Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

GREED: Black Border brings a dynamic blend of hack-and-slash RPG and top-down shooter mechanics that instantly recalls classics like Diablo and Shadowgrounds. At the outset, you choose one of three distinct classes—the flamethrower-wielding Pyro, the heavily armored Marine with a gatling gun, or the long-range Plasma Engineer. Each class has its own unique playstyle, offering varied pacing from up-close inferno assaults to cautious sniper positioning. This clear delineation makes every run feel fresh, as you learn to leverage each hero’s strengths against the relentless hordes swarming Likanos.

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Progression in GREED relies on a straightforward yet satisfying system of leveling. Every experience point earned from vanquished foes inches you closer to a level up, granting one skill point and two attribute points. Attribute points let you bolster your health or shield reserves, while skill points unlock or upgrade talents across three branches—active grenades, offensive knock-backs, and defensive healing. The restriction of equipping only one talent per branch adds a layer of tactical decision-making, forcing you to plan builds that suit your playstyle and adapt on the fly as tougher enemies emerge.

Loot and customization round out the gameplay loop. Weapon and armor drops vary in quality and offer upgrade slots for modules, allowing you to enhance firepower or survivability. The in-game merchant, accessible via a teleporter cooldown, offers a brief respite for buying modules and tracking quests. Combat also features a dodge move reminiscent of Avencast: Rise of the Mage, injecting fluidity and risk-reward into encounters. Whether you’re barrel-rolling past laser barrages or chaining grenades into a crowd of pirates, the controls feel responsive and encourage creative problem-solving.

Graphics

Visually, GREED: Black Border excels at creating a cold, industrial sci-fi atmosphere. Dark asteroid fields and derelict mining rigs are rendered with gritty detail, each corridor echoing with creaking metal and ominous shadows. The game’s lighting engine highlights the contrast between the pitch-black vacuum of space and the neon glow of Ikarium-powered machinery, reinforcing the sense of isolation that underpins the narrative tension.

Character models and enemy designs display a strong commitment to thematic consistency. The Pyro’s suit hiss-es with embedded coils, the Marine’s armor plates gleam under turret fire, and the Plasma Engineer’s helmet HUD flickers with targeting data. Enemy types range from scavenger drones to hulking pirate mechs, each sporting distinct silhouettes that help you identify and prioritize threats at a glance. Particle effects for flamethrowers, energy rifles, and explosive modules are crisp, making every shot feel impactful.

While some textures can appear slightly dated in expansive areas, the overall presentation remains immersive. Load times are reasonable, and the HUD layout is clean—displaying health, shields, ammo, and ability cooldowns without clutter. Subtle visual cues, such as screen edges glowing red when shields fail, keep you aware of your status without breaking the flow. In multiplayer, the camera adjusts seamlessly to keep all three players in view, ensuring the action stays coherent even amid chaotic firefights.

Story

GREED: Black Border unfolds in a far-flung future where an alliance of five planets has fractured under the weight of mistrust and greed. The discovery of a rare metal called Ikarium was meant to unite humanity once more, but instead ignited a new space-age conflict. Colonies now teeter on the brink of all-out war, and supply routes to the asteroid swarm Likanos—the only source of Ikarium—are strewn with debris from mining vessels and pirate skirmishes.

You step into the cockpit of a former soldier from Camulos, the colony whose political maneuvers shattered the alliance. Disillusioned by his government’s agenda, he becomes a freelance mercenary, patrolling the perilous corridors of Likanos. The story kicks into motion when you answer a distress signal from a lone mining ship. What begins as a routine investigation spirals into a deeper mystery involving corporate conspiracies, rogue AIs, and the true potential of Ikarium itself.

Though cutscenes are kept concise, they effectively set the mood and propel you from one skirmish to the next. NPCs you meet—fellow miners, shady merchants, and desperate survivors—add texture to the narrative, revealing bits of lore through overheard chatter and collectible data logs. The writing strikes a careful balance between exposition and action, ensuring the story never stalls the gameplay but still gives you enough context to care about the fate of the colonies.

Overall Experience

GREED: Black Border delivers a robust sci-fi action-RPG experience that strikes a satisfying balance between fluid combat and character progression. The core loop of slaying enemies, collecting loot, and upgrading abilities remains engaging across multiple playthroughs. The addition of a cooperative mode for up to three players only amplifies the fun, letting you tag-team boss battles and share module upgrades in real time.

Replayability is further enhanced by an unlockable New Game Plus mode, which carries your endgame stats into a higher-difficulty run. This mode is especially rewarding for hardcore players eager to test optimized builds against swarms of supercharged foes. While the lack of cosmetic customization may disappoint those seeking more visual personalization, the depth of the skill tree and loot system ensures there’s always a fresh angle to explore.

In sum, GREED: Black Border stands out as an engrossing blend of shooter and RPG set against a richly imagined space-opera backdrop. Its tight controls, compelling class variety, and atmospheric world design make it a recommended pick for fans of fast-paced action and strategic character growth. Whether you’re a solo mercenary or coordinating with friends, the hunt for Ikarium on Likanos promises a thrilling ride from start to finish.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10