Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Rampage: Total Destruction picks up the action as you assume control of one of thirty hulking test subjects gone awry, each mutated after drinking the fateful “Scum Soda.” From the moment you stomp into your first cityscape, the core loop is simple yet deeply satisfying: demolish buildings, munch on hapless bystanders to regain health, and watch your Rampage Meter climb. Once filled, you surge into a super-powered state, flattening entire blocks at a breakneck pace. The elegant feedback of rubble scattering and glass shattering makes every level feel alive, chaotic, and undeniably fun.

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Distinct bonus challenges pepper each stage with fresh objectives—whether you’re “Eating ten mimes” in Paris or “Destroying five trams” in Tokyo, these tasks reward you with permanent upgrades. Earning a roar attack that sends shockwaves through streets or unlocking a brutal charge punch keeps the gameplay loop compelling, even after hours of city-wrecking. Tackling these side objectives adds strategic layers; do you pulverize every skyscraper first, or hunt down special targets to supercharge your monster early?

A game-changer in Total Destruction is the newly implemented front-of-building climbing mechanic. No longer confined to scaling sides or rooftops, your monster can now cling to façades and hammer skyscrapers head-on. This feature adds vertical variety to combat and narrows safe zones for civilians—who, in turn, retaliate by hurling TVs, pianos, and park benches at your face. Balancing rooftop assaults with dodging projectiles keeps destruction from ever growing stale.

Graphics

The visual overhaul from the original arcade classics is immediately apparent. Rampage: Total Destruction renders its monsters and environments in crisp 3D, with bold colors and exaggerated proportions that emphasize the cartoonish rampage. Each city boasts distinct architectural styles, from neon-lit skyscrapers in Neo-Tokyo to Gothic cathedrals in London. Even after repeated demolitions, the physics-driven rubble and dynamic lighting deliver satisfying visual payoffs.

Character models remain faithful to fan favorites—George’s hulking physique, Lizzie’s spiky reptilian dorsal fins, and Ralph’s boar-like brawn all pop with striking animations. The animation team paid special attention to details like the way Lizzie’s tail lashes or how George tears girders from walls. Menacing boss Dr. Vector and his mechanical contraptions stand out with polished metallic textures and whirring gears that contrast nicely against the ruins you leave in your wake.

Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly on modern hardware and consoles, rarely dipping below a stable frame rate even amidst on-screen chaos. Sound design complements the visuals, with satisfying crash effects and a dynamic soundtrack that intensifies during boss encounters or when your Rampage Meter surges. Overall, the graphical fidelity and art direction make every shattered window and collapsing spire feel both impactful and entertaining.

Story

The narrative setup for Rampage: Total Destruction is delightfully absurd and perfectly suited to its over-the-top gameplay. Scum Labs’ ill-fated experiment with “Scum Soda” sets the stage: thirty unwitting volunteers morph into rampaging behemoths. Each monster’s backstory is hinted at through unlockable dossiers, giving personality to what might otherwise feel like interchangeable wrecking machines.

As you traverse city after city, hidden cryo-tubes reveal the fate of immobilized test subjects, raising the stakes of your quest. Rescuing—or outright obliterating—these frozen foes gradually unravels the larger conspiracy of Scum Labs’ unethical research. The arrival at each city’s tenth level culminates in a showdown with Dr. Vector’s mechanical guardians, framing every boss battle as the next chapter in your monster-origin saga.

Although the story doesn’t take itself too seriously, lighthearted cutscenes and tongue-in-cheek dialogue keep you invested. Rivalries between monsters—like George’s brotherly tussles with Ralph or Lizzie’s scaly contempt for George—add charm and incentive to replay levels with different beasts. In a game all about smashing, the narrative humor and monster interplay give it a welcome lift.

Overall Experience

Rampage: Total Destruction delivers exactly what fans of kaiju-mayhem expect, with enough new features to please series veterans and newcomers alike. Between the upgraded front-climb mechanics, the addictive Rampage Meter system, and a bounty of bonus challenges, every city provides fresh thrills. The ability to unlock and play as all thirty monsters, each with unique abilities, boosts replay value significantly.

Multiplayer modes elevate the fun even further. Whether teaming up locally in couch co-op or facing off in competitive demolition derbies, sharing the chaos with friends is an absolute riot. Cooperative demolitions allow for strategy—two monsters can combine rampage states to shred more efficiently—while versus modes spark wild rivalries as each player vies for the highest destruction count.

For buyers seeking an arcade-style romp bursting with visual flair, destructible environments, and monster-packed mayhem, Rampage: Total Destruction stands tall. Its blend of satisfying gameplay loops, vibrant graphics, and tongue-in-cheek storytelling offers a thoroughly entertaining package. Ready your fists (and your buildings) for the ultimate city-crushing experience.

Retro Replay Score

5.4/10