Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Bomberman: Act:Zero retains the classic grid-based bomb-dropping mechanics that fans of the series know well, but reimagines them through two distinct perspectives. In Standard Mode, you navigate levels from an overhead view, strategically placing bombs to clear destructible blocks and eliminate genetically modified enemies. A single hit in this mode means instant death, making precise timing and cautious movement essential. The familiar thrill of chaining explosions and outmaneuvering foes remains the core loop.

First Person Bomber shifts to a third-person, over-the-shoulder camera that aims to intensify immersion in the subterranean laboratory setting. Here, you have a life bar that allows multiple hits before failure, yet the limited field of view can make it challenging to anticipate blast patterns. Controls feel weightier in this mode, and the slower pacing demands a more methodical approach to bomb placement and evasion.

The single-player campaign spans 99 levels, each with its own layout of breakable blocks, enemies, and power-up drops. Some blocks conceal enhancements such as increased bomb capacity, extended blast radius, or temporary speed boosts. While the level design grows incrementally more complex, the absence of autosave checkpoints between stages can lead to lengthy repeats if you fall short near the end. For those seeking a competitive edge, multiplayer supports up to eight players online in both camera modes, offering chaotic battles that hark back to classic Bomberman party sessions.

Graphics

In stark contrast to the bright, cartoonish art style of previous Bomberman entries, Act:Zero adopts a grim, industrial palette. Shafting the series’ trademark whimsy, it plunges players into dimly lit corridors, corroded metal walls, and ominous laboratory chambers. The change in aesthetic delivers a sense of oppression befitting the story’s subject matter, but the trade-off is that many environments can feel visually monotonous after extended play.

Character models and enemy designs aim for a bio-engineered horror look, with bulky armor plating, exposed mechanical joints, and glowing visors. While these designs underscore the game’s darker tone, texture quality and polygon counts are modest, and animations occasionally appear stiff. Explosions pack a satisfying punch, but the accompanying particle effects lack the vibrancy and polish seen in more modern titles.

Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly on dedicated hardware, maintaining a steady frame rate even during eight-player matches. Level loading is reasonably quick, though you may notice occasional pop-in as distant walls and obstacles load in. Overall, the graphics support the oppressive ambiance, but the visual overhaul doesn’t quite match the refinement expected from a contemporary Bomberman spin-off.

Story

Bomberman: Act:Zero weaves a narrative around genetically enslaved test subjects trapped deep beneath the earth. You assume the role of one such captive, determined to fight your way through a secret underground lab and escape to the surface. The premise is darker than the series’ typically lighthearted fare, aiming to give each bombed corridor and shattered block greater narrative weight.

Story beats are delivered through brief cutscenes and minimal in-game dialogue between levels, illustrating the bleak circumstances of the experimenters and their victims. While laudable in intent, the writing can feel sparse and functional—enough to justify your forward momentum but lacking in emotional depth. There are no named companions or major plot twists to invest in, so the tale serves primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a driving force.

Level progression loosely follows the idea of ascending floors in the subterranean complex, with environmental details hinting at deeper, more secretive test chambers. Despite the 99-level journey, the lack of varied narrative set pieces leads to a sense of repetition. Those hoping for a richly layered storyline may be left wanting; however, players seeking straightforward liberation through explosive action will appreciate the clarity of purpose.

Overall Experience

Bomberman: Act:Zero offers a bold departure from the series’ signature charm, presenting familiar mechanics under a grim, dystopian veneer. The dual-mode approach—Standard overhead view and First Person Bomber—adds variety, though neither mode fully capitalizes on its potential. Fans of methodical, puzzle-like bomb placement may prefer the classic top-down style, while those intrigued by a more cinematic viewpoint will find the over-the-shoulder camera novel but occasionally cumbersome.

The 99-level single-player gauntlet provides plenty of content, but the lack of autosave checkpoints and sparsely written narrative can make the slog feel repetitive. Online multiplayer is the highlight for many, injecting frantic energy into a darker universe and recreating that addictive group-play experience. Visually, the game’s industrial environments reinforce the storyline but don’t showcase the most advanced technical achievements of its generation.

In the end, Act:Zero is a daring experiment that may appeal primarily to hardcore series aficionados or players curious about a grittier take on Bomberman. While it stumbles in pacing, narrative depth, and visual polish, it still delivers the satisfying core of strategic bomb-based combat. Potential buyers should weigh their tolerance for bleak aesthetics and moderate difficulty spikes against their love of Bomberman’s classic formula.

Retro Replay Score

3.9/10