Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Kick Master offers a refreshing blend of precision platforming and action-RPG progression, putting you directly in the shoes of Thonolan, an aspiring martial artist on a quest to rescue Princess Silphee. The core mechanic revolves around a varied kicking system—slide kicks, flying kicks, roundhouse kicks, and even a nimble butterfly kick—each with its own use case against different enemy types. As you dispatch foes, you’ll collect randomized item drops that replenish health or magic, grant extra lives, deal self-damage, or boost experience points.

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The experience-based leveling system is one of Kick Master’s standout features. Every time Thoalan levels up, his maximum MP increases, enabling the use of more powerful kicks and spells. Picking up new spells—ranging from offensive fire blasts to protective shields or restorative heals—adds an extra strategic layer. Managing your MP and health resources becomes crucial, especially in longer stages or boss battles, where a well-timed magic shield or healing spell can turn the tide in Thoalan’s favor.

Enemy placement and stage design keep the difficulty ramping steadily. Early levels ease you in with basic foot soldiers and simple platform jumps, but later environments introduce hazards like crumbling ledges, swinging logs, and flying demons that punish mistimed leaps. Boss encounters, most notably against Belzed’s lieutenants, force you to leverage your full move set: alternating high and low kicks, strafing around projectiles, and saving MP for critical healing. The result is a satisfying challenge that rewards practice and mastery.

Graphics

Visually, Kick Master embraces the 16-bit era’s charm with richly detailed sprites and colorful backdrops. Thoalan’s animations are particularly well-executed—his roundhouse kick flows smoothly from wind-up to follow-through, while his flying kick feels weighty and impactful. Enemy characters, from grotesque skeletal warriors to horned demons, each possess distinct designs that help you anticipate their attack patterns at a glance.

The backgrounds range from misty forest glades to fiery volcanic caverns, each stage featuring layered parallax scrolling that imparts depth. Subtle touches—like flickering torchlight in castle hallways or drifting embers in lava zones—enhance the immersion. Even item pickups have clear, expressive icons, so you never have to pause to wonder if you’ve grabbed an MP potion or a damaging skull.

While Kick Master doesn’t push cutting-edge effects, its art direction remains cohesive and appealing. The color palette shifts appropriately between levels to convey mood—cool blues and greens in kingdom ruins, warm reds and oranges in the Inferno stage—and the boss arenas often feature dramatic backdrops that underscore the stakes of each confrontation. All told, the graphics contribute strongly to the game’s overall sense of adventure.

Story

The narrative premise is straightforward but effective: the evil wizard Belzed has slaughtered Lowrel’s king and queen and kidnapped Princess Silphee, leaving the realm in chaos. Your character, Thonolan, is a young martial artist with dreams of greatness, suddenly thrust into the role of hero. This setup provides clear motivation for your journey through diverse and often perilous territories.

Although storytelling in Kick Master is delivered primarily through brief text interludes at the start and end of stages, the stakes feel tangible. The kidnapping of Silphee and the tyranny of Belzed add weight to every battle. Occasional NPC encounters—such as villagers who cheer your progress or magicians who teach you new spells—also lend a sense of a living world under siege.

As the game progresses, Thoalan’s growth is reflected not only in gameplay skills but in subtle narrative moments. A heroic rescue of a captive farmer or a terse exchange with Belzed’s minions hint at the wizard’s growing desperation. When you finally face Belzed himself, the confrontation feels earned, culminating in a satisfying finale that ties together the game’s central themes of courage and mastery.

Overall Experience

Kick Master successfully melds platforming precision with RPG-style character development, resulting in a gameplay loop that is both addictive and rewarding. Leveling up feels meaningful, and the steady introduction of new kicks and spells keeps combat feeling fresh from start to finish. The difficulty curve is firm but fair, accommodating players who enjoy honing their skills through repeated playthroughs.

Graphically, the game stands as a testament to well-crafted 16-bit artistry: sprites are expressive, backgrounds are atmospheric, and special effects—though modest—are used judiciously to heighten key moments. The minimal yet purposeful storytelling provides just enough context to invest in Thoalan’s mission without bogging down the action with lengthy cutscenes.

For fans of side-scrolling action and retro-inspired platformers, Kick Master offers a memorable experience. Its blend of tight controls, varied move sets, and a light RPG progression system ensures that each level presents new challenges. Whether you’re aiming to rescue the princess, master every kick, or simply enjoy a classic-style quest against the forces of darkness, Kick Master delivers an engaging adventure worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10