looking for a polished side-scrolling challenge.

The game shines in its ability to balance difficulty—each level introduces new mechanics at a comfortable pace, while optional relics hidden throughout encourage exploration and replayability. Whether you’re timing leaps over rolling barrels or mastering a tough duel against an elite soldier, every success feels earned, thanks to responsive controls and fair design.

Graphically, The Three Musketeers may not redefine the genre, but its charming art direction and stable performance more than compensate for any technical limitations. The storytelling, though concise, remains faithful to the spirit of Dumas’s work, giving emotional weight to Porthos’s quest without dragging the pace.

For players seeking a traditional platformer with a historical twist, Legendo’s The Three Musketeers delivers an entertaining, bite-sized adventure. Its combination of accessible combat, scenic locales, and a timeless story makes it a worthy addition to any fan’s library or a delightful starting point for newcomers to the Musketeer legend.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10