Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Subversion picks up the pace right from the first mission, offering a seamless blend of turret defense and fast-paced vehicle combat. Players are thrown into a series of missions that demand quick reflexes, precise aiming, and strategic resource allocation. Whether you’re manning a ground-based gun turret or racing through open landscapes in a hovercraft, the controls feel responsive and intuitive—an impressive feat for a 1998 expansion pack.

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The mission variety is one of Subversion’s strongest points. You’ll find yourself escorting convoys, holding strategic choke points against waves of invaders, and performing hit-and-run raids on enemy supply lines. Each scenario introduces new enemy types and environmental hazards, keeping the gameplay fresh and challenging throughout the campaign. The ability to switch between different craft on the fly adds an extra layer of tactical depth.

Balance between offense and defense is key, and Subversion rewards players who adapt their approach on the fly. Ammo and shield pickups are scattered across the battlefield, encouraging exploration and risk-taking. While the game can ramp up in difficulty later on, the gradual introduction of enemy capabilities ensures that newcomers to the Incoming universe can find a foothold before being swarmed by the alien aggressors lurking beneath the surface.

Graphics

For its time, Subversion delivers some of the most impressive visuals in the Incoming series. The fully 3D environments feature detailed textures, dynamic lighting, and believable terrain deformation as explosions rip across the battlefield. Each new landscape—from craggy mountain passes to urban plazas—is rendered with care, ensuring that no two missions look or feel the same.

The expansion’s vehicle and turret models stand out with crisp polygonal designs and distinctive color schemes, making it easy to identify friend from foe at a glance. Particle effects for explosions, smoke trails, and laser blasts are plentiful, adding drama to every engagement. Even on modest hardware of the late ’90s, Subversion manages to maintain a smooth frame rate that keeps the action fluid.

Subtle graphical touches—such as the shimmering heat distortion behind jet engines and the flickering muzzle flashes of heavy cannons—enhance immersion without overwhelming the player. While modern gamers might find the textures a bit dated, the overall art direction holds up thanks to its clear visual hierarchy and cohesive aesthetic.

Story

Subversion builds on the established lore of Incoming: The Final Conflict by thrusting players into an unexpected second wave of alien hostilities. After a period of uneasy peace, mega-corporations scramble to mine and commercialize alien technology, dramatically reshaping Earth’s power balance. This backdrop sets the stage for the US Superblock and European States to fall under sudden attack by enormous fleets of unidentified invaders.

The sense of urgency in the narrative is palpable. Briefing screens and in-mission comms drip-feed bits of intelligence about the new adversaries—giant, heavily armored craft with unknown capabilities. These snippets of story keep players invested without bogging down the action. The Earth Defense Forces, once relegated to mothballed bases, must now rediscover their fighting spirit to repel the onslaught.

While the plot doesn’t reinvent sci-fi storytelling, it excels at providing just enough context to motivate each mission and maintain player engagement. Subversion’s strength lies in its pacing: there’s always a new twist or escalating threat around the corner, ensuring that the storyline never feels static or uninspired.

Overall Experience

As an expansion pack, Subversion not only enriches the core Incoming experience but stands on its own as a polished, adrenaline-fueled shooter. The blend of turret defense and versatile vehicle combat retains the series’ signature arcade feel, while fresh mission objectives and new enemy types give veteran players plenty to chew on. Even today, the fast-paced action and tight controls make it a fun throwback for anyone longing for classic 3D shooters.

The audio design—featuring punchy weapon sounds, atmospheric music cues, and crisp radio chatter—complements the visuals and gameplay seamlessly. Sound effects signal incoming threats and successful hits with satisfying immediacy, reinforcing the sense of being on the front lines of an interplanetary war.

Ultimately, Subversion delivers a cohesive package that balances thrilling combat, solid graphics, and an engaging narrative. It’s a testament to the creativity of late-’90s PC gaming, offering a level of polish and variety that modern retro enthusiasts will appreciate. If you’re a fan of arcade-style shooters with a sci-fi twist, Subversion is well worth exploring.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10