Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Conan delivers a visceral hack-and-slash experience that puts you in full control of the Cimmerian’s deadly arsenal. With over 100 brutal moves spread across three distinct weapon styles—one-handed, two-handed, and unarmed—each encounter feels fresh and dynamic. Combining rapid combos with devastating finishing maneuvers, you’ll leap over foes to decapitate them mid-air or pile-dive adversaries into the earth, creating satisfying bursts of blood and gore.

Beyond pure combat, the game weaves in light puzzle-solving elements that prevent the action from becoming monotonous. Whether it’s luring enemies onto spike-laden walls, triggering environmental hazards like crushing boulders, or operating stationary bow turrets from behind cover, these interactive sequences give you a brief respite from endless swordplay while challenging your observational skills.

Conan’s progression system also adds depth for hardcore players. As you slice through armies and free hidden slaves scattered across desert outposts and palace corridors, you’ll unlock new moves, elemental magic attacks, and achievements. Hunting down every secret shrine and decimating all recruits in your path will reward completionists with a fully upgraded barbarian capable of taking on ancient gods.

Graphics

Visually, Conan strikes a balance between gritty realism and larger-than-life fantasy. The deserts are sun-bleached wastelands dotted with ruined temples, while the palace interiors boast ornate columns, flickering torchlight, and pools of blood that reflect the brutality of your journey. Each locale—from creaking ships in stormy seas to dimly lit catacombs—feels distinct and atmospheric.

The character models and animations are where the game truly shines. Conan’s muscular frame moves fluidly through each combo, and foes react believably when severed limbs tumble or bodies collapse under the weight of your strikes. The gore effects are unapologetically graphic but never gratuitous, emphasizing the primal ferocity of Conan’s world without sliding into cartoonish territory.

Lighting and particle effects further enhance immersion. Dust motes swirl in desert winds, magic spells crackle with elemental energy, and sparks fly when a blade meets shield. Even the smallest details—like sand crunching beneath Conan’s boots or water splashing off metal during ship battles—contribute to a visually coherent and engaging experience.

Story

The narrative in Conan stays true to Robert E. Howard’s original tales of the Cimmerian wanderer. Tasked with cleansing the earth of ancient evils, Conan finds himself embroiled in demonic plots, divine conspiracies, and bloody sieges. While the overall plot isn’t groundbreaking, it provides a solid framework for the set-piece battles and dungeon crawls that define the gameplay.

Storytelling unfolds through brief cutscenes and on-the-fly dialogue rather than lengthy cinematic interludes. This keeps you focused on the action, but it also means character development is light. Conan himself remains the stoic, battle-hardened hero fans love, even if side characters and villains are mostly one-dimensional. The lore is mainly conveyed through environmental details—cryptic runes on temple walls, shrines dedicated to long-forgotten gods, and whispers of curses echoing through catacombs.

Despite its straightforward approach, the narrative stakes feel appropriately grand. Battling armies of undead warriors, storming impregnable fortresses, and ultimately confronting godlike beings give you a genuine sense of progression and urgency. It’s classic sword-and-sorcery fare, elevated by the promise of rediscovering ancient mysteries and the thrill of high-stakes combat.

Overall Experience

Conan’s blend of hack-and-slash combat, environmental puzzles, and brutal visual flair makes for an adrenaline-fueled ride. The learning curve is approachable: basic combos are easy to pick up, while mastering advanced moves and environmental kills provides enough depth to keep seasoned action fans engaged. The inclusion of elemental magic and interactive objects ensures combat rarely feels repetitive.

The variety of environments—sandy dunes, creaking warships, shadowy catacombs, and opulent palaces—helps maintain momentum across the campaign. Add in the satisfaction of freeing hidden semi-nude slave women for bonus points (in line with Howard’s adult-oriented themes) and a slew of achievements for completionists, and you have plenty of reasons to revisit stages for full exploration and maximum gore.

While the story doesn’t break new ground, it serves its purpose as a backdrop for epic battles and dark fantasy set pieces. Whether you’re a die-hard Conan fan or simply seeking a hardcore action title, Conan offers a robust, blood-soaked adventure that captures the raw spirit of the Cimmerian legend. Draw your sword, embrace the carnage, and prepare for a journey that will test your combat skills and your appetite for violence.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10