Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

X-COM: Enforcer shifts the franchise’s usual strategic depth into a pure arcade shooter, offering fast-paced, run-and-gun action across thirty levels. The core loop revolves around controlling the titular Enforcer, strafe-running through corridors, blasting aliens, and hunting down transporters to complete each stage. Weapon selection is restricted to one primary armament at a time, which encourages players to continuously swap weapons based on combat scenarios—from rapid-fire chainguns to devastating plasma cannons.

(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 👍)

Progression is punctuated by shops every two levels, where credits earned from kills and found bonuses can be spent on new weapons, armor upgrades, and health replenishments. This economy system provides an addictive layer of resource management, forcing players to decide whether to splurge on a powerful shot weapon or save for armor enhancements. Additionally, discovering hidden question-mark icons unlocks secret weaponry and power-ups, rewarding exploration and replaying stages for completionists.

The controls are instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with Unreal Tournament-era shooters: point, click, and hold to unleash a stream of bullets. While the simplicity makes the game highly accessible, it also leads to repetitive gameplay over time. Enemy waves tend to follow predictable spawn patterns, which can diminish long-term challenge. However, the escalating difficulty—from battling basic Grays to more resilient, heavily armed alien troops—keeps each stage feeling like a fresh test of reflexes.

Cooperative play is notably absent, which is a missed opportunity given the game’s arcadey design. Instead, the single-player campaign stands on its own, with scoring boards and “bonus” levels providing some replay value. The occasional puzzle-like segment—activating switches, clearing debris—adds variety, but most players will be drawn back by the pure thrill of mowing down alien hordes in enclosed arenas.

Graphics

Built on the mature Unreal Tournament engine, X-COM: Enforcer’s visuals were impressive for its 2001 release, delivering detailed weapon models, dynamic lighting effects, and fluid enemy animations. The gritty, industrial environments—from dusty hangars to toxic swamps—are distinct enough to keep the eye engaged as you progress deeper into alien-infested territory. Particle effects, such as explosive debris and plasma trails, heighten the sensation of raw firepower.

Enemies range from small scout aliens to hulking Mega Corps units, each with its own textured skin and movement patterns. While textures can appear blocky by modern standards, the game’s color palette—rich greens, rusted metals, and glowing alien flora—creates an atmosphere that feels suitably otherworldly. The hardware requirements of the time meant that most PCs of the era could run the game at a stable framerate, ensuring smooth combat without sacrificing graphical fidelity.

Cutscenes and in-game communications are delivered via static images and overlay text rather than full-motion video. This minimalist approach to storytelling keeps the focus on gameplay but may disappoint players expecting cinematic flair. Sound design pairs well with the visuals, featuring chunky weapon fire, alien screeches, and atmospheric ambient tracks that underscore moments of tension—particularly in darker, enclosed levels where visibility is limited.

Overall, while the graphics have aged, they retain a nostalgic charm for fans of early 2000s shooters. Modern players might notice pixelation and less-detailed assets, but the underlying art direction still conveys the desperation and raw energy of an all-out war against an alien invasion.

Story

Unlike previous X-COM titles, where narrative choices and squad-level tactics took center stage, Enforcer presents a streamlined backstory: Professor Able Standard defied budget cuts to build an unstoppable war machine in the heart of the Nevada desert. This premise sets the stage for a straightforward revenge tale—push back the aliens, avenge humanity, and prove that Standard’s creation was no folly. The story serves its purpose as a framing device but is never more than a series of briefing texts and terse voiceovers.

Dialogues with Professor Standard appear between levels as text pop-ups, occasionally spiced with mission objectives or hints about hidden collectibles. There’s a pulp-science-fiction feel to these exchanges, though they lack character development or emotional depth. Enforcer itself remains a silent protagonist, letting the player embody the role without distraction, but this also means there’s little personal investment in the hero’s journey.

Alien motivations are similarly shallow: they invade, you retaliate, rinse and repeat. There are no moral quandaries, no diplomatic options, and no base management to deepen the narrative. For players seeking a robust story or branching plotlines, this may feel like a letdown. However, for those who prefer non-stop action without narrative detours, the thin storyline ensures the gameplay remains front and center.

Ultimately, X-COM: Enforcer’s story is best viewed as classic arcade scaffolding—enough context to justify the carnage, but never enough to slow down the player. It’s a deliberate design choice that aligns with the game’s focus on high-octane shooting rather than strategic depth.

Overall Experience

X-COM: Enforcer offers a distinct departure from the series’ strategic roots, trading grid-based tactics and resource management for unrelenting third-person shooter action. This transformation succeeds in delivering quick, gratifying bursts of combat, making it an ideal pick-up-and-play title for fans of old-school arcade shooters. The well-balanced weapon upgrades and shop system add a light RPG element, motivating players to hunt down secrets and optimize loadouts for maximum carnage.

That said, the game’s limitations become more apparent over extended play sessions. Repetitive level layouts, predictable enemy waves, and the absence of multiplayer co-op can make the experience feel stale after the initial thrill wears off. Modern gamers accustomed to evolving sandbox environments and online play may find the linear progression and lack of depth uninspiring.

From a historical perspective, Enforcer stands as an interesting experiment within the X-COM umbrella—a bold attempt to diversify the franchise’s gameplay repertoire. While it doesn’t eclipse its strategic predecessors or successors, it carves out its own niche for those craving straightforward, arcade-style blasting. If you approach the title expecting a high-energy diversion rather than a deep tactical simulation, you’ll appreciate its relentless pacing and weapon variety.

In conclusion, X-COM: Enforcer is a competent action shooter that shines in short sessions and nostalgia-driven playthroughs. It may not satisfy die-hard strategy buffs, but for anyone looking to don the mantle of an unstoppable combat robot and mow down alien invaders, it delivers exactly what it promises—three dozen levels of pure, unadulterated blasting fun.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10