Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Fantastic Four delivers classic beat-’em-up action in a side-scrolling format that feels immediately familiar yet fresh thanks to its roster of five distinct heroes. Players can choose from the Human Torch, Thing, Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, and She-Hulk, each offering unique attack patterns and animations. You’ll punch, kick, stretch, and flame on your way through waves of enemies, making every stage a satisfying test of timing and resource management.

One of the game’s standout mechanics is the ability to switch between characters on the fly. If you find yourself struggling with Mr. Fantastic’s stretchy reach against a tough boss, simply swap to the Human Torch and torch them with fiery specials. This fluid interchange encourages experimentation—collecting force energy feels rewarding, since it unlocks each hero’s most powerful move when you need it most.

Beyond your regular combos, each character boasts four special attacks, one of which is gated behind the force energy meter. This resource management adds a strategic layer: do you expend your meter on She-Hulk’s ground-pound to clear standard grunts, or save it for an epic Invisible Woman shield that can stun enemies in a pinch? These choices keep combat engaging and prevent the action from becoming repetitive.

Level design further complements the core mechanics, presenting environmental hazards and mini-objectives that encourage you to leverage each hero’s strengths. Breaking through flimsy walls with Thing’s brute force or reaching high platforms with Mr. Fantastic’s stretch adds variety to the standard left-to-right progression. Boss encounters feel tailored to this system; you’ll often need to use two or more characters in tandem to uncover their weaknesses.

Graphics

The visuals in The Fantastic Four capture the aesthetic of classic 16-bit side-scrollers, with bright colors and bold character sprites that pop against richly detailed backgrounds. Each hero is instantly recognizable: the Human Torch flickers with animated flames, Thing’s rocky skin features nuanced shading, and Mr. Fantastic’s limbs stretch fluidly without clipping or awkward distortions.

Stage backdrops take you from bustling city streets to alien strongholds, all rendered with a comic-book flair. Buildings crumble under your attacks, crates shatter in realistic shards, and subtle parallax scrolling gives depth to scenes. While the overall resolution is modest by modern standards, the art direction compensates with vibrant palettes and clear visual feedback for every hit and special move.

Enemy designs are equally commendable, ranging from street-level thugs to robotic drones and cosmic creatures lifted straight from Marvel lore. Boss animations feel particularly well-animated, showcasing multi-stage attacks that telegraph danger yet remain visually engaging. Occasional frame-rate dips arise when multiple effects appear simultaneously, but these moments are brief and seldom disrupt the flow.

Particle effects for force-energy specials shine, with each character’s ultimate move boasting a unique flourish. The Invisible Woman’s shimmering force-field ripple, She-Hulk’s shockwave burst, and the torch’s flame cyclone all demonstrate attention to detail. These effects not only look great but also provide clear cues about area-of-effect and damage potential.

Story

The narrative in The Fantastic Four is straightforward, delivering a comic-book style tale of intergalactic threats and nefarious villains. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, the plot serves as a solid backdrop for the action, featuring familiar adversaries that fans will recognize. The opening briefings set the stage for each level, weaving in classic Marvel themes without bogging down the pace.

Though story segments rely on static text and a few character portraits rather than fully voiced cutscenes, the dialogue captures the banter and camaraderie fans expect. Mr. Fantastic’s witty quips, Thing’s gruff encouragements, and the occasional sarcastic retort from She-Hulk bring personality to otherwise linear stages. The pacing ensures you spend most of your time in the action, punctuated by narrative beats that keep the stakes clear.

The inclusion of She-Hulk alongside the core Fantastic Four team adds an interesting twist, framing her as an occasional ally rather than a permanent team member. This setup justifies her presence in the roster and opens up opportunities for playful exchanges with the original quartet. While deeper character arcs are minimal, the emphasis on classic hero teamwork aligns well with the genre’s roots.

Boss encounters often tie into the story, whether facing down subordinates of Doctor Doom or repelling cosmic invaders threatening Earth. These set pieces are brief but impactful, giving each level a sense of purpose. Overall, the narrative framework may be light by modern standards, but it effectively drives you from one action-packed stage to the next.

Overall Experience

The Fantastic Four is a charming throwback for fans of classic beat-’em-ups, marrying straightforward side-scroll action with superhero flair. Its dynamic character-switching mechanic keeps the gameplay engaging across multiple playthroughs, while the variety of special moves adds depth without overwhelming newcomers. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned genre veteran, the game’s learning curve feels balanced and rewarding.

Replayability is high, thanks to collectible force-energy shards and hidden paths that often require specific characters to access. You’ll find yourself replaying levels to polish combos, master each hero’s unique specials, and uncover every secret. Local co-op support—if available—would elevate the fun even further, though the single-player experience alone packs plenty of punch.

While the graphics and effects are faithful to their retro inspirations, a modern polish ensures the game doesn’t feel dated. Occasional performance hitches and the absence of voiced story sequences are minor drawbacks in an otherwise robust package. Fans of the Fantastic Four and beat-’em-up enthusiasts alike will appreciate the faithful character portrayals and the satisfying crunch of every punch, kick, and flame burst.

Ultimately, The Fantastic Four offers a solid blend of nostalgic gameplay and superhero spectacle. It may not break new ground in terms of narrative depth or technical innovation, but it stands out through its charismatic characters, strategic mechanics, and colorful presentation. For anyone seeking a pick-up-and-play action title with Marvel flair, this side-scroller is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

6/10