Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

I Was In The War delivers a deceptively simple premise: guide an unarmed, blocky white figure up a single, 70-degree slanted line while avoiding a relentless onslaught of soldiers, bombs, tanks, helicopters and missiles. The core loop revolves around forward motion—standing still or taking a hit causes your character to shrink, and if you shrink too much, it’s game over. Conversely, continuous movement makes you grow, creating a high-stakes balance between aggression and caution that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

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The controls are stripped down to running, jumping, and “flipping” to the opposite side of the line, but this minimalism belies surprising depth. Timing a flip just as an incoming tank rolls by or clearing a barrage of bombs with a well-timed jump feels deeply satisfying, and mastering these maneuvers is key to beating the game. Each obstacle demands split-second decisions, and the risk-reward dynamic—stay in motion to grow but risk a sudden hit—fuels an addictive loop.

Periodic warnings about missile strikes and incoming tanks flash directly on the line itself, forcing players to divide their attention between the terrain ahead and on-screen alerts. With only one life and one chance, every run feels like a tense dash for survival. Points accumulate for every moment the character remains in motion, adding a competitive layer that begs multiple attempts to top your previous high scores.

Graphics

The visual style of I Was In The War is unapologetically minimalist, featuring blocky, monochromatic characters and stark, angular obstacles. This raw aesthetic not only reflects the game’s rapid three-hour development but also underscores its focus on gameplay over frills. The single-line battlefield, tilted at 70 degrees, becomes a character in its own right—a relentless slope that conveys urgency simply through geometry and perspective.

Enemies and hazards are depicted with basic shapes and a limited color palette, yet each element is instantly recognizable. Tanks and helicopters might be little more than rectangles and triangles, but their animations—rolling treads or hovering rotors—are pronounced enough to trigger immediate reactions. The periodic warning text overlays the playfield in bold, high-contrast letters, ensuring you can’t miss an incoming threat.

Despite its simplicity, the game’s visuals never feel sterile. The stark design choices maintain clarity in the heat of the moment, and the gradual scaling of the main character—growing tall or shrinking to almost nothing—provides a constant visual cue of your current status. This clever use of size mechanics reinforces both gameplay and immersion.

Story

While I Was In The War isn’t driven by a traditional narrative, its bare-bones setup evokes a broader commentary on chaos and survival. You’re thrust into a nameless conflict, armed with nothing but your own momentum, and as you climb the angled battlefield, you become both a symbol of persistence and a fragile target. The lack of exposition invites players to project their own interpretations onto the experience.

The fact that the game was created in just over three hours for The Poppenkast’s “10800 second competition” lends a meta-narrative: this frantic dash up a slope mirrors the developer’s race against the clock. Reaching the game’s ending sequence feels like a dual victory—saving your blocky avatar from oblivion and honoring the spirit of rapid, passionate creation that birthed the project.

Although there are no voiced characters or lengthy cutscenes, the ending sequence delivers a satisfying sense of closure. You emerge victorious from the tumbling chaos, hinting at a quiet triumph born from sheer determination. In a way, the sparse storytelling complements the game’s urgency, reminding players that sometimes the most resonant tales are told through gameplay alone.

Overall Experience

I Was In The War stands out as a compelling experiment in minimalism and rapid prototyping. The unorthodox battlefield, one-life mechanic, and size-shifting dynamics combine to create an experience that feels fresh, tense, and undeniably replayable. It’s proof that high-octane thrills don’t require AAA budgets—just an inventive core mechanic and a clear design vision.

Every run feels like a personal gauntlet, with the slanted line, incoming threats, and growth/shrink system working in concert to maintain a breakneck pace. The learning curve is brisk but fair; early failures feel like opportunities to improve rather than cheap deaths. As you refine your timing for flips and jumps, small victories—dodging a missile or outgrowing an obstacle—become deeply gratifying.

For players seeking a bite-sized indie challenge that emphasizes skill and persistence, I Was In The War delivers. Its straightforward presentation and one-shot structure make it perfect for quick sessions or marathon runs, and its surprising depth ensures you’ll return again and again to beat your own best. If you appreciate creative constraints and tight gameplay loops, this title is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

null/10