Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Tomak: Save the Earth, Again delivers classic horizontal-scrolling shooter action with a modern twist. Players pilot one of three delightfully unconventional characters—Evian the flowerpot girl, Bastylo the red demon, or Night Moon Shine the arcane wizard—through a gauntlet of airborne and ground-based adversaries. Each stage culminates in an epic boss encounter that spans nearly the entire screen, demanding sharp reflexes and precise movement.

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The core mechanic revolves around a charge point meter that fills with every successful hit on enemy forces. This accumulated blue energy unlocks powerful secondary weapons, which can be swapped on the fly to adapt to varying combat scenarios. Learning when to unleash these weapon upgrades adds a strategic layer to the frantic shooting, forcing players to balance regular fire against more devastating, limited-use attacks.

Arcade Mode supports two-player cooperative play, allowing friends to team up and combine their unique abilities against the relentless onslaught. For those seeking competitive thrills, Versus Mode pits players against one another in point-based battles. Whether you’re coordinating bomb drops to clear the screen or racing to top the leaderboard, Tomak’s gameplay loop remains as addictive as it is challenging.

Graphics

Visually, Tomak: Save the Earth, Again pays homage to the beloved Metal Slug series with its detailed pixel art and over-the-top enemy designs. Backgrounds teem with animated hazards—sizzling lava pits, crumbling ruins, and industrial factories—all rendered in a richly saturated palette that brings each stage to life. The attention to detail ensures that no two levels feel visually identical.

Enemies range from swarms of flying drones to colossal mechanical behemoths that dominate the screen. Large bosses, in particular, feel weighty and intimidating, their multi-phase attack patterns highlighted by smooth sprite animations. When your screen fills with projectiles, you truly get the nostalgic thrill of old-school shooters, but with modern polish and effects.

Character sprites are equally charming: Evian’s flowerpot ship sprouts vines when firing, Bastylo’s fiery aura flickers realistically, and Night Moon Shine leaves a trail of sparkling magic. Particle effects—explosions, spell bursts, and energy bolts—are crisp and impactful, ensuring every shot feels satisfying. The result is a visual feast that balances retro aesthetics with contemporary flair.

Story

While shooters often relegate narrative to brief text dumps, Tomak: Save the Earth, Again weaves a lighthearted tale into its action. The world faces yet another alien invasion, and it’s up to three unlikely heroes—each with their own quirky backstory—to repel the extraterrestrial threat. The premise may be simple, but it serves as an effective backdrop for the game’s high-octane battles.

Evian, Bastylo, and Night Moon Shine aren’t just different in playstyle; they bring distinct personalities to the fray. Evian’s cheerful banter contrasts with Bastylo’s gruff, demonish growls, while Night Moon Shine offers cryptic, mystical commentary. These character-specific voice clips and in-game interactions give the story a playful charm that keeps the mood upbeat, even amid the most intense firefights.

Between levels, brief cutscenes advance the narrative, showcasing the heroes’ camaraderie as well as the alien menace’s bizarre designs. Though the plot doesn’t aim for Nobel Prize–winning depth, it strikes the perfect balance for fans who appreciate a dash of humor and context alongside their bullet hell carnage.

Overall Experience

Tomak: Save the Earth, Again stands out as a compelling entry in the horizontal shooter genre. Its blend of responsive controls, strategic charge-point mechanics, and memorable boss battles ensures that each play session feels fresh. Whether you’re a solo gamer seeking to master every stage or dueling a friend in Versus Mode, the core gameplay loop never grows stale.

The audiovisual presentation elevates the experience, with pixel-perfect art and dynamic sound design enveloping players in a retro-futuristic world. The colorful stages and inventive character designs provide ample motivation to discover every secret route and hidden weapon upgrade. Moments of chaos—when secondary weapons, power-ups, and enemy fire converge—ignite a genuine adrenaline rush.

In the end, Tomak: Save the Earth, Again is more than just another shooter; it’s a love letter to arcade classics, infused with modern twists and whimsical characters. Fans of Metal Slug–style visuals and high-intensity scrolling shooters will find plenty to admire, while newcomers to the genre can jump in without feeling overwhelmed. For anyone craving bold bosses, tight mechanics, and lighthearted fun, this game is a stellar pick.

Retro Replay Score

null/10