Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Lanfeust de Troy delivers a robust beat-’em-all experience that will feel instantly familiar to fans of action brawlers, yet it spices up the formula with inventive touches drawn directly from the beloved comics. You’ll guide Lanfeust and his companions through a series of 3D stages that span deep jungles, snowy peaks, and bustling medieval cities. Combat is fast-paced and responsive, with each character—Lanfeust, Hebus, Nicolède, and Cixi—boasting unique weapons and magical abilities that encourage varied playstyles.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Beyond the core hack-and-slash, the developers have peppered the adventure with charming 2D minigames that appear at key story moments. Whether you’re smashing crates in a troll­-sized whack­a­-mole challenge, solving a sage’s puzzle with Nicolède’s bombs, or navigating a whip-based platformer as Cixi, these diversions inject welcome variety and break up the action. Best of all, each minigame you conquer remains unlocked in the gallery, letting you revisit your favorites anytime.

The addition of a comprehensive Bestiary is another highlight. By vanquishing foes and uncovering hidden areas, you’ll gradually populate an encyclopedia of Troy’s monsters—complete with lore tidbits and weaknesses. For multiplayer enthusiasts, the game supports cooperative play (one cartridge per player), where coordinating elemental spells and melee combos with a friend elevates the challenge and the fun.

Graphics

On the dual screens, Lanfeust de Troy showcases surprisingly detailed environments that capture the spirit of the original comics. Forest canopies rustle with life, ice­-capped peaks glitter realistically, and torchlit dungeon corridors exude an atmospheric gloom. Character models are well-animated, and each protagonist’s special move is rendered with colorful flair—flashes of magic, crackling energy, and dramatic slow­motion strikes bring the panels of the comic book to life.

While hardware limitations occasionally lead to jagged edges or pop-in at a distance, these moments are infrequent and rarely detract from the overall aesthetic. Background details—like animated wildlife, drifting snow, and fluttering banners—add depth to each setting. Boss arenas often employ dynamic camera angles that heighten the sense of scale when facing off against towering ogres, pirate captains, or other iconic villains.

The user interface is clean and unobtrusive, with health bars, magic meters, and combo indicators neatly arranged at the edges of both screens. Menus for the Bestiary and minigame selection are illustrated with colorful comic-style art, reinforcing the game’s European graphic-novel roots. Overall, the visual presentation is a solid blend of technical prowess and artistic homage.

Story

Fans of the Lanfeust comics will appreciate how faithfully the game adapts the world of Troy. You slip into the shoes of Lanfeust, the blacksmith apprentice whose latent powers have already altered the fate of the realm once before. This time, he faces his arch-nemesis Torkon—known colloquially (and somewhat confusingly) as Thanos in translation—whose dark ambitions threaten to plunge Troy into chaos anew.

The narrative unfolds across a series of distinctly flavored chapters, each introducing memorable allies and adversaries. Early levels have you rescuing Hebus the troll from a pirate raid, then teaming up with Nicolède the sage to foil a bomb-toting conspiracy. Cixi’s arrival mid-campaign adds fresh personality and combat capabilities, as her whip­-and-magic combo offers a different tactical angle. Dialogue is peppered with humor and witty banter that echo the original writers’ tone.

Side quests and hidden areas deepen the lore, rewarding exploration with journal entries, character profiles, and Bestiary unlocks. Though the main plot follows a fairly straightforward “rescue and defeat the villain” trajectory, frequent set-pieces—like infiltrating a volcanic forge or navigating an ice labyrinth—keep the pacing brisk. Overall, the story complements the gameplay without ever overstaying its welcome.

Overall Experience

Lanfeust de Troy succeeds as a loving adaptation of a celebrated comic-book universe, offering engaging combat, varied minigames, and a charming sense of adventure. Its replay value is bolstered by collectible Bestiary entries and a buffet of unlockable minigames that invite you to master each challenge. Cooperative play further extends the fun, turning every boss fight into a collaborative spectacle.

Though occasional graphical hiccups and a somewhat linear stage layout hold it back from true greatness, the game’s strengths far outweigh its minor flaws. The tight controls, dynamic character roster, and spirited presentation make it a standout title for fans of action-adventure and beat-’em-up genres. Even seasoned players will find new surprises hidden in every jungle clearing and snowdrift.

In sum, Lanfeust de Troy is a delightful journey through a vividly realized world, sure to please devotees of the comics and newcomers alike. Its blend of swordplay, sorcery, and lighthearted camaraderie makes for an experience that’s both accessible and richly rewarding. Whether you’re aiming to complete every minigame, fill out the Bestiary, or simply revel in the heroic saga, Troy awaits with open arms—and plenty of monsters to smash.

Retro Replay Score

null/10