Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Infernal delivers a hybrid shooter experience that marries classic run-and-gun mechanics with supernatural powers. You’ll switch fluidly between pistols, machine guns, and rocket launchers while tapping into abilities like teleportation, telekinesis, and charged shots. Each power consumes mana, forcing you to weigh conventional firepower against god-like attacks. This resource‐management twist keeps encounters tense and strategic.

The light-and-dark system adds another layer of depth: standing in shadows or dispatching divine enemies refills your mana, while bright areas and churches sap your reserves. You’ll crouch in alleyways, lure foes into dark corners, then unleash devastating powers before retreating. This push-and-pull dynamic elevates each firefight beyond pure reflexes into careful positioning and timing.

Infernal’s level design supports its dual approach. Corridors and rooftops provide classic cover-based shooting arenas, while open courtyards and chapels set the stage for dramatic light/ dark battles. Scavenging enemy remains for ammo, health, and keycards creates a satisfying risk-reward loop: press forward aggressively to replenish supplies, but don’t overextend or you’ll be left vulnerable.

Graphics

Though released in the mid-2000s, Infernal still impresses with its use of lighting and shadow. The glory of sunlit cathedrals and the gloom of back-alley tombs are rendered with dynamic light sources that play directly into the gameplay. Watching your mana bar drain as you step into a halo of white light heightens immersion and underscores the narrative’s mystical stakes.

Character models and enemy designs lean into the game’s angelic-vs-demonic conflict. EtherLight agents glimmer with holy auras, their armor reflecting every beam; Abyssal creatures scuttle through murky corridors. While textures occasionally feel dated, smoke, sparks, and teleportation visuals remain crisp and satisfying when unleashing your most powerful attacks.

Environments offer a variety of settings—from Gothic cathedrals to industrial facilities—each with its own palette and architectural style. The seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor areas take advantage of draw distances that were ambitious for the era. Overall, Infernal’s visuals still hold up when viewed through the lens of its supernatural theme.

Story

At the center of Infernal is Ryan Lennox, a fallen heavenly agent exiled by EtherLight and hunted by a relentless assassin. The premise—Lennox’s defection to Lazarus, ruler of the Abyss—creates an intriguing moral gray area. You’re no longer a clear-cut hero; you’re an antihero caught between two divine powers.

The narrative unfolds through cutscenes and radio transmissions from Black, your Abyssal handler. His sardonic commentary and mission briefings inject dark humor and keep you informed of EtherLight’s catastrophic plans. While the writing occasionally slips into genre tropes, the interplay between Black’s cynicism and Lennox’s deadpan attitude remains consistently engaging.

Infernal’s pacing strikes a good balance between story progression and action set pieces. You’ll witness betrayals, surprising alliances, and escalating stakes as EtherLight prepares for an all-out assault on the Abyss. The episodic mission structure gives each level a clear narrative hook, ensuring you always have a compelling reason to push forward.

Overall Experience

Infernal offers a refreshing twist on the first-person shooter formula by blending conventional weaponry with dark powers tied to a light/dark resource system. This fusion keeps gameplay varied and provides memorable, strategic encounters few other shooters of its time could match. If you enjoy managing resources under pressure, you’ll find plenty to love here.

While some aspects—like AI behavior and texture resolution—show their age, the game’s core mechanics and atmospheric storytelling stand the test of time. Infernal’s sound design, from the echo of gunfire to the whoosh of teleportation, reinforces the intensity and helps immerse you in Lennox’s conflicted odyssey.

In sum, Infernal remains a hidden gem for fans of action-driven narratives and supernatural shooters. Its blend of light/dark gameplay, a morally ambiguous protagonist, and inventive level design create an experience that’s both challenging and rewarding. Whether you’re revisiting it for nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, Ryan Lennox’s dark crusade is well worth the journey.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10