Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Evil Core: The Fallen Cities delivers a dynamic 3D shooting experience by putting you in the cockpit of a highly customizable futuristic fighter plane. From the outset, you’re tasked with navigating both the expansive skyways and the claustrophobic caverns of Malia’s Old Sector, seamlessly transitioning between open-air dogfights and tight subterranean tunnels. Controls feel responsive and intuitive, whether you’re banking through a canyon or weaving between crumbling temple pillars.

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The game offers two distinct modes designed to keep the action fresh. Adventure mode can be played solo or in two-player co-op, allowing you and a friend to coordinate attacks, share resources, and strategize mission objectives together. On the other hand, VS mode requires two players and unleashes competitive matches across six unique worlds, with eight different ships to master—each boasting its own weapons loadout, speed, and handling characteristics.

Progression in Evil Core is driven by mission rewards and in-game currency, earned by completing objectives such as reconnaissance scans in the Fallen Cities or defense missions over nuclear power facilities. You can funnel your earnings into ship refits, upgrading armor, engine thrust, and weapon systems. This upgrade loop encourages experimentation and replayability, as certain levels reward stealth or brute force differently, making each playthrough feel tailored to your flying and combat style.

Graphics

The visual presentation of Malia is one of Evil Core’s standout features. The sky above the New Sector shimmers with iridescent clouds, framed by distant space stations and the looming silhouettes of nuclear reactors. Textures on floating platforms and high-tech hubs convey a polished, futuristic aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with the worn stone and moss-covered ruins of the Fallen Cities.

Venturing underground reveals a different palette: torchlit caverns, dripping stalactites, and ancient carvings illuminated by your ship’s headlights. The game’s dynamic lighting system casts realistic shadows that heighten immersion—enemy ambushes in narrow tunnels feel genuinely tense, thanks to flickering spotlights and sudden bursts of flare lighting.

On higher-end hardware, particle effects for missile trails, explosion debris, and chemical weapon plumes are rendered with impressive detail, adding visceral flair to every firefight. Even on mid-range setups, level-of-detail scaling ensures frame rates remain smooth, although some texture pop-in can occur when transitioning rapidly from open skies to tight underground passages.

Story

Evil Core’s narrative unfolds against the intriguing backdrop of Malia, a planet torn between technological advancement and ancient mystery. After centuries in the New Sector—where nuclear power, genetic engineering, and space stations reign supreme—humans must revisit their past by exploring the Fallen Cities. The lore-rich setting provides fertile ground for exploration, as you uncover hidden temples, long-sealed laboratories, and cryptic hieroglyphs hinting at Malia’s original inhabitants.

You assume the role of Vein Black, a seasoned pilot drawn into a web of political intrigue when an unknown enemy launches devastating attacks on innocent colonies. The uneasy alliance between the peace-loving Bloblics and the war-torn N’Leths adds a layer of tension, as diplomatic mistrust simmers beneath the surface of joint defense efforts. Meanwhile, the Marcs lurk in the shadows, their motives tied to chemical weapons and genetically enhanced armies that threaten total planetary domination.

Story delivery strikes a balance between cinematic cutscenes and in-mission dialogue. Briefings before each mission provide context and evolving objectives, while scattered audio logs and holographic recordings deepen the mystery of the Fallen Cities. Though character interactions are sometimes underwritten, Vein Black’s gruff narration and the occasional moral choice—such as rescuing civilians or sabotaging enemy supplies—add just enough dramatic weight to keep you invested.

Overall Experience

Evil Core: The Fallen Cities offers a compelling blend of aerial combat, exploration, and a richly imagined sci-fi world. The duality of above-ground dogfights and underground skirmishes sets it apart from standard 3D shooters, encouraging you to adapt your tactics and make full use of your ship’s modular upgrades. Co-op mode shines by letting friends coordinate roles—one pilot focuses on offense while the other handles support systems and resource gathering.

Despite a few rough edges—such as occasional texture pop-in and moments where the story pacing slows—the game’s strengths outweigh its shortcomings. Visually striking environments, a versatile upgrade system, and diverse multiplayer options ensure that both solo pilots and competitive pairs will find hours of enjoyment. The variety of mission types, from stealthy reconnaissance to all-out aerial assaults, helps prevent the gameplay from feeling repetitive.

For fans of sci-fi shooters seeking an engaging single-player campaign alongside robust split-screen and VS multiplayer, Evil Core: The Fallen Cities delivers a memorable journey through a world of clashing cultures, ancient mysteries, and high-octane combat. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of uncovering subterranean relics or by the thrill of outmaneuvering an opponent in split-screen dogfights, this title has something for every pilot ready to take on Malia’s greatest challenges.

Retro Replay Score

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