Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Evil Twin: Cyprien’s Chronicles delivers a hybrid of classic 3D platforming and light puzzle elements, tasking players with guiding young Cyprien across eight bizarre islands and roughly 70 stages. The core mechanic hinges on precision jumping, timed dashes, and the occasional environmental puzzle—leveraging switches, movable objects, and hidden pathways to keep each level feeling fresh. While the game occasionally leans into trial-and-error design, it balances this with generous respawn points and cleverly placed power-ups that ease frustration.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

One of the game’s standout features is Cyprien’s transformation into Super-Cyp. By collecting scattered power-ups, you can temporarily harness enhanced abilities—faster movement, stronger attacks, and high jumps—that turn ordinary platforming segments into adrenaline-fueled sprints. This dynamic shift not only adds variety to the gameplay loop but also encourages exploration, as many secret areas and collectibles can only be reached in Super-Cyp form.

The enemies and allies you encounter further spice up the experience. From Wilbur the swinging elephant to the half-bodied “demis” and the towering termite queen, each creature offers unique challenges. Some beings actively assist you—like granting extra health or revealing hidden platforms—while others block your path, requiring careful timing or creative use of power-ups to overcome. The occasional camera hiccups and slightly floaty controls don’t detract severely from the overall fun, though players seeking rock-solid precision may find a few jumps more demanding than intended.

Graphics

Visually, Evil Twin embraces a surreal, carnival-tinged aesthetic that underscores the game’s darkly comedic tone. Each island sports its own color palette and thematic quirks—ranging from candy-colored forests to dilapidated carnival grounds—ensuring that no two stages look alike. Character models, while not cutting-edge by today’s standards, possess a charmingly grotesque flair, with exaggerated proportions and quirky animations that bring the world’s oddball inhabitants to life.

The game’s environmental design shines particularly in background details: gnarled trees sporting tiny faces, floating lanterns shaped like grinning skulls, and eerily whimsical architecture. Lighting effects—strobing neon signs, flickering torches, and ominous glows—add to the atmosphere, though some textures can appear a bit muddy up close. On modern hardware, load times are brief and frame rates generally remain stable, though occasional dips can occur in more densely populated areas.

Perhaps most impressive is the seamless blend of playfulness and creepiness in the visuals. One moment, you’re bounding along golden flower petals; the next, you’re navigating a corridor of twisted roots that seem to pulse with malevolence. This artistic juxtaposition reinforces the game’s surreal narrative and invites players to explore every nook and cranny, convinced that another bizarre sight or hidden collectible is just around the corner.

Story

At its heart, Evil Twin weaves a darkly comical coming-of-age tale. Orphaned boy Cyprien finds himself in a surreal new dimension as he searches for his four missing friends and his talking teddy bear. The narrative unfolds gradually, with each island revealing new layers of Cyprien’s psyche and the peculiar inhabitants that symbolize his fears, hopes, and regrets.

Supporting characters like Wilbur the elephant and the bizarre demis serve as both literal and metaphorical guides, helping—or sometimes hindering—Cyprien’s progress. Dialogue is sparse but impactful, relying more on environmental storytelling and the odd bizarre encounter than lengthy cutscenes. This approach keeps players engaged without overwhelming them with exposition, though it can leave some backstory threads feeling tantalizingly unresolved.

Ultimately, the game’s true antagonist is Cyprien’s own inner turmoil. Power-ups that unlock Super-Cyp reflect his desire to escape vulnerability, while the quest to rescue his friends mirrors a deeper struggle for connection and self-acceptance. The climactic confrontation with his “evil twin” strikes an emotional chord, offering a surprisingly poignant resolution to what initially seems like a lighthearted platformer.

Overall Experience

Evil Twin: Cyprien’s Chronicles stands out as a niche gem in the 3D platforming genre. Its blend of whimsical art direction, inventive level design, and psychologically tinged narrative sets it apart from more conventional mascots. While it may not achieve the technical polish of modern blockbusters, its imaginative world-building and memorable characters more than compensate for any rough edges.

For players seeking a platformer with both heart and offbeat humor, Cyprien’s adventure offers more than 70 levels of exploration and challenge. The interplay between Cyprien and Super-Cyp keeps gameplay feeling dynamic, and the cast of strange allies and adversaries makes each island memorable. Even with occasional camera quirks or tricky leaps, the journey remains rewarding.

In the end, Evil Twin: Cyprien’s Chronicles is a captivating excursion into a child’s psyche, dressed up as a colorful—but at times unsettling—platforming romp. It’s a title best experienced with an open mind and a taste for the bizarre, promising hours of surreal fun and the satisfaction of uncovering every hidden secret. Potential buyers who crave something different from standard platformers will find this French import a refreshing and rewarding adventure.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10