Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Fightbox captures the thrilling spirit of the BBC TV series by letting you design and build your own virtual warrior from the ground up. You begin by choosing a base archetype—be it a hulking bruiser focused on raw strength, a lithe speedster built for agility, or a ranged fighter wielding specialized weapons. From this initial choice, you invest attribute points in strength, speed, endurance, and weapon proficiency, tailoring your athlete’s capabilities for the challenges ahead.

(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 👍)

Once your fighter is customized, the game leads you through a series of gladiatorial-style events that echo the TV show’s signature mix of athleticism and strategy. You’ll grapple and brawl with rival warriors on moving platforms, engage in one-on-one duels in hazardous arenas, and compete in point-based skirmishes where timing and precision earn you crucial upgrades. Each successful trial grants experience that you can channel back into upgrading your fighter’s stats or unlocking new equipment, adding a rewarding progression loop.

Beyond the adaptations of the original TV arenas, Fightbox introduces four fresh arenas exclusive to the retail release. These new battlegrounds bring novel environmental hazards—spinning obstacles, collapsible floors, and dynamic traps—that keep the competition unpredictable. Combined with tight AI behavior that ramps up in difficulty, the result is a gameplay experience that balances nostalgia for the series with fresh challenges, ensuring players stay engaged whether they’re replaying familiar events or exploring brand-new ones.

Graphics

Visually, Fightbox strikes a solid balance between stylized character design and functional clarity. The fighter models are well-proportioned, with muscular detail or sleek frames that reflect your stat allocations, and weapon textures pop with metallic shine or energy glows. While it doesn’t push cutting-edge realism, the art direction remains faithful to the high-octane, sci-fi-inspired aesthetic of the TV series.

The arenas themselves are where the graphics truly shine. From the fiery pits of the original Coliseum to frost-coated platforms and neon-lit chambers in the new levels, each environment feels distinct and atmospheric. Lighting effects—sparks from clashing weapons, dynamic shadows cast by moving platforms—add to the immersion and help you gauge danger zones at a glance. The HUD is unobtrusive yet informative, displaying health, stamina, and score counters without cluttering the screen.

Occasional frame dips can be noticed when multiple fighters and environmental hazards converge, especially on crowded platforms. However, these moments are infrequent and rarely disrupt the flow of combat. Overall, Fightbox’s graphics uphold the drama and spectacle you’d expect from a gladiatorial arena, enhancing the thrill of each match rather than detracting from it.

Story

While Fightbox is predominantly action-focused, it weaves a simple yet motivating narrative around your quest to become the 7th Sentient. Each tournament bracket you conquer brings you closer to the ultimate prize: joining the ranks of the Sentients, an elite order of warrior-champions. This overarching goal provides a clear throughline as you progress through tougher opponents and increasingly hazardous arenas.

Between matches, brief cutscenes and on-screen text deliver glimpses of the Sentients’ lore—cryptic hints about their origins, commentary from an unseen host, and rival warriors’ taunts. Though not cinematic in scope, these narrative interludes give context to your victories and losses, offering moments of world-building without pulling you away from the action for too long. For fans of the TV series, these callbacks feel authentic and deepen the sense of immersion.

That said, if you’re seeking a deep, character-driven storyline with branching dialogue and moral choices, Fightbox may not fully satisfy that desire. The narrative functions primarily as glue holding the tournaments together, rather than as a complex drama. Nevertheless, it succeeds in motivating your progression and framing each battle as a meaningful step toward the ultimate accolade.

Overall Experience

Fightbox delivers a satisfying blend of customization, competitive events, and faithful adaptation of its BBC TV predecessor. The core loop—build your fighter, tackle a series of test events, earn upgrades, and face tougher rivals—remains compelling throughout. Thanks to the inclusion of both classic and new arenas, the title offers strong replay value whether you’re a series aficionado or a newcomer seeking varied combat challenges.

Multiplayer modes expand the longevity even further, allowing you to pit custom warriors against friends or online opponents. These head-to-head matches highlight the game’s balance system: a speed-specialist might outmaneuver a brute in one-on-one combat, while a heavily armored brawler could overwhelm a more agile foe in close quarters. Such dynamics encourage experimentation with stats and weapons to find a playstyle that suits you.

While not without minor performance hiccups, Fightbox stands out as an engaging arena combat experience with enough depth to keep you invested through multiple playthroughs. Its visual style, progression mechanics, and nostalgic ties to the TV series combine into a package that’s both accessible for newcomers and rewarding for veteran fighters. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the ring and claiming the title of Sentient, this game brings that fantasy vividly to life.

Retro Replay Score

null/10