Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Activision Game Vault: Volume 2 delivers a triad of distinct gameplay experiences in one package, each drawn from a different corner of the late ’90s PC landscape. First up is Spycraft: The Great Game, a spy simulation that layers investigative puzzle‐solving, dialogue trees, and FMV sequences into a cohesive espionage thriller. You’ll comb through documents, crack codes, and choose your cover stories, all while juggling limited resources and ever‐present danger.

Next, Time Commando drops you into a fast-paced, hack-and-slash romp through various historical epochs. Armed with era-specific weapons, you’ll cleave through hordes of time-distorting creatures, mastering basic combos and timing your strikes. Although the combat is straightforward, it’s surprisingly addictive: every new era brings fresh enemies and weaponry, keeping the loop of “slice, dodge, advance” engaging over several hours.

Finally, Zork Nemesis: The Forbidden Lands offers a markedly different pace with its point-and-click adventuring and intricate puzzles. Exploration takes precedence over reflexes here—you’ll piece together cryptic riddles, manipulate esoteric machinery, and follow hidden clues to unlock the story of four lost alchemists. The cerebral challenge of Zork Nemesis complements the action-oriented titles, creating a well-rounded compilation for players who enjoy both reflexive thrills and thoughtful problem-solving.

Graphics

Spycraft: The Great Game showcases FMV sequences that were cutting-edge upon release but now exhibit the characteristic grain and color bleed of late-90s video compression. Character models transition to live actors in full‐screen video, offering an immersive cinematic feel—even if you occasionally squint at soft edges and pixelated backgrounds. Still, the visual fidelity excels at establishing mood, from neon-lit safe houses to shadowy server rooms.

In Time Commando, you’ll find early 3D character models and environments that look moderately dated by modern standards. Polygons are visible, and textures can appear flat, but the game’s ambition shines through in its varied time periods—from prehistoric jungles to neon-soaked cyber futures. Given the constraints of the era, the art direction (especially the creature designs) remains remarkably inventive, and the dynamic camera angles help mask some geometric limitations.

Zork Nemesis leans heavily on prerendered backgrounds and highly detailed set pieces, delivering atmospheric environments rich with alchemical motifs and Gothic architecture. While character models are delivered via FMV inserts (and can feel slightly disconnected from their surroundings), the lush backdrops make up for it, drawing you into the Forbidden Lands with every flickering torch and hidden alcove. The visual cohesion of puzzles and environments feels tightest in this title, reinforcing the game’s eerie ambiance.

Story

Spycraft: The Great Game unfolds like a high-stakes film thriller. You play an intelligence agent navigating global conspiracies, double crosses, and moral quandaries. Conversations with suspects and allies branch dynamically, so your choices can lead to diplomatic breakthroughs or dramatic showdowns. Though the plot occasionally leans on genre tropes—rogue agents, secret bases, coded transmissions—it’s buoyed by strong voice acting and an undercurrent of political intrigue.

Time Commando’s narrative is more functional than philosophical. You take on the role of a commando snatched from one era into the next by a sentient virus intent on corrupting the timeline. While the story mainly serves as a backdrop to justify your time-hopping combat, brief cutscenes and era-specific gags keep things entertaining. Its straightforward “blast-through-the-ages” premise may not win awards for depth, but it ensures the action never feels themeless.

Zork Nemesis prides itself on a darker, more mysterious tale. You arrive at the Forbidden Lands to investigate the disappearance of four renowned alchemists whose experiments have unleashed supernatural horrors. Journal entries, environmental clues, and the occasional rambling villain monologue piece together an unsettling narrative about ambition, betrayal, and forbidden knowledge. The pacing is deliberate, but each puzzle solved feels like unlocking a new chapter in this gothic odyssey.

Overall Experience

Activision Game Vault: Volume 2 stands out as a budget-friendly compilation that spans multiple genres and gameplay styles. For nostalgia seekers, it’s a chance to revisit classic PC titles without hunting down individual discs or navigating compatibility hurdles. Even newcomers can appreciate the value proposition: three full games for roughly the price of one modern premium release.

That said, players should come in with tempered expectations regarding graphics and interface conventions. Modern systems may require compatibility tweaks or wrapper tools to run these titles smoothly. The FMV sequences in Spycraft and Zork Nemesis have aged unevenly, and the control schemes—especially in Time Commando—feel rooted in an era before contemporary quality-of-life improvements.

Ultimately, Volume 2 succeeds as a curated trip through late-90s PC gaming. The variety of experiences—spy thriller, time-spanning action, and dark puzzle adventure—ensures that you’re never stuck in a single gameplay loop for too long. If you have even a passing interest in vintage titles or want a sampling of Activision’s mid-era catalog, this collection delivers both heart and value, all wrapped in a package that underscores the studio’s experimental spirit of that time.