Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Zoids Assault blends turn-based strategy with RPG progression, tasking players with commanding Maroll’s 99th Zoid Platoon—Mace Squad—on a covert mission deep into Jamil territory. Each turn unfolds on a hexagonal grid, where positioning and cover fire are as vital as raw firepower. Units gain experience to unlock new skills, and victory often hinges on clever use of EMP grenades to disable larger enemy Zoids before they can counterattack.

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The customization system shines when you salvage parts from defeated foes. Upgrading your Blade Liger’s armor plating or swapping in a high-velocity booster for your Shield Liger creates unique builds that suit a variety of playstyles. Between missions, you allocate limited resources to fit each pilot’s specialty—sniper rifles for long-range ambushes or heavy cannons for breaching fortified positions—and experiment with color schemes to distinguish your elite squad.

Coordination is the name of the game: covering fire allows one Zoid to suppress an enemy, opening a window for a flanking squadmate to deliver a critical blow. Timing EMP bursts can neutralize a berserk enemy Zoid, buying precious turns for repairs or reinforcements. With missions often pitting you against larger forces, learning to chain support abilities and exploit terrain will turn daunting odds into calculated victories.

Graphics

Visually, Zoids Assault remains faithful to the toy model franchise, with richly detailed Zoids that capture the mechanical intricacies of the original designs. Textured metal plating, glowing energy cores, and realistic joint articulation give each unit a tangible, “built” feel. During battle, camera angles rotate seamlessly around the battlefield, showcasing explosive particle effects and debris when armor plates shatter under heavy fire.

Environment design ranges from arid desert outposts to overgrown jungle ruins, each rendered with weathered textures and dynamic lighting that enhances immersion. Day-night transitions and weather effects—such as sandstorms that reduce visibility—add tactical wrinkles and visual variety, ensuring that no two mission locales feel identical.

Cutscenes and dialogue sequences strike a balance between anime-inspired character art and 3D rendered action, maintaining narrative flow without jarring shifts in visual quality. While voiceovers are sparse, subtitle work is clean and expressive, ensuring that story beats land without detracting from the strategic flow.

Story

The narrative thrust of Zoids Assault centers on Mace Squad’s clandestine mission to expose the hidden truths of a decade-long conflict between Hollen and Zenebas. Operating behind enemy lines, the player feels perpetually outgunned, creating narrative tension that fuels every skirmish. As intel trickles in about a secret superweapon, stakes escalate, turning routine sabotage runs into a race against time.

Characterization comes through in mission briefings and post-battle debriefs. Maroll’s steady leadership contrasts with Sergeant Jessica Lambert’s frontline zeal, while Katana squad’s silent professionalism hints at unspoken loyalties. These interpersonal dynamics lend weight to casualties and victories alike, making strategic losses sting and hard-won triumphs personally rewarding.

Pacing is well-judged: early missions act as tutorials, gently introducing cover fire and EMP tactics, while later operations demand complex multi-pronged assaults. Through dialogue logs and environmental storytelling—abandoned research labs, ruined villages—the game weaves a tapestry of moral ambiguity, inviting players to question whether the ends justify the means.

Overall Experience

Zoids Assault delivers a satisfying blend of strategic depth and franchise fan service. The learning curve is approachable, with skill unlocks and part scavenging rewarding experimentation. Despite occasional balance quirks—some enemy Zoids can feel bullet-spongy—the core loop of combat, customization, and narrative progression remains compelling throughout.

For long-time Zoids enthusiasts, the game’s attention to mechanical detail and model authenticity will hit all the right notes. Strategy fans will appreciate the emphasis on tactical positioning, support abilities, and resource management. While the absence of co-op play is a missed opportunity, the solo campaign offers more than enough content to justify multiple playthroughs with different Zoid builds.

In sum, Zoids Assault stands out as a creative re-imagining of the toy franchise, delivering tight, rewarding strategy gameplay wrapped in a high-stakes story of espionage and mechanical warfare. Whether you’re piloting your first Zoid or commanding an elite platoon, the game provides a rich battlefield sandbox that keeps you coming back for one more mission.

Retro Replay Score

5.3/10