Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

CrimeWave throws you straight into the driver’s seat of one of eight heavily armed vehicles, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. From nimble sports cars bristling with machine guns to lumbering armored tanks equipped with rocket launchers, every vehicle feels distinct. You’ll need to learn the handling characteristics, from drifting around tight corners to managing recoil when firing high‐caliber weapons at fleeing convicts.

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The core loop revolves around zipping through eight increasingly devastated urban zones in pursuit of bounties. Each zone brings fresh environmental hazards—from crumbling overpasses and flaming wreckage to narrow alleyways teeming with rival bounty hunters. Objectives range from simple “take down this target” missions to timed challenges where escaping with stolen loot under heavy fire adds an extra layer of tension.

Combat is fast, frantic, and relentless. You’ll jettison tires, lob grenades, and unleash shields of lead as you duke it out over wide boulevards and subterranean tunnels. Power‐ups and weapon caches tucked into hidden corners reward exploration, while occasional “boss” encounters pit you against supercharged vehicles for the ultimate urban showdown. You’ll quickly discover that mastering your arsenal and exploiting each zone’s layout is key to racking up high bounties and unlocking secret upgrades.

Graphics

On Sega Saturn hardware, CrimeWave showcases a surprisingly varied palette of grime, neon, and firelight. The eight zones each carry a unique visual identity: rusted industrial yards dripping in oil slicks, run-down downtown blocks lit by flickering streetlamps, and derelict harbor zones where shipping containers become makeshift barriers. These richly detailed backdrops belie the console’s age, lending each urban battlefield a lived-in feel.

Vehicle models are chunky but instantly recognizable, with gleaming chrome accents and battered paneling reflecting the chaos of constant firefights. Explosions bloom in bright oranges and reds, sending shards of debris skittering across the screen. Pop-in is minimal once you acclimate to Saturn’s quirks, and frame rate dips are rare even when dozens of bullets and rockets light up the display.

Particle effects—smoke trails, ricochets, and shattering glass—may not match today’s high-definition standards, but they land with satisfying impact. Dynamic lighting works overtime to create moody contrasts between shadow-clad alleys and sun-bleached overpasses. All told, CrimeWave strikes a fine balance between functional clarity and gritty atmosphere, proving that with clever art direction, the Saturn can still pack a visual punch.

Story

CrimeWave’s narrative is lean and mean: traditional law enforcement has collapsed under the weight of rampant crime, and a new breed of bounty hunters has taken the reins. You’re one such hunter, chasing down notorious criminals across eight increasingly dangerous zones. While there are no branching dialogue trees or lengthy cutscenes, text‐based mission briefings and occasional radio chatter provide enough context to keep you engaged.

Each zone introduces a rogues’ gallery of targets, from bank-robbers and arms dealers to anarchists threatening to level entire city blocks. Bounties rise and fall according to difficulty, encouraging you to weigh risk versus reward before hot-wiring a new ride and tearing off in pursuit. Though the story never deepens beyond its “one-mission-at-a-time” structure, it remains a compelling backdrop for the explosive car combat that follows.

For players seeking complex narratives or character arcs, CrimeWave might feel sparse. However, its minimalist approach ensures that the focus stays on wheel-to-wheel carnage rather than long cinematic sequences. The results are a streamlined, arcade-style experience that wastes no time getting you behind the trigger—and keeps the action moving at breakneck speed.

Overall Experience

CrimeWave is the ultimate pick-up-and-play car combat title for Sega Saturn collectors and action-game enthusiasts. It delivers relentless thrills as you swap between eight customized vehicles, pursue high-paying bounties, and navigate the carnage of eight distinct urban zones. Every mission spikes your adrenaline, whether you’re weaving through traffic at top speed or unloading a salvo of rockets into a fortified hideout.

Replay value is high thanks to hidden vehicle upgrades, secret zones, and time‐attack challenges. You’ll find yourself returning to earlier levels with enhanced firepower, discovering new shortcuts, and chasing leaderboard supremacy against friends. The lack of save-every-five-minutes interruptions means sessions flow smoothly, ideal for both quick bursts and marathon playthroughs.

While CrimeWave’s graphical polish can’t rival modern HD titles, its gritty art style and explosive effects stand up remarkably well on the Saturn. The story may be uncomplicated, but it gives enough structure to support relentless vehicular warfare. If you own a Sega Saturn and crave an intense, weaponized joyride through a crime-ridden metropolis, CrimeWave delivers in spades—and then turns around and blows it up for good measure.

Retro Replay Score

6/10