Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Tick delivers a punchy, action-packed experience that blends platforming with classic beat ’em up mechanics. From the moment you don the blue skin-tight tights, you’ll find yourself charging headlong into waves of ninjas, robots, and costumed crooks. Movement feels fluid as you leap from rooftop to rooftop in the 2D platform sections, then seamlessly transition into semi-isometric arenas where brawling takes center stage.

Combat is straightforward yet satisfying: a combination of light and heavy attacks lets you string together combos that feel powerful against the onslaught of enemies. When you find yourself cornered, a quick call to Arthur summons your trusty sidekick for screen-clearing assistance. Arthur’s help isn’t unlimited, so timing his arrival carefully can turn the tide of even the toughest boss encounter.

Each level introduces new hazards—flying shurikens, conveyor belts, trapdoors—that keep you on your toes. The balance between platforming challenges and combat sequences ensures that no two stages play out the same way. Whether you’re dodging flame jets or bashing through a horde of robotic foot soldiers, The Tick maintains a brisk pace that encourages you to keep moving forward.

One of the highlights is the boss design: each boss fight feels like a mini-puzzle where you must learn attack patterns, exploit openings, and deliver the final blow with style. These set pieces break up the regular enemy waves, adding memorable moments that will have you itching for a rematch. Overall, the gameplay loop is addictive—just like Streets of Rage, it nails that sweet spot between challenge and accessibility.

Graphics

The Tick embraces a vibrant, cartoon-inspired art style that perfectly captures the quirky humor of the source material. Character sprites are bold and expressive, with exaggerated animations that bring every punch, kick, and victory dance to life. Backgrounds range from shadowy alleyways to neon-lit rooftops, each detailed with fun Easter eggs for fans of the series.

Transitions between the flat 2D platform stages and the semi-isometric battle arenas are handled smoothly, making the switch feel natural rather than jarring. The isometric perspective adds depth to the fighting sequences, giving a fresh visual twist to the standard beat ’em up formula. Lighting effects—such as flickering streetlights and glowing health pickups—add atmosphere without overwhelming the eye.

While the pixel resolution may feel retro by today’s standards, the overall presentation is polished. Animations are fluid, with special attacks featuring flashy particle effects and dynamic camera zooms that heighten the sense of impact. Enemies and bosses are distinct from one another, helping you quickly recognize threats and adapt your strategy.

The color palette is bright and eye-catching, reflecting The Tick’s over-the-top personality. Whether you’re smashing crates for health or surveying the skyline between levels, the visual coherence remains strong. It’s clear that the developers put care into recreating the comic book vibe in every frame.

Story

Though The Tick isn’t a narrative heavyweight, it delivers just enough whimsy to keep you engaged between bouts of brawling. The basic premise finds our fearless hero patrolling the city for any sign of villainy, be it ninjas with throwing stars or mad scientists with electric maces. Each level feels like a chapter in an episodic adventure, complete with pun-laden dialogue and tongue-in-cheek humor.

Cutscenes bookend key stages, offering brief bursts of comedic relief and setting the stage for the next encounter. You’ll come across familiar faces—both friends and foes—from the animated series, and each appearance is handled with affectionate nods to longtime fans. The narrative pace never slows the action; instead, it punctuates combat with lighthearted story beats that reinforce The Tick’s absurd sensibilities.

Boss dialogues are particularly entertaining, as each villain delivers over-the-top taunts and monologues before the scrap begins. While you won’t find deep character arcs here, the game strikes the right balance between plot and play. It’s the kind of story that complements the gameplay rather than overshadowing it, giving you just enough context to care about punching out the bad guys.

For those unfamiliar with The Tick universe, the game serves as a fun primer, introducing key characters and the city’s rogue’s gallery in quick, memorable bursts. Fans will appreciate the faithful tone, while newcomers can dive in with minimal lore knowledge and still enjoy the superhero antics on display.

Overall Experience

The Tick offers a thoroughly entertaining beat ’em up adventure that will appeal to fans of Streets of Rage, classic cartoons, and slapstick superhero action. Its combination of tight controls, varied level design, and over-the-top boss battles keeps the gameplay loop engaging from start to finish. The ability to call in Arthur adds a strategic layer that prevents battles from feeling repetitive.

Visually, the game captures the comic book charm of the original series with bold colors, crisp animations, and lively backgrounds. The seamless switching between platforming and semi-isometric combat gives the game a unique presentation, ensuring that each stage feels fresh. While the graphics lean into nostalgia, they’re polished enough to avoid feeling dated.

Storytelling components are light but effective, peppering the action with humor and character cameos that capture the spirit of The Tick. If you’re looking for a deep narrative, you might be left wanting more, but for a beat ’em up, the story provides more than adequate motivation to keep brawling your way through the levels.

Whether you’re a die-hard Tick fan or simply in search of a well-crafted side-scrolling brawler, this game is worth your attention. It successfully marries classic beat ’em up thrills with comic book flair, delivering an experience that’s as fun to play as it is to watch. Strap on your tights and get ready to clobber some baddies—The Tick waits for no one!

Retro Replay Score

5/10