Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Waterworld delivers a varied gameplay experience by dividing its core loop into three distinct modes: open‐water sailing, submerged exploration, and on-foot combat. You assume the role of The Mariner, a mysterious drifter equipped with gills and webbed feet, who must navigate the endless ocean in search of Dry Land. Each mission type seamlessly blends into one another, allowing you to hunt down pirate Smokers on your jet‐propelled trimaran, dive beneath the waves for sunken treasures, and clear out enemy strongholds on the floating Atolls.

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The sailing segments are the backbone of progression. You pilot a customizable boat armed with a forward cannon and mounted machine gun, patrolling wide swaths of ocean. Objectives range from clearing pockets of Smokers to escorting Atollers to safety. As you eliminate pirate patrols, you earn salvage that can be spent on hull reinforcements, faster engines, and improved weapons. The thrill of high‐speed chases, explosive cannon fire, and tactical boat positioning keeps these levels engaging throughout the campaign.

Once you’ve dispatched the Smokers, gameplay shifts to the waterline and below. Swimming sequences put your aquatic abilities to the test as you evade hostile sea life—shark swarms, electric eels, and mutated leviathans—and collect pearls and scrap metal for later use. Finally, on the Atolls you go toe‐to‐toe with pirate gangs using The Mariner’s signature knife before unlocking a pistol, speargun, and machine gun. Each weapon feels distinct, encouraging a mix of stealthy slashes and ranged assaults in tight, debris-filled corridors.

Graphics

Waterworld’s visual centerpiece is its dynamic water engine. Waves respond to wind direction and boat movement, creating realistic whitecaps and spray that reflect the harsh, unforgiving environment. Sunrises and storms dramatically alter the color palette, bathing the world in warm oranges or drenching it in monochrome grays. Depth of field and motion blur effects heighten the sense of speed as you race across the ocean aboard your vessel.

The floating settlements and derelict oil tankers that makeup the world’s Atolls are richly detailed. Rusted hulls, patchwork shanties, and barrel-flame torches convey the resourcefulness of survivors. Underwater, shafts of light pierce through the surface, illuminating schools of fish and coral reefs. The glow of bioluminescent plants adds an otherworldly atmosphere to deeper caverns, making exploration both beautiful and a bit unsettling.

Character models strike a balance between rugged realism and stylized grit. The Mariner’s webbed hands and aquamarine gills are rendered with convincing textures, and pirates sport weather-worn leather and oil-smudged gear. Animations are fluid—knife parries, gun reloads, and finned kicks all feel responsive. On consoles and PC, frame rates remain steady even when dozens of Smokers and flares light up the sky, a testament to the developers’ optimization work.

Story

Set in a future where polar ice caps have melted and submerged the planet, Waterworld paints a desperate portrait of humanity clinging to survival. Those who remain eke out an existence on ramshackle boats or fortified Atolls, each searching for the fabled Dry Land. The legend says a map is inked on the back of a little girl named Enola, guarded by her caretaker, the formidable Helen.

The narrative thrust begins when a ruthless band of pirates known as the Smokers kidnaps Enola, hoping to extort her knowledge of Dry Land. You step in as The Mariner, a lone wanderer mutated by the new world—his gills granting him an edge in underwater combat. As you escort Helen and Enola across the seas, trust builds through quiet moments on deck and terse exchanges during firefights, revealing the Mariner’s own motivations and moral code.

While the overarching quest for a mythical safe haven keeps the stakes high, character interactions provide emotional depth. Helen’s fierce protectiveness clashes with the Mariner’s detached pragmatism, and Enola’s innocent curiosity brings occasional levity. Side conversations at fuel docks and brief cutscenes amid raging storms underscore the toll of constant survival, making each triumph feel hard-won and earned.

Overall Experience

Waterworld succeeds at immersing you in a harrowing, ocean-bound odyssey. The balance of sailing, swimming, and on-foot combat ensures variety across its dozen-plus missions, while boat upgrades and hidden collectibles encourage exploration. Even replaying key segments remains satisfying, as different loadouts and alternate routes can dramatically change your approach to clearing Smokers or rescuing Atollers.

Technical performance is generally solid. Controls feel intuitive whether you’re steering through a storm or lining up a speargun shot at an unsuspecting shark. The sound design deserves special mention: roaring engines, crashing waves, pirate shouts, and a moody ambient score come together to reinforce the world’s tension. Occasional pop-in of distant islands or minor texture streaming show up, but they rarely detract from the overall atmosphere.

For fans of nautical adventures and post-apocalyptic settings, Waterworld offers a compelling journey. Its combination of accessible mechanics, deep world-building, and memorable characters makes hunting for Dry Land more than just a chase—it’s a test of endurance and hope. While some may crave more variety in mid-game objectives, the core loop remains riveting until the very last drop of ocean fades into the horizon.

Retro Replay Score

null/10