Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

RIP: Strike Back expands on the original’s run-and-gun foundation by granting players unprecedented freedom of movement and an arsenal that ranges from stationary turrets to roaring dragons and heavy tanks. You can still man those trusty fixed guns you remember, but now you’re free to pilot a helicopter into the fray or climb into an armored vehicle to mow down waves of human invaders. This variety of playstyles keeps each level feeling fresh as you mix and match weapons to suit your preferred approach.

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The game’s pacing is designed to ramp up steadily: early stages introduce basic enemies and turrets, while mid-game battles put you face-to-face with five distinct boss types, including a mine-deploying tank and a heavily armed gunship. You’ll need to master hit-and-run tactics in cramped corridors, then switch to all-out offense when armored brutes charge in. Toss in the skeletal serfs who scavenge health and ammo pickups for you, and every skirmish becomes a careful balancing act of offense, defense, and resource management.

RIP: Strike Back also brings back the original’s Rush Mode, where you simply survive as long as you can against a never-ending horde. It’s a neat distraction if you’ve just completed the sixty-level main campaign and want to hone your reflexes or top your friends on the leaderboards. Between the sprawling story missions, Rush Mode endurance runs, and a kid-friendly variant with flowers in place of blood, there’s plenty of gameplay to keep both newcomers and veterans engaged.

Graphics

Graphically, RIP: Strike Back strikes a balance between grotesque horror and cartoony flair. Each hero—Death, Halloween, and Rock-n-Roll—sports detailed mid-level avatars that visibly transform as you upgrade. You’ll watch rows of bullets sprout from skeletal arms, witness massive fangs emerge during strength boosts, and admire polished iron helmets during defensive lifts. These visual cues not only look cool, they also signal your progress at a glance.

The environments are equally striking, with The Other World’s twisted landscapes contrasting sharply with the humans’ drab, industrial outposts. Fiery caverns, haunted graveyards, and ruined cityscapes are rendered in bold colors and dynamic lighting, creating a sense of dread that’s still playful enough for younger audiences in the toned-down mode. Special effects—explosions, dragon breath, turret muzzle flashes—pop vividly, making every skirmish feel explosive.

With sixty story levels and additional training stages, the art team had plenty of ground to cover, and you’ll notice recurring themes and visual Easter eggs that reward careful observers. Whether you’re darting across snow-capped peaks or storming a jungle fortress, each setting is packed with small details that enrich the game world without ever detracting from the frantic action on screen.

Story

At its core, RIP: Strike Back delivers a simple but effective premise: humanity, under General Wildboar’s iron fist, has banned all holidays and celebrations on Earth. Determined to stamp out every spark of joy, they breach into The Other World for the first time—only to discover that the realm of Death, Halloween, and Rock-n-Roll won’t go down without a fight. The stakes are high, the tone is tongue-in-cheek, and the narrative zips along with tongue-in-cheek cutscenes and boss introductions that lean into the game’s irreverent humor.

The pacing of the story mode is punctuated by escalating threats: as you push deeper into human territory, you learn more about General Wildboar’s diabolical plan to erase merriment from existence. Each major boss encounter feels like a narrative milestone, with brief interludes that reveal how the invaders have warped mundane objects (tanks, helicopters) into monstrous war machines. The keepsake skeletal serfs even crack the occasional joke, grounding the otherworldly conflict in a playful camaraderie.

While the plot isn’t heavy on twists, it provides enough context to motivate your ghostly champions through sixty challenging stages. If you’re in it purely for the carnage, you’ll still appreciate the light world-building: everyday human fears—of death, darkness, conformity—are woven into the level design, lending the game a thematic coherence that lifts it above mere “shoot everything that moves” fare.

Overall Experience

RIP: Strike Back is a triumphant sequel that honors the chaotic spirit of the original while expanding its toolkit in every respect. The varied arsenal, from dragons to tanks, keeps gameplay feeling robust across dozens of hours. Whether you’re a completionist aiming to unlock every upgrade or a speedrunner chasing Rush Mode high scores, the game delivers ample replay value.

Newcomers will find the difficulty curve well-tuned: early levels serve as a solid tutorial, while later stages demand finesse, quick reflexes, and strategic use of your skeletal serfs to stay alive. Fans of the first R.I.P. installment will be rewarded by the deeper customization and the satisfying visual transformations of their avatars. The option to switch to a blood-free, flower-strewn “kids” mode also makes it a rare action title that can be enjoyed by younger players.

In sum, RIP: Strike Back offers a cohesive package of frantic combat, memorable visuals, and a playful storyline. It may not reinvent the genre, but it refines every element that made its predecessor a cult hit. If you’re looking for an action-packed ride through a twisted afterlife with plenty of humor and heart, this is one invasion you’ll be happy to join.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10