Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Total Eclipse delivers a classic on-rail shooting experience that harks back to arcade favorites while injecting a futuristic edge. Piloting the sleek FireWing aircraft through 20 varied missions, players must dodge incoming fire, blast waves of alien fighters, and take on colossal Drak-Sai warships. The behind-the-craft perspective offers clear sightlines for both enemies and environmental obstacles, ensuring every barrel roll and sharp turn feels dynamic and responsive.

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Beyond basic shooting, the game’s weapon upgrade system adds strategic depth. Each armament on the FireWing features three distinct power levels, which you can unlock by collecting energy orbs scattered throughout stages. Balancing weapon choice against mission layout—whether to focus on rapid-fire lasers, homing missiles, or area-of-effect plasma blasts—becomes crucial when tougher foes emerge. This risk-and-reward mechanic encourages replaying levels to farm upgrades and achieve higher ranks.

The mission design itself maintains a brisk pace, varying from narrow canyon runs to open-space dogfights and intense solar-flare scenarios near the ’dying’ sun. Occasional branching paths keep you on your toes, offering hidden power-up caches or secret boss encounters for those willing to explore. However, the on-rail constraint means movement freedom is limited; precision and timing, rather than full aerial exploration, define the core challenge.

Difficulty ramps up steadily, and while early levels serve as a welcoming tutorial, later stages test even seasoned shooter veterans. Boss fights demand pattern recognition and pixel-perfect maneuvering, particularly when facing multi-phase Drak-Sai dreadnoughts. Fortunately, the controls remain intuitive throughout—simple throttle adjustments, targeting assists, and quick-switch buttons for weapons help keep the action fluid.

Graphics

Built on a 3D textured mapping engine, Total Eclipse stands out among late-’90s shooters for its crisp visuals and detailed environments. Whether you’re skimming over jagged asteroid fields or navigating the ruins of Earth’s orbit, textures hold up remarkably well, giving each level a tangible sense of place. Explosions bloom with vibrant hues, and enemy models exhibit smooth animations, enhancing the thrill of each firefight.

Pre-rendered cut-scenes punctuate the action, showcasing high-quality cinematics that advance the story. These sequences boast sharper resolution and richer color palettes than the in-game graphics, creating a striking contrast that heightens narrative stakes before and after missions. Transitions between gameplay and cut-scenes are seamless, maintaining immersion and building anticipation for the next objective.

The PlayStation version pushes performance further by slightly speeding up the action, lending an even more frenetic feel to dogfights. Frame rates remain stable during most encounters, though very crowded segments can introduce minor drops. Still, the trade-off feels worthwhile if you prefer heightened intensity. Additionally, the console’s password system allows quick access to later levels without replays, though it does little to alter the original visuals.

While the aesthetic occasionally leans on familiar sci-fi motifs—sprawling starfields, metallic corridors, and glowing enemy cores—Total Eclipse injects enough unique art direction to feel distinct. Subtle weathering on ship hulls, varied lighting effects during solar events, and occasional lens flares all contribute to a polished look that outshines many contemporaries.

Story

Set in the year 2099, Total Eclipse spins a high-stakes yarn of interstellar invasion. The Drak-Sai alien armada has set its sights on annihilating humanity by extinguishing the Sun itself, and only the elite FireWing squadrons stand in their path. It’s a straightforward premise, but one that effectively drives the pace across 20 escalating missions.

Key narrative beats unfold through pre-rendered cut-scenes that blend 3D-finished models with hand-painted backgrounds. These segments reveal snippets of the Drak-Sai’s sinister plans, the FireWing pilots’ camaraderie, and the broader political tensions of a fractured Earth Alliance. Though character development is minimal—pilots rarely deliver more than a few voice lines—the stakes feel personal thanks to tight editing and dramatic musical cues.

Dialogue can be cheesy at times, leaning into heroic clichés and end-of-the-world tropes, but it never undercuts the game’s sense of urgency. On-rail progression aligns neatly with the story arc: every mission feels purposeful, whether you’re holding the line at Earth’s last orbital station or racing to reignite the Sun’s core. Cut-scenes also do a fine job of foreshadowing boss battles, teasing phased transformations and warning players of the galaxy-spanning threat.

For those seeking a deeper narrative experience, Total Eclipse may fall short compared to story-driven shooters, but its blend of visual storytelling and mission-based pacing offers a satisfying sci-fi romp. The simplicity of the plot keeps focus squarely on action, ensuring the story propels you forward rather than slowing the momentum.

Overall Experience

Total Eclipse is a compelling package for fans of fast-paced, on-rail shooters who crave a solid blend of action and sci-fi flair. The 20-mission structure offers a healthy balance of challenge and reward, while the FireWing’s multiple weapon tiers encourage experimentation and skill growth. Controls feel tight, making hairpin turns and last-second dodges both possible and thrilling.

Graphically, the game holds its own with detailed 3D textures and eye-catching cut-scenes that elevate the narrative. The PlayStation iteration’s speed boost injects extra adrenaline, though it might overwhelm casual players. Meanwhile, the password system provides welcome flexibility for those who prefer to pick up where they left off without replaying every earlier stage.

Story-wise, Total Eclipse isn’t a deep philosophical journey—it’s a straightforward heroic saga against an alien menace. Yet the atmospheric pre-rendered sequences, dynamic mission designs, and escalating stakes combine for an engaging sci-fi experience. If you approach the narrative with the right expectations, it complements the shooting action nicely.

Ultimately, Total Eclipse delivers an enjoyable, albeit familiar, shooter experience rich with futuristic visuals and satisfying weapon progression. Whether you’re a longtime rail-shooter enthusiast or a newcomer looking for a tightly crafted arcade-style thrill, this title offers enough variety and polish to keep you returning for multiple playthroughs. Gear up, FireWing pilot—the survival of humanity depends on your precision and bravery.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10