Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Gromada delivers a dynamic blend of action and strategy, inviting players to master a vast arsenal of battle machines. From the outset, you’re tasked with constructing and deploying robots, cannons, tanks, helicopters, planes, and floating mines across 25 varied missions. Each mission offers non-linear objectives, letting you choose between direct assaults or more tactical maneuvers. The freedom to approach battles your way adds significant replay value, as you experiment with different unit compositions and battlefield tactics.

The centerpiece of the action is Kassandra, a heavily armed tank that remains under your control even when alien forces hijack other units. With mouse-driven precision, you guide Kassandra through each arena, unleashing devastating firepower on swarming enemies. After every mission, upgrade points allow you to beef up her armor, weapons, and mobility—transforming this single unit into an unstoppable war machine. Balancing resource allocation between constructing disposable units and upgrading Kassandra adds a satisfying layer of strategic decision-making.

Enemy variety keeps combat fresh, featuring 20 distinct machine types with unique attack patterns and vulnerabilities. You’ll need to adapt on the fly, redirecting air units to intercept helicopters, laying down minefields to slow ground advances, and deploying swift planes for hit-and-run strikes. The game’s pacing is excellent: early levels act as a tutorial for unit management and Kassandra’s controls, while later scenarios demand real-time adjustments and split-second timing to survive overwhelming odds.

Multiplayer mode spices up the formula with competitive and cooperative challenges. Achievements grant special bonuses, rewarding players for creative tactics, objective completion speed, and teamwork. Whether you’re coordinating with friends to hold strategic points or engaging in head-to-head skirmishes, the additional layer of player-versus-player action prolongs the game’s lifespan and introduces new levels of strategic depth.

Graphics

Visually, Gromada stands out with richly detailed, fully animated arenas. Each of the 20 battlefields boasts its own flora, fauna, and environmental hazards—ranging from flickering fire pits to looming industrial machinery. The vibrant color palette brings the artificial planet to life, contrasting steel-gray factories with verdant overgrowth and alien bioluminescent flora. This attention to environmental detail enhances immersion and makes each mission feel unique.

Against these backdrops, units are crisply rendered and animated, ensuring that every explosion, smoke trail, and mechanical movement feels weighty and impactful. Kassandra’s design is particularly striking: its gun barrels recoil realistically with each shot, and its treads churn up dust as it rumbles forward. The mix of 2D sprites and subtle 3D effects keeps performance smooth while delivering a modern aesthetic that holds up surprisingly well.

Camera control and zoom features allow you to appreciate both the broader battlefield layout and the fine details of your forces. Smooth scrolling and responsive zooming are crucial when orchestrating large-scale engagements, and Gromada handles these transitions seamlessly. Even when the screen is crowded with dozens of units and particle effects, frame rates remain stable, ensuring you never miss a critical moment due to performance hiccups.

Story

The narrative backdrop of Gromada is straightforward yet compelling: an artificial planet constructed as a vast factory for battle machinery is under siege by mysterious alien invaders. Having seized control of nearly all defense units, the aliens threaten to turn Gromada’s own industrial might against its creators. This setup creates an urgent “last line of defense” scenario that propels you through each mission with a clear and motivating goal.

Kassandra’s resistance provides an engaging focal point for the storyline. As the only machine left free of alien influence, she represents both hope and raw power. Each mission briefing reveals snippets of planetary lore and hints at the aliens’ origins, building curiosity without bogging down the action with excessive exposition. Interspersed audio logs and visual cues encourage exploration of the planet’s hidden corners, rewarding keen-eyed players with additional backstory.

While the narrative is not the game’s primary draw, it effectively contextualizes your progression. As you reclaim factory zones and dismantle alien command centers, the sense of regaining control over Gromada’s war machine facilities feels genuinely satisfying. The story culminates in epic showdowns that tie together gameplay mechanics with narrative stakes, leaving you with a credible sense of triumph when victory is finally achieved.

Overall Experience

Gromada strikes a solid balance between accessible action and deeper strategic gameplay. The combination of base-building, real-time unit deployment, and a powerful upgradeable hero unit ensures that each mission remains engaging and varied. Even seasoned strategy enthusiasts will appreciate the nuanced resource management and the importance of battlefield positioning.

The game’s audiovisual presentation significantly enhances the experience. Detailed arenas, fluid animations, and evocative sound effects draw you into the mechanical chaos of planetary warfare. Addictive multiplayer modes extend replayability, offering new challenges and rewards that motivate you to refine your tactics and climb leaderboards.

While the story serves mostly as a backdrop, it effectively frames the high-stakes conflict and provides momentum throughout the campaign. Gromada’s moderate learning curve eases newcomers into the action, yet veteran players will find its later missions demanding and richly rewarding. For those seeking a mouse-driven war game with strategic depth, robust visuals, and hours of replay value, Gromada delivers an exciting and memorable ride.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10