Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

True Lies puts you in control of a gun-toting Arnold Schwarzenegger in an isometric, top-down action shooter that never slows down. Each mission casts you into iconic locations from the movie, tasking you with objectives like retrieving sensitive data, capturing high-value targets, or defusing explosive situations. The game’s pacing is relentless: one moment you’re clearing a warehouse of well-armed terrorists, the next you’re navigating a crowded street while keeping civilian casualties to a minimum.

The core combat revolves around an arsenal of weapons that pays homage to Arnie’s on-screen favorites. You’ll cycle between Uzis for rapid fire, shotguns for up-close power, and a gloriously destructive flame thrower that lights up the battlefield. Managing ammo pickups and weapon selection becomes a strategic layer—do you conserve your limited flamer fuel for tight corridors, or spray and pray through open areas? Either way, each firefight feels satisfying.

Movement and evasion are equally important to surviving the mayhem. Arnold’s diving roll is more than just a flashy animation; it’s a critical tool to dodge incoming bullets and reposition yourself for a counter-blast. Mastering the roll’s timing transforms overwhelming gangs of enemies into manageable skirmishes. Combined with responsive controls and an intuitive aiming system, the gameplay loop strikes a solid balance between accessible fun and challenging action.

Graphics

True Lies takes full advantage of its top-down perspective, offering detailed sprite work that brings each environment to life. Warehouses, city streets, and enemy hideouts are rendered with crisp clarity, allowing you to spot both hostiles and point out innocent bystanders who can’t be harmed. The color palette is vibrant without being garish, helping bullets, explosions, and character animations stand out in the heat of battle.

Despite hardware limitations of its era, the game’s animation frames are impressively smooth. Arnold’s dive roll, weapon swaps, and death animations all flow naturally, lending the action a cinematic quality. Explosions bloom with a satisfying radius, and muzzle flashes briefly light up the screen, creating moments of visual drama that keep you engaged.

The level design makes clever use of environmental details to break up repetitive corridors. Crates, vehicles, and destructible objects not only serve as cover but also add visual variety. In some missions you even navigate crowded marketplaces or dimly lit passages, each locale feeling distinct. While the perspective can obscure enemies at screen edges, a quick scroll or roll reveals hidden threats, reinforcing the game’s “stay on your toes” mentality.

Story

True Lies adapts the high-octane premise of the Schwarzenegger blockbuster into an action shooter framework. You step into the shoes of Harry Tasker, a secret agent leading a double life as a lovable suburban husband. Though the game doesn’t delve deeply into domestic drama, it captures the film’s essence by placing you in both covert operations and all-out shootouts.

Mission briefings are delivered through simple text screens, setting the stakes before each level. You’ll be given clear objectives—rescue hostages, intercept information, or disarm bombs—tying every firefight to a narrative goal. While there’s no branching storylines or dialogue branches, the straightforward progression keeps the pace brisk and ensures you always know why you’re blasting your way through terrorists.

True Lies also sprinkles in familiar movie moments, from high-speed chases to confrontations in snowy strongholds. These nods to the source material reward fans with recognizable scenarios, even if the game doesn’t re-create every cinematic sequence. By focusing on the core action beats, it delivers an experience that feels authentically “True Lies” without overcomplicating the plot.

Overall Experience

True Lies offers an action-packed shooter experience that will appeal to fans of the movie and arcade-style gameplay alike. Its mission variety, weapon arsenal, and fast-paced combat ensure that no two levels feel identical. Even seasoned players will find themselves juggling crowd control, civilian safety, and explosive set-pieces in a satisfying juggling act.

There are occasional frustrations—limited continues, unpredictable civilian placements, and moments where the isometric view hides enemies just out of sight. However, these quirks can become part of the game’s charm, encouraging careful planning and mastery of Arnold’s diving roll. For players who relish high difficulty spikes and repeat playthroughs, True Lies delivers considerable replay value.

Ultimately, True Lies stands as a robust action shooter that captures the movie’s spirit while delivering addictive gameplay loops. Its emphasis on weapon diversity, strategic movement, and level variety makes it a strong recommendation for anyone seeking a challenging, old-school experience. Prepare to channel your inner Arnie, because this covert ops adventure doesn’t let up until the final credits roll.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10