Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Crow: City of Angels throws players into a straightforward 3D fighting gauntlet where Ashe must carve a path through waves of Judah’s henchmen. Movement is mapped cleanly to the D-pad or analog stick, and attacks range from close-quarters jabs and kicks to pick-up weapons scattered around each arena. As you close the distance to your foes, input combinations yield different strikes, allowing for light jabs, heavy overhead smashes, or quick counters if timed correctly.

(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 👍)

Weapon variety is one of the game’s most satisfying hooks. Pistols and shotguns give Ashe some ranged options, while melee weapons like pool cues, steel pipes or drums add a crunchy, visceral edge to combat. You’ll need to juggle ammo scarcity against the risk of getting too close; sometimes unleashing a shotgun blast from cover is your best bet to control the crowd. The weapon pickups feel organic, and seeing a pipe fly into your hands just as you need it adds a welcome sense of improvisation.

Each level is structured as a series of interconnected screens—an alleyway here, a derelict warehouse there—punctuated by checkpoint flashes. Enemies respawn behind you if you push forward too fast, making it essential to clear each area before moving on. Although this design can feel repetitive, it does foster a methodical patrol-and-clear pace that mirrors Ashe’s relentless hunt for Judah’s lieutenants.

Boss encounters break up the grunt work with larger health pools and unique move sets. These fights lean heavily on pattern recognition and careful weapon management, rewarding players who learn enemy tells. While there’s no unlockable combo tree or leveling system, mastering the timing for parries and counter-strikes offers a rudimentary but engaging sense of progression.

Graphics

Visually, The Crow: City of Angels leans into its dark, gothic aesthetic, bathing city streets and industrial backdrops in muted blues and grays. Light sources—street lamps, flickering neon signs—cast dramatic shadows that underscore the game’s noir-inspired atmosphere. Though the polygon counts and texture resolutions reflect the era’s hardware limits, the art direction does a solid job of sustaining immersion.

Character models are blocky by modern standards, yet Ashe’s signature trench coat billows convincingly as he moves, and the henchmen display distinctive silhouettes—motorcycle jackets, bandanas, or spiked shoulder pads—so you can identify foes at a glance. Weapon pickups adopt simple but readable icons, ensuring you never fumble when grabbing that crucial shotgun or throwing knife.

Animation quality is serviceable: combos flow with enough fluidity to feel weighty, though occasional clipping or stiff poses pop up during transition frames. Environmental details like stacked crates, flickering TV monitors, and graffiti-littered walls add texture to each level. Occasional fog or particle effects—sparks when metal meets metal—help mask draw-in and soften the edges of distant scenery.

Technical hiccups are few but noteworthy. Frame rate dips can occur when multiple enemies converge on Ashe, especially in tighter corridors. Load times between screens are brief but can interrupt immersion if you’re chaining fights. Overall, the graphics hold up for a mid-90s release, conveying the film’s brooding tone without overpromising on fidelity.

Story

The narrative of The Crow: City of Angels stays remarkably faithful to its cinematic source. Ashe, resurrected by the mysterious crow spirit, embarks on a one-man crusade to avenge his and his son’s brutal murders. The game uses title cards and brief cutscenes—some with digitized stills from the film—to advance the plot, ensuring players understand the stakes without lengthy exposition.

Each major henchman encounter is prefaced by a snippet of dialogue or a static image that highlights their personality and role within Judah’s criminal network. While voice samples are limited and occasionally grainy, they add an authentic flavor straight out of the movie’s audio tracks. Ashe himself remains stoic and driven, speaking only when necessary, which reinforces his status as a brooding antihero.

Pacing is driven more by level progression than by narrative twists. You won’t find branching paths or moral choices—your journey is linear and focused. Yet the concise storytelling means there’s little filler: each fight serves a purpose, bringing Ashe one step closer to Judah’s inner circle. Fans of the film will appreciate the reverence to the source material, even if newcomers may find the plot barebones.

The final showdown offers a satisfying crescendo, complete with a dramatic environment and thematic nods to the climactic film sequence. While the game doesn’t attempt to expand the Crow universe with new lore or side missions, it captures the essence of the revenge tale in a tidy, action-packed package.

Overall Experience

The Crow: City of Angels delivers a no-frills action experience anchored by its dark, revenge-driven premise and a diverse arsenal of weapons. Combat is straightforward enough for newcomers to pick up quickly, but seasoned players can eke out tighter combos and more efficient clears through practice. Level design emphasizes backtracking and choke-point tactics, which may feel repetitive but also underlines the relentless grind of Ashe’s vengeance.

Graphically, the game’s stylized environments and moody lighting punch above their technical weight, though occasional frame rate drops and blocky models remind you of the hardware-era constraints. The story is faithful but minimalistic—perfect for fans who want to play through their favorite scenes, but perhaps too thin for players seeking deep narrative complexity.

Sound design and music reinforce the bleak urban atmosphere, with industrial riffs and sparse ambience underscoring each fight. Controls are responsive, if a bit stiff during certain animations, and weapon pickups introduce just enough strategic variety to keep encounters fresh.

Overall, The Crow: City of Angels is best suited for enthusiasts of mid-90s licensed beat ’em ups and those intrigued by the film’s cult status. If you’re chasing polished combos and RPG-style progression, you may find it lacking—but for fans of straightforward, atmospheric brawlers with a heavy dose of gothic flair, this game delivers a memorable walk through the shadows of Los Angeles underworld.

Retro Replay Score

5.3/10