Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Criticom delivers a straightforward one-on-one fighting experience built around a single, elevated arena where combatants can be knocked out not only by depleting their health meter but also by being sent flying off the platform. This ring-out mechanic adds a layer of spatial awareness to every clash, forcing players to juggle aggression with positioning. Each fighter starts with a full power meter and gains access to a secondary refill only after the first is exhausted, meaning that every exchange can swing dramatically in favor of the more disciplined player.

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The move sets for the eight competitors range from Gorm’s bone-crushing tail slams to Yenji’s nimble blade techniques and Demonica’s supernatural grapples. While combos aren’t as deep as those in more complex fighters, each character has signature special attacks—projectiles, counter-strikes or area‐of‐effect surges—that encourage experimentation. Learning the timing for these moves takes effort, and landing them at the arena edge carries a tantalizing chance to score an instant ring-out.

Single‐player mode consists of climbing through seven CPU opponents before challenging the final boss tied to the crystal artifact, and the AI can vary from overly aggressive to frustratingly defensive. In local versus play, the fast‐paced rounds create intense bouts that rarely overstay their welcome. However, the absence of traditional multi‐round structure means that momentum shifts can feel abrupt, and occasional hit‐detection quirks may leave players wanting more precision.

Graphics

Visually, Criticom is a product of its era, featuring low-polygon models embellished with colorful texture maps that give each fighter a distinct silhouette. The sci-fi arenas float against starfields or industrial complexes, and the elevated platform design ensures backgrounds remain visible at all times. While character animations are serviceable, some move transitions lack smoothness, and certain attacks momentarily clip through the scenery.

Lighting effects around the power meter, energy blasts and impact sparks help communicate the force behind each strike. Stages come with subtle environmental animations—whirring machinery, drifting mist or pulsing crystal cores—that set a moody tone. On the downside, the draw distance can be brief, causing background detail to pop in and out, and texture resolution sometimes appears blurry, especially during close-up camera zooms.

Despite its technical limitations, Criticom’s art direction leans into the cosmic tournament theme with bold color palettes and outlandish character designs. Demonica’s vampiric charisma, Gorm’s reptilian musculature and Yenji’s sleek ninja garb each catch the eye, even if the polygon counts are modest. For those seeking a purely nostalgic trip to mid-’90s fighting visuals, the game still retains a certain retro charm.

Story

At the heart of Criticom lies the pursuit of a mysterious crystal artifact said to grant untold power or insight. Eight fighters from across the galaxy converge on this prize, each driven by personal motives: Gorm seeks to elevate his tribe, Yenji hunts an enemy clan, S.I.D. pursues the meaning of existence, and Demonica craves the thrill of conquest. These premises are conveyed through brief text‐based introductions and static artwork between matches.

Each character’s storyline is more of a framing device than a deep narrative, offering a handful of paragraphs that set the stage for their participation in the tournament. While there’s intrigue in discovering why a vampire-like creature would risk exposure or what a ninja’s vendetta entails, the plot rarely evolves beyond simple bios and victory quotes. There are no branching paths or dialogue choices—once the bout begins, the focus shifts entirely back to the fight.

Nevertheless, the varied backstories imbue the roster with enough personality to make matchups feel personal. Seeing S.I.D. clash with Demonica or Yenji square off against Gorm adds a dash of dramatic context to each encounter. The storytelling may not rival modern narrative fighters, but it provides just enough flavor to justify the intergalactic brawls.

Overall Experience

Criticom offers a concise fighting package that appeals most to retro enthusiasts and fans of sci-fi aesthetics. The ring-out gimmick and dual‐meter system create tense, high-stakes rounds, even though the lack of combo depth and occasional collision oddities can frustrate players accustomed to tighter modern mechanics. Local multiplayer remains its strongest draw, turning brief matches into memorable skirmishes over the crystal prize.

While the graphics and sound design are products of mid-’90s hardware—meaning rough edges, blocky models and limited voice samples—the bold character designs and atmospheric stages still hold nostalgic appeal. Story content is minimal but serviceable, providing a colorful backdrop without bogging down the action with lengthy cut-scenes. Players seeking a heavyweight narrative experience may come away disappointed, but those looking for quick, unpredictable bouts will find something to enjoy.

In the end, Criticom stands as an intriguing relic from an era when 3D fighting games were still carving out their identity. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it assembles an eclectic cast and a simple arena twist into a package that can still spark excitement in head‐to‐head showdowns. For collectors and curious newcomers alike, it’s worth a look—just be prepared to embrace its dated controls and visual style.

Retro Replay Score

5.5/10