Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Infantry delivers a frenetic online-only multiplayer experience that places you in the center of fast-paced, team-based combat. At its core, the game supports a variety of modes—ranging from classic marines versus aliens battles to inventive sports themes like Gravball, futuristic football, and high-speed hockey matches. Each mode runs off the same robust engine, ensuring a consistent feel while offering distinct objectives and tactics to master.

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Joining a match is seamless: you can either jump straight into the action or spectate to scout maps and strategies before committing. The in-game chat window is a critical tool, allowing players to coordinate attacks, call out enemy positions, or simply trash-talk for fun. This real-time communication elevates teamplay and often turns tight matches into nail-biting showdowns when squads synchronize their efforts.

One of the most compelling aspects of Infantry’s gameplay is the level of customization available. Beyond choosing your loadout—balancing weapon weight, armor type, and mobility enhancements—you can also build custom levels and gametypes using the publicly released editing tools. Community-created content periodically rotates into the official servers, keeping the pool of battlegrounds fresh and rewarding creative players who design the next hit mode.

With simultaneous matches of different types running on public servers, finding the game that suits your mood is never a problem. Whether you prefer objective-driven CTF battles or the chaotic free-for-all of alien skirmishes, Infantry’s accessible matchmaking and spectator options ensure that every session feels dynamic and accessible, even for newcomers.

Graphics

Though originally released in the late ’90s and updated over subsequent years, Infantry’s graphics engine still holds up for a retro sci-fi shooter. Textures are relatively simple by modern standards, but vibrant color palettes and bold level designs help differentiate each game type, making it easy to identify objectives and friendly units at a glance.

Level geometry and map layouts are clean and functional, prioritizing clear sight lines and predictable chokepoints over photorealism. Particle effects—such as plasma blasts, rocket trails, and shield flares—add visual flair without overwhelming the action. These effects help convey the high-energy atmosphere of matches, reinforcing the science fiction theme that underpins every gametype.

The modular HUD is both minimalistic and informative, displaying critical data like health, ammunition, and objective timers without cluttering the screen. Menus and chat overlays are straightforward, allowing players to quickly change loadouts or communicate with teammates on the fly. While not revolutionary, the UI design remains serviceable for extended play sessions.

Custom player-created maps sometimes push the engine in unexpected ways, showcasing imaginative designs that can feel more polished than some of the official offerings. This variability is a double-edged sword: while standout community levels can dazzle, lower-quality submissions occasionally appear. Fortunately, the public testing rotation ensures that only the most engaging user-made maps stick around for long-term play.

Story

Infantry doesn’t follow a traditional single-player campaign or linear narrative. Instead, it presents a loose science fiction framework in which humanity’s elite marines clash with alien invaders—or compete in futuristic sports leagues—to assert dominance across distant outposts. The backstory is deliberately sparse, giving players freedom to imbue their battles with personal meaning and rivalries.

Each gametype offers a slice of this universe: marines vs aliens matches evoke survival horror in open arenas, while Gravball and other sports modes hint at humanity’s drive to entertain itself even amidst interstellar conflict. The game’s setting feels like a distant colony world where everything—warfare or recreation—takes place in high-tech domes and orbital stations.

Community-driven narrative emerges organically through player interaction. Clan rivalries, memorable comebacks, and surprising tactical maneuvers become the true story of Infantry. The in-game chat logs often read like snippets of an ongoing saga, as seasoned squads claim legendary status and newcomers strive to make their mark.

With the release of the editing toolkit, user-created maps sometimes include custom lore elements—unique mission briefings, thematic textures, or scripted events—that further enrich the world. While not a structured storyline, these contributions allow creative players to craft mini-campaigns within Infantry’s sandbox, deepening the sense of shared history.

Overall Experience

From its early days on Brainscan Interactive’s EnterNET Global Network to its evolution under Sony Online Entertainment’s Station Pass and eventual free-to-play model, Infantry has maintained an enduring community. The low barrier to entry—thanks to its free-to-play status and straightforward client—means you can jump in at any time and find active servers packed with newcomers and veterans alike.

The balance between official and user-generated content keeps the experience from growing stale. Frequent map rotations and gametype submissions foster a sense of discovery: it’s common to log in expecting a routine match, only to be surprised by an inventive new arena or rule set created by a fellow player. This ongoing novelty is a key reason the game has thrived for over two decades.

While modern shooters boast hyper-realistic visuals and single-player narratives, Infantry’s strength lies in its simplicity and community focus. Matches are quick to start, easy to learn, and emphasize pure competitive fun. The science fiction theme feels genuine without becoming overbearing, letting gameplay shine as the main attraction.

For players who value tight multiplayer action, customizable content, and a dedicated player base, Infantry offers a compelling package. It may lack bells and whistles of AAA titles, but its enduring design, active modding scene, and free-to-play model make it a must-try for fans of team-based shooters looking for a retro-flavored online arena.

Retro Replay Score

null/10