Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

80 Days places you in the polished leather boots of Oliver Lavisheart, a daring English adventurer tasked with locating four groundbreaking inventions scattered across the globe. From the moment you embark on your journey, the clock begins its relentless countdown, pushing you to balance exploration and efficiency. Every decision—from which mode of transport to choose in the deserts of Egypt to determining the fastest steamboat route along the Mississippi—carries weight against the 80-day deadline.

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The game’s controls blend mouse-driven point-and-click interactions with keyboard shortcuts for running, jumping, and inventory management. Navigating sprawling cities and remote villages feels intuitive, with context-sensitive cursors that highlight interactive objects and dialogue options. Combat is minimal; instead, puzzles and time management mechanics take center stage. You may find yourself decoding cryptic hieroglyphs, bribing a local official for passage, or tinkering with blueprints to uncover hidden mechanisms.

Replayability is a core strength of 80 Days. Multiple difficulty settings alter the strictness of the time limit and the complexity of side quests, while branching dialogue trees lead to different alliances and rewards. Over 100 NPCs each offer unique stories, quests, or bartering opportunities. The thrill of discovering an uncharted shortcut via flying carpet or stumbling upon a hidden side mission to earn extra days adds layers of strategy and surprise.

Graphics

Visually, 80 Days captures the turn-of-the-century aesthetic with remarkable flair. The environments—from the golden sands of Giza to the teeming markets of Mumbai—are rich with vibrant details and period-appropriate architecture. Subtle weather effects, such as drifting sandstorms or monsoon rains, dynamically alter visibility and affect your chosen routes, reinforcing the sense of a living, breathing world.

Character models and NPC animations are surprisingly expressive for a game so focused on narrative and strategy. Minor gestures—a shopkeeper wiping his brow, a camel braying as you mount it—lend authenticity to each locale. Cutscenes employ hand-drawn art sequences inspired by Victorian engravings, lending a storybook charm to each major plot reveal.

The user interface balances form and function, with an ornate pocket-watch motif encasing your day counter and inventory slots. Map screens overlay steam-punk–style compasses, and locomotion menus display small illustrations of camels, elephants, and steamships. These visual cues help you plan routes quickly without pulling you out of the adventure.

Story

80 Days weaves an original narrative that pays homage to Jules Verne’s classic without feeling derivative. Oliver Lavisheart is equal parts gentleman archaeologist and roguish explorer, his witty banter and occasional self-doubt adding depth to the proceedings. His quest is driven by filial loyalty—he’s desperate to prove his worth to an eccentric billionaire uncle whose reputation rivals Phileas Fogg’s.

Each continent offers its own thematic arc: uncovering lost tombs in Egypt, navigating colonial intrigue in India, decrypting Zen riddles in Japan, and racing across the Wild West plains. Along the way, Oliver forges alliances with colorful characters—a spirited temple priestess, a resourceful railway engineer, even a skyship captain with a knack for smuggling. Side quests often reveal surprising backstories, from hidden rebellions to vanishing city-states.

The pacing is expertly calibrated. Major story beats unfold just as time pressure peaks, and meaningful choices—such as whether to help a stranded caravan or press on—impact subsequent missions. While there’s always the risk of running out of time, clever design and generous hints ensure you rarely feel unfairly punished for exploring every narrative avenue.

Overall Experience

80 Days is a masterclass in blending narrative-driven adventure with strategic time management. The race-against-the-clock premise keeps adrenaline high, while the sprawling world, filled with puzzles and intrigue, invites you to linger and immerse yourself in its rich detail. It’s rare to find a game that captures both the spirit of Victorian exploration and the satisfying crunch of resource optimization so seamlessly.

Whether you’re a fan of classic literature or modern adventure games, 80 Days delivers a compelling experience that rewards both quick thinking and leisurely exploration. Every replay uncovers new routes, characters, and discoveries, making it a title you’ll return to again and again. The combination of evocative art, dynamic environments, and a vibrant cast of NPCs ensures that no two journeys are ever the same.

For anyone seeking a game that marries cerebral puzzles with poetic storytelling, 80 Days is an unforgettable expedition. Strap on your satchel, consult your pocket watch, and prepare to circle the globe in style—just be sure to keep one eye on the setting sun and the other on your dwindling days.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10