Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Equinox builds its core experience around intuitive puzzle-solving interwoven with light combat elements. Players guide Shadax’s son through a 3D isometric landscape, using an array of weapons—from simple swords to enchanted staves—and powerful magic spells to progress. The puzzles are cleverly designed so that choosing the right spell or tool becomes as important as timing and positioning, encouraging experimentation and rewarding creative solutions.

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The structure of the game alternates between an above-ground overworld map and intricately designed underground dungeons. While only a handful of battles occur on the surface, each dungeon presents a fresh challenge: shifting platforms, hidden switches, pressure plates, and teleportation tiles. These physical puzzles often require mastery of both your weapons and spells, ensuring that combat and puzzle mechanics never feel disconnected.

Difficulty ramps up steadily, introducing new mechanics at a pace that feels fair yet challenging. Enemies range from basic goblins to more devious creatures that force you to rethink your approach, whether by blocking projectiles or triggering traps. Collecting keys and solving environmental riddles to unlock the path forward delivers a gameplay loop reminiscent of classic action-adventure titles but with its own distinct isometric flair.

Graphics

Equinox was one of the early adopters of a full 3D isometric engine on its platform, and its colorful, hand-drawn textures still stand out. Each tile feels carefully crafted, with vibrant hues that distinguish water channels, lava flows, and crystalline caverns. The attention to detail in the wall carvings and floor mosaics gives every dungeon a unique atmosphere, preventing the levels from blending into one another.

Character sprites are crisp and animate smoothly when your hero draws a sword or casts a spell. Enemy designs are memorable—skeletal warriors clatter ominously, while insectoid monsters scuttle across the screen with unsettling realism. Even subtle visual effects, such as the glow from a newly learned spell or the flash of impact when a key lock clicks open, contribute to a satisfying feedback loop.

Lighting and shadows play a surprisingly important role in setting mood. Flickering torches cast uneven glows on the dungeon walls, and bioluminescent fungi illuminate hidden alcoves. While the hardware of its era imposes a modest polygon count, the art direction and thoughtful use of color help Equinox transcend technical limits, delivering a timeless visual experience.

Story

Picking up where Solstice left off, Equinox casts you as the determined son of Shadax, the hero of the first adventure. When an evil witch abducts Shadax, the fate of the realm rests on your young protagonist’s shoulders. This familial connection lends the narrative genuine stakes, as rescuing your father becomes both a heroic quest and a personal mission.

The storyline unfolds through brief but well-paced cutscenes and in-game dialogue. Villagers and dungeon denizens drop cryptic hints, guiding you toward hidden switches or revealing secret passages. While the plot never tries to outshine its gameplay, it provides just enough context to keep motivations clear and progress rewarding.

Equinox excels at weaving plot revelations into puzzle design. Learning about the witch’s lair, for example, shifts your strategy—forcing you to prioritize spells that counter her dark magic. This integration of narrative and gameplay creates a cohesive adventure that feels more immersive than many contemporaries in the genre.

Overall Experience

Equinox remains a standout title for fans of puzzle-driven action-adventures. Its balance of combat, exploration, and brain-teasers delivers an experience that’s both challenging and immensely satisfying. New players may need an hour or two to acclimate to the isometric camera and control scheme, but the learning curve ultimately pays off in fluid gameplay and thoughtful level design.

The game’s soundtrack and sound effects, though simple by modern standards, complement the visuals and atmosphere perfectly. The haunting chimes in cavernous rooms and triumphant fanfares upon solving a tough puzzle add emotional weight to your journey. It’s a cohesive production that leverages every tool at its disposal to deepen immersion.

For those seeking a nostalgic trip or a fresh test of wit and reflexes, Equinox offers dozens of hours of content. Replay value comes from seeking out all hidden spells, revisiting earlier dungeons with newfound abilities, or simply mastering every puzzle pathway. As a sequel that expands and refines its predecessor’s concepts, Equinox stands as a timeless example of creative design in action-adventure gaming.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10