Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Cure delivers a classic arcade jump & run experience that will feel instantly familiar to fans of Konami’s Vampire Killer and the Castlevania series. From the moment you press start, you’ll guide the whip-wielding hero through a series of platforming challenges, enemy encounters, and hidden bonuses. The level design balances tight, precise jumps with opportunities to explore branching paths, especially around destructible candles and breakable secret walls. Whether you’re dashing across moving platforms or timing a leap over a pit of spikes, the controls remain responsive and intuitive throughout.

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Combat in The Cure revolves around mastery of your whip and judicious use of subweapons. You begin each level armed only with your trusty whip, forcing you to decide whether to engage every foe or conserve hearts for tougher battles. Keys scattered throughout the stages unlock chests brimming with power-ups: temporary invincibility, whip upgrades that extend your reach, or subweapons like throwing daggers and a time-freezing hourglass. Each subweapon has its own strategic niche, giving you the freedom to adapt your approach to different enemy types and level layouts.

Progression is punctuated by swap-screen “scrolling,” which brings back the tactile feel of 8-bit adventure gaming. As you move off one screen, the next area seamlessly loads in, revealing hidden alcoves or surprise enemy ambushes. This design choice encourages exploration, rewarding players who whip down candles on castle walls or uncover secret rooms tucked behind false backgrounds. Overall, the gameplay loop is built around risk versus reward, skill-based platforming, and the thrill of discovering every secret in a level.

Graphics

The Cure makes impressive use of the MSX hardware, combining both hardware sprites and plotted graphics to craft its gothic world. The demonic landscape setting is rich with dark reds and ominous blacks, punctuated by the flicker of torches and the glow of hidden treasure chests. Character sprites are detailed enough to distinguish different monster types—bats, skeletons, floating skulls—while maintaining smooth animations that keep the action fluid.

Castle interiors evoke nostalgia for classic Castlevania titles, featuring ornate stone archways, iron-barred windows, and crumbling pillars. Background tiles are layered to create a sense of depth, and subtle parallax effects heighten the atmosphere when you move between foreground and background elements. The hero himself is immediately recognizable: a figure styled like Robert Smith wearing Mega Man’s attire, complete with flowing hair and a distinct silhouette that stands out against the murky backdrop.

Special effects, such as the flash when you collect an invincibility power-up or the icy freeze that engulfs enemies when you deploy the hourglass subweapon, are handled with crisp, colorful animations. Even on the original MSX system, these effects pop without sacrificing frame rate. Each level’s palette shifts slightly to reflect the escalating danger—from blood-red swamps to shadowy dungeons—ensuring that both longtime retro enthusiasts and new players alike will find plenty to admire.

Story

The Cure’s narrative is straightforward yet evocative: you play as a lone hero determined to vanquish the ultimate evil known simply as “the One.” The game opens in a cursed wasteland teeming with demonic minions, and your journey quickly leads you to a foreboding castle reminiscent of classic horror settings. Though there’s little in the way of dialogue or cutscenes, each level’s design tells its own story of decay, danger, and lurking terror.

While the plot doesn’t branch or feature elaborate character arcs, it provides a solid framework that justifies every whip crack and subweapon blast. You’ll feel the stakes rise as you penetrate deeper into the One’s stronghold: walls become more ornate, enemies grow stronger, and the music takes on a more urgent tone. The minimal storytelling allows the gameplay and atmosphere to shine, giving players the freedom to project their own sense of heroism onto the adventure.

Fans of old-school action-platformers will appreciate how The Cure pays homage to its inspirations without relying on direct narrative callbacks. The game’s pacing—alternating between open outdoor stages and claustrophobic castle corridors—maintains momentum, driving you onward toward the final confrontation. In an era where many indie titles overcomplicate their tales, The Cure reminds us that a lean, focused storyline can still deliver a compelling journey.

Overall Experience

The Cure stands out as a shining example of what dedicated homebrew developers can achieve on vintage hardware. Winning the MSXdev’05 coding competition, it captures the magic of 8-bit classics while introducing its own twists on level design, combat, and exploration. Every aspect—from the responsive controls to the rewarding secret hunts—feels polished, as though it were a lost cartridge unearthed from the ’80s.

Players seeking a challenging yet fair platformer will find The Cure hard to put down. Its difficulty curve is well-tuned, with each new power-up and subweapon adding layers of strategy without overwhelming newcomers. The swap-screen format, combined with tightly drawn sprites and atmospheric backgrounds, makes for a cohesive package that marries nostalgia with fresh design sensibilities.

Ultimately, The Cure offers a hauntingly delightful trip back to the golden age of action-platformers. Whether you’re exploring wind-swept dunes of demonic rock or battling skeletal foes in candlelit hallways, the game consistently delivers moments of tension, excitement, and discovery. For anyone who cherishes retro gaming or simply craves a well-crafted jump & run adventure, The Cure is a must-play title.

Retro Replay Score

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