Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

NiBiRu: Age of Secrets offers a classic point-and-click adventure experience that will feel both familiar and fresh to longtime fans of the genre. You guide Martin Holan through a variety of richly detailed environments, from the dimly lit tunnels outside Prague to the sun-baked terraces of a Mexican village. The game’s entirely mouse-driven interface encourages exploration: left-clicking lets you interact with objects and characters, while right-clicking reveals hidden clues and contextual options that are essential for solving many of the puzzles.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The puzzle design strikes a fine balance between logic-based challenges and narrative-driven tasks. Traditional inventory puzzles require you to combine or modify items, while situation puzzles force you to pay close attention to your surroundings and dialogue. A handful of brain teasers ramp up the difficulty for seasoned adventurers, ensuring that no two sequences feel repetitive. If you make a misstep, death scenes are brief and forgiving—respawning you immediately before the error so you can try again without losing precious progress.

Martin’s movement is handled via single-click navigation, but double-clicking on doorways or exits instantly warps him to the next screen. This small convenience speeds up backtracking and keeps the pacing brisk, especially during later sections where multiple locations intersect. The infinite save system and optional subtitles further enhance accessibility, letting you pause and resume at will or follow along with every cryptic line of dialogue without fear of missing a clue.

Graphics

As a faithful remake of the 1998 title Posel Bohů, NiBiRu: Age of Secrets significantly upgrades the original’s visuals without sacrificing its atmospheric charm. High-resolution backgrounds bring the underground vaults and sunlit plazas to life, with careful attention to period-appropriate details—dusty machinery, cracked stone walls, and ancient hieroglyphs. Dynamic lighting effects lend a cinematic quality to each scene, from dramatic shadows in the German tunnels to the warm glow of candlelight in hidden Mayan chambers.

Character models and animations have also seen a notable refresh. Martin moves with realistic weight and fluidity, and his facial expressions subtly reflect curiosity, surprise, or determination as the plot unfolds. NPCs are well-animated too, gesturing believably during conversations and reacting in character-appropriate ways to Martin’s inquiries. Although the cutscenes remain largely static, well-placed camera angles and occasional panning shots keep them engaging.

The game’s art direction blends historical authenticity with a touch of the fantastical. Gothic architecture, dusty mining shafts, and vine-covered ruins all feel grounded in reality, yet hints of alien symbology and futuristic technology peek through in graffiti-like markings and hidden devices. The result is a cohesive visual identity that underscores NiBiRu’s theme of secret knowledge buried beneath the sands of time.

Story

NiBiRu’s narrative thrusts you into a conspiracy rooted in World War II history and interplanetary mystery. Sixty years after the Allies thwarted the Nazis’ global ambitions, you stumble upon an abandoned German tunnel complex west of Prague. Archaeologist Martin Holan is tasked with the investigation, soon discovering voluminous archives detailing a clandestine project tied to a mysterious planet—NiBiRu—rumored to lurk somewhere in our solar system.

The story excels in layering intrigue and historical speculation. Flashbacks to wartime experiments and overheard Nazi radio transmissions hint at advanced technologies and catastrophic weaponry that could have changed the course of history. Martin follows a breadcrumb trail that leads him from dusty archives to noirish Parisian streets and ultimately to a remote Mexican town, where ancient Mayan ruins guard the final secrets. Each locale reveals more of the Third Reich’s unfinished agenda and the moral quandaries of resurrecting such knowledge.

Voice acting and dialogue writing maintain a consistently engaging tone. Martin’s curiosity feels genuine, and supporting characters—from skeptical local officials to eccentric academics—fill out the world with distinct personalities. While some exposition scenes can slow the pace, the payoff in later chapters is satisfying: you gradually piece together a world-spanning conspiracy and face choices that underscore the tension between power and responsibility.

Overall Experience

NiBiRu: Age of Secrets is a compelling blend of history, science fiction, and classic adventure gameplay. Its polished visuals and refined interface make exploration a pleasure, while the diverse puzzles ensure that your brain stays engaged from start to finish. The lack of a time limit and the forgiving save system mean you can savor the story at your own pace, making it accessible to newcomers and veterans alike.

As a remake of a late ’90s classic, NiBiRu retains the spirit of its predecessor while modernizing key elements to meet contemporary standards. The seamless transitions between locations, the thoughtful use of subtitles, and the well-balanced difficulty curve demonstrate a clear respect for both the source material and the expectations of today’s players. If you’re drawn to narrative-driven adventures with historical flair and extraterrestrial intrigue, this title is sure to captivate you.

Ultimately, NiBiRu: Age of Secrets shines as an immersive, story-rich experience that rewards careful observation and critical thinking. Whether you’re piecing together Nazi-era blueprints in a frost-covered bunker or decoding Mayan glyphs by torchlight, the game consistently stokes your curiosity. Prepare to embark on a globe-spanning quest into the heart of a centuries-old secret—just remember to save often, and expect a few mind-bending puzzles along the way.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10