Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

At its core, Troll transforms the classic Breakout formula into an action-packed medieval defense. You slip into the heavy boots of a heroic troll, shifting left and right along the bottom of the screen, using your shield to bounce incoming fireballs back toward enemy fortresses. When enemies send reinforcements at ground level, you can switch to your trusty morningstar to dispatch them before they reach the village behind you. This dual-weapon system adds a layer of strategy, forcing you to decide between defense and offense on the fly.

The game spans six distinct areas, each with multiple levels that gradually ramp up in complexity and enemy variety. Randomly triggered bonus stages appear between these levels, rewarding quick reflexes with extra points and occasional power-ups. Floating icons drift down to grant special abilities—turning you into an invincible stone statue, increasing your attack speed, or even amusingly reversing your movement controls. Such surprises keep each play session unpredictable and thrilling.

Boss battles punctuate your journey, tasking you with felling giant siege engines or magic-wielding sorcerers before they utterly destroy the castle you’re forced to defend. These multi-phase encounters combine precise bouncing of fireballs with well-timed morningstar strikes, challenging your mastery of both tools. The satisfying feedback from each ricochet or crushing blow highlights Troll’s commitment to responsive, rewarding controls.

Graphics

Troll’s visual design embraces a vibrant, stylized pixel-art aesthetic that both honors retro inspirations and feels fresh. Backgrounds depict crumbling battlements, flickering torches, and distant siege towers, immersing you in the besieged kingdom of King Uterus. Each area—ranging from frosty mountain passes to molten-lava-flooded valleys—boasts a unique color palette that prevents visual fatigue during long play sessions.

Enemy designs are equally imaginative, from fireball-spitting imps to lumbering ogres that charge your barricade. Smooth animations bring the troll’s shield bashes and morningstar swings to life, while particle effects accentuate every crack in the castle walls and exploding barrel. When special power-ups activate, the screen briefly shimmers or distorts, underscoring the dramatic shift in your capabilities.

Performance remains rock-solid even in the most hectic firefights, with no noticeable frame drops as dozens of projectiles swirl around the screen. Subtle details—like embers drifting down from burning battlements or torches flickering in the wind—add polish to the experience. Together, these graphical flourishes elevate Troll beyond a simple Breakout clone into a richly realized medieval fantasy world.

Story

The narrative thrust of Troll centers on the beleaguered kingdom ruled by poor King Uterus, whose lands face annihilation from a horde of malevolent forces. You play the last line of defense, a noble troll whose bravery—and surprisingly deft paddle-like reflexes—are the only bulwark between the enemy’s fire and the innocent villagers. Though the plot is light, it provides enough context to make each victory feel meaningful.

Story beats unfold between levels via brief text interludes, often laced with tongue-in-cheek humor about the troll’s gruff demeanor and the king’s lamentable financial woes. These vignettes maintain a brisk pace, ensuring they never bog down the action. By the time you approach the final boss, you’re invested enough in the troll’s journey to cheer as the onslaught finally recedes.

World-building emerges through environmental storytelling rather than lengthy cutscenes. Each area’s backdrop hints at past battles—burned-out villages, toppled statues of old heroes, and war-torn bridges. Such details reinforce the stakes without interrupting gameplay flow. For players seeking a straightforward premise wrapped in playful banter and vivid arenas, Troll’s story hits the mark.

Overall Experience

Troll succeeds in breathing new life into a venerable arcade genre by blending fast-paced action, tactical weapon-switching, and a charming medieval motif. The balance between defense (shield) and offense (morningstar) offers a fresh challenge for both series veterans and newcomers. Random bonus rounds and floating power-ups ensure no two runs feel identical, encouraging repeated playthroughs and high-score chases.

While the difficulty curve can spike—particularly during mid-game boss fights—the responsive controls and clear visual feedback make overcoming these hurdles feel earned. For completionists, hidden secrets and achievement-based objectives add an extra layer of engagement. Whether you’re aiming for a casual few minutes of fireball-bouncing fun or a marathon session to top the leaderboards, Troll adapts well to different playstyles.

In sum, Troll is a delightful twist on Breakout that pairs intuitive controls with a whimsical fantasy setting and surprising depth. Its combination of crisp pixel art, dynamic enemy encounters, and lighthearted narrative makes it a standout choice for anyone craving a fresh spin on a classic formula. Potential buyers looking for addictive arcade action with a medieval flair will find much to enjoy here.

Retro Replay Score

null/10