Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

In Wanted, you step into the spurs of Michael Chen, a lone gunslinger with a mission to clear seven perilous stages. The developers split gameplay between two distinct modes, keeping the action fresh and the tension high. Odd-numbered stages play out like classic quick-draw shootouts in saloons, hotels, and dusty Main Streets, while even-numbered stages (save for stage six) turn you into a sharpshooting rider racing across the desert. This dual structure offers rhythmic variety, forcing you to master close-quarters reflexes and mid-range accuracy in equal measure.

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During the odd stages, you must watch for any gunslinger who draws on you—hesitate and you lose life. A smart tactic is to target explosive barrels scattered around town: blasting one not only restores part of your life meter but also wipes out any enemies in the blast radius. Aim too hastily, though, and you risk hitting innocent townsfolk or surrendering foes, which carries a stiff penalty to your health bar. At each stage’s end, a mastermind leader emerges, sliding side to side behind cover while peppering you with gunfire, testing your timing and precision to the limit.

The even stages shift to a horseback vantage point, where you ride across a scorching desert plain. Enemies gallop alongside or approach you on foot, and keeping an eye on the lone pedestrian gunslinger can net you bomb pickups that heal and clear adversaries when detonated. At the climax of these levels, you face a rapid-fire gauntlet: shoot as many targets as you can against the clock. That finale puts both your marksmanship and speed under immense pressure, making each second count as you strive for maximum impact before time expires.

Graphics

Wanted presents a retro-inspired art style that leverages bold pixel art with surprisingly fluid animations. Character sprites are well-defined, ensuring that Michael Chen and his adversaries remain distinct amid the swirling dust and tumbling barrels. Backgrounds in town scenes feature layered parallax scrolling, giving depth to saloons, hitching posts, and graffiti-scrawled walls as you engage in standoffs. The color palette leans on earthy browns and dusty oranges, reinforcing the sunbaked Western setting.

Desert stages showcase a broad horizon of shifting dunes and distant mesas, punctuated by the occasional wagon skeleton or weathered cactus. The designers smartly introduce subtle mirage effects and drifting sand streaks that glide across the screen, immersing you in the heat haze. Enemy horses kick up clouds of dust as they charge, and muzzle flashes momentarily brighten the environment, delivering satisfying visual feedback on each successful shot.

Special effects are a highlight: explosions from barrels boast animated shockwaves that ripple outward, and spark effects flicker when bullets ricochet off metal surfaces. Even minor details—like tumbleweeds rolling across empty streets or the sun’s glare reflecting off shiny metal—contribute to a cohesive, lived-in world. Performance remains stable throughout, with no noticeable slowdown during intense shoot-outs, making Wanted’s presentation both charming and reliable.

Story

While Wanted’s narrative is straightforward, it provides just enough context to fuel your gunslinger’s journey. You are Michael Chen, rumored to be the fastest draw in the West, hired to track down a ruthless gang terrorizing frontier settlements. Each stage unfolds as a chapter in your pursuit, from dusty saloons where the outlaws first made their name to the windswept desert where they regroup for a final stand.

Cutscenes are minimal but effective, delivered between stages as brief text screens accompanied by stylized still art. These moments hint at betrayals, hidden motives, and the growing legend surrounding your character. You’ll learn of a shadowy ringleader orchestrating the chaos, setting the stage for increasingly dangerous confrontations. Although the plot never veers into deep moral quandaries, it provides a satisfying through-line that threads together the action-packed gameplay.

The sparse storytelling fits the game’s arcade DNA: it’s less about plot twists and more about maintaining momentum. By the time you face the final boss, you’ll feel the weight of each skirmish behind you. The sense of progression—from novice bounty hunter to seasoned gunslinger—plays out naturally as you master quick draws, conserve health, and outwit enemy patterns. Wanted’s story may be lean, but it perfectly complements its old-school shoot-‘em-up roots.

Overall Experience

Wanted delivers a compelling blend of reflex-driven shootouts and high-octane horseback shooting stages. Its simple yet challenging mechanics make it easy to pick up but tough to master, rewarding quick thinking and split-second decisions. Each stage feels like a self-contained gauntlet, and the escalating difficulty curve keeps you on edge without tipping into frustration.

The game’s length—seven stages in total—strikes a satisfying balance. It’s long enough to feel substantial but short enough to encourage repeat runs in pursuit of a flawless run or faster completion time. The absence of modern checkpoints means you’ll replay earlier levels often, honing your skills and memorizing enemy patterns. This design fosters a classic arcade loop of trial, error, and eventual triumph.

From its atmospheric pixel art and dynamic audio cues to its varied level design, Wanted offers a nostalgic trip for fans of retro Western shooters and a fresh challenge for newcomers. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of quick-draw showdowns or the thrill of desert horseback duels, Michael Chen’s adventure is a memorable ride across the frontier. If you crave a no-frills, skill-based action game with old-school flair, Wanted is well worth the draw.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10