Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

No Respect puts you at the helm of a highly maneuverable hovering gun-ship, pitting you against both AI opponents and up to seven friends over a local area network. From the moment you launch, the game’s fast-paced, deathmatch-based encounters demand quick reflexes and tactical thinking. Whether strafing enemies from above or weaving through narrow canyon corridors, the core mechanics feel tight and responsive.

Each gunship in your hangar comes with its own set of attributes—speed, armor, and firepower—alongside a unique pilot biography that can affect in-battle perks. You’ll quickly learn to match ship type to playstyle, choosing nimble scouts for hit-and-run tactics or heavy brutes to soak up damage while unleashing devastating volleys. The upgrade system deepens customization further, letting you fine-tune weapons, shields, and engines to tackle increasingly challenging arenas.

The AI opponents scale in difficulty as you progress, introducing smarter behaviors like flanking maneuvers and coordinated ambushes. Single-player matches feel like intense training grounds, preparing you for the real test: LAN battles. Jumping into a local match with friends highlights the game’s true potential, transforming every skirmish into a dynamic test of skill, teamwork, and improvisation.

Graphics

No Respect leverages a cutting-edge voxel engine to render its environments and ships in crisp, stylized detail. From the jagged rock formations of desert arenas to the neon-lit corridors of space stations, each map bursts with vibrant color and geometric charm. The voxel aesthetic not only gives the game a distinctive look but also allows for destructible terrain, turning cover into chaos in the heat of battle.

Particle effects for explosions, tracer rounds, and energy shields pop against the blocky backdrops, creating a satisfying visual payoff every time a missile strikes home. Lighting is handled impressively, with dynamic shadows and flickering emergency lights adding atmosphere to night-time or subterranean levels. Performance remains surprisingly smooth, even when multiple players unleash heavy artillery simultaneously.

Customization extends beyond stats—your ship’s paint job and decal choices are fully visible in combat. Watching your personalized markings scorch into enemy hulls is a small but welcome detail. With moderate system requirements and scalable settings, No Respect delivers consistently impressive visuals on a wide range of hardware.

Story

While No Respect centers primarily on intense vehicular combat, it weaves a lightweight narrative of interstellar rivalry and mercenary mayhem. You assume the role of a freelance pilot navigating faction politics in a fractured galaxy. Early briefings hint at a mysterious energy source fueling the conflict, providing just enough intrigue to motivate each deathmatch.

Pilots are more than mere skins: each contender’s backstory is revealed through pre-match banter and post-battle dialogue. Whether you’re facing off against a rogue ex-general or a hotshot rookie, these personality snippets lend a sense of rivalry and progression. Missions may feel loosely connected, but they build a sense of escalating stakes as you battle through war-torn planets and smuggler outposts.

The narrative pacing suits the game’s arcade roots—don’t expect deep cutscenes or branching dialogue trees. Instead, you get punchy mission tags, pilot quips, and environmental lore scattered across arena walls and data terminals. This approach keeps the action front and center while still offering context for your high-flying skirmishes.

Overall Experience

No Respect excels at delivering high-octane, accessible aerial combat that’s as rewarding in solo deathmatches as it is in local multiplayer showdowns. The blend of ship customization, varied arenas, and voxel-based destruction keeps each match feeling fresh and unpredictable. Whether you’re grinding through the single-player ladder or rallying friends for an all-out LAN brawl, the game’s core loop hooks you from the first dogfight.

Its approachable learning curve makes it easy for newcomers to pick up, while the depth of pilot abilities and upgrade paths ensures long-term engagement for seasoned players. The voxel graphics give No Respect a unique visual identity, and performance remains rock-solid even in the most chaotic battles. Small touches—like custom paint jobs and pilot banter—add personality without detracting from the action.

Overall, No Respect strikes an excellent balance between arcade thrills and strategic nuance. It’s a strong choice for anyone seeking fast-paced, customizable combat with friends or for those craving quick solo sessions brimming with explosions and upgrades. If you’re ready to dominate the skies and carve your path to victory, this gun-ship arena shooter is well worth a look.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10