Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Raze’s Hell delivers a highly kinetic, action-packed experience that hinges on its playful weapon variety and fast-paced enemy encounters. From the moment you take control of Raze, you’re encouraged to experiment with grenades, sniper rifles, and even his signature acid spit projectile. Each weapon feels distinct in handling and impact, allowing you to tailor your destructive approach to each of the 20 lands you liberate.

The level design emphasizes exploration as much as it does combat. You’ll dash through sprawling arenas, uncover hidden routes, and trigger environmental hazards that turn the tide of battle. Kewlett forts often contain destructible elements that you can exploit—blowing open walls or collapsing walkways to ambush your plush, bunny-rocket-launcher–wielding foes.

Enemy variety is impressive: beyond the standard Kewlett grunts, you’ll face specialized units armed with lollipop axes and exploding jack-in-the-boxes that force you to constantly shift tactics. Boss battles, especially those against the Twisted Princess’s elite minions, test your mastery of Raze’s arsenal and movement abilities, offering satisfying climaxes to each world.

The pacing strikes a careful balance between manic firefights and brief respites of traversal. While combat never becomes repetitive thanks to weapon upgrades and level-specific challenges, some players might find certain areas require backtracking or trial-and-error platforming. Overall, though, the core gameplay loop of destroy, adapt, and advance remains consistently engaging.

Graphics

Visually, Raze’s Hell adopts a stylized, cartoonish aesthetic that complements its dark-humor premise. Environments range from lush forests to twisted, candy-coated strongholds, each rendered with a bright palette that contrasts sharply with the game’s underlying menace. Textures are clean, and the level of detail in enemy models—especially the adorably sinister Kewletts—is commendable.

Special effects are where the game truly shines: grenade explosions, acid splatters, and rocket blasts leave vivid scorch marks and dynamic particle trails. These visual flourishes not only add flair to each encounter but also provide clear feedback on hits and environmental changes. Even on older hardware, frame rates remain steady, ensuring that the rapid combat never feels stuttered.

Character animations strike a balance between fluidity and comedic exaggeration. Raze’s hulking movements feel weighty, while the Kewletts wobble, bounce, and spin with cartoonish delight before being blown to bits. Boss animations, particularly those of the Twisted Princess herself, are impressively choreographed, delivering both spectacle and clarity on attack patterns.

While the artistic direction is strong, some backdrops can feel repetitive after extended play sessions. A few of the later levels reuse terrain assets more liberally, which may break immersion for completionists. Nevertheless, the consistency of the game’s visual identity—from color choices to UI elements—helps maintain a cohesive, enjoyable presentation.

Story

Raze’s Hell sets up a delightfully inverted good-versus-evil narrative: you’re not the cute underdog but a monster striving to save his world from forced “cuteness.” The premise of a benevolent-sounding tyranny—led by the deceptively sweet Twisted Princess—gives the game a satirical edge. As Raze, you battle to prevent every living creature from being transformed into a cookie-cutter Kewlett.

The progression through 20 lands allows for varied storytelling beats, from ominous warnings scrawled on fortress walls to overheard Kewlett conversations that reveal their single-minded obsession. Minor NPC encounters—like liberated villagers or imprisoned monsters—add emotional stakes, even though dialogue delivery relies on sparse text and expressive character animations.

Boss encounters function as narrative milestones, each one crafted to highlight a new facet of the Kewlett hierarchy. Whether you’re facing mechanized bunny tanks or the Twisted Princess’s personal guard, the buildup and payoff remain satisfying. The story wraps up with a climactic showdown that brings Raze’s determination and the Princess’s twisted ideals into direct conflict.

While the narrative isn’t deeply philosophical, its tongue-in-cheek humor and clear objectives make it accessible. Fans of lighthearted, monster-driven tales will appreciate the game’s refusal to take itself too seriously—each cutscene and voice line amplifies the grotesque charm of the world without derailing the relentless action.

Overall Experience

Raze’s Hell offers a unique twist on the run-and-gun genre by placing a monstrous hero in a world overrun by excessive cuteness. The combination of diverse weapons, 20 distinct lands, and memorable boss fights ensures that players remain engaged throughout the roughly 8–10 hour campaign. The humor, while occasionally simplistic, reinforces the game’s identity and provides welcome breaks between intense firefights.

Despite some repetitive level assets and occasional backtracking, the core experience remains solid. Combat feels weighty yet responsive, and the arsenal expands just at the right moments to keep challenges fresh. Players who appreciate high-octane action and don’t mind a few platforming puzzles will find Raze’s Hell a rewarding journey.

The game’s visual style and audio design work in concert to create an immersive, albeit offbeat, atmosphere. Explosions rain candy-colored confetti, acid spits hiss with bubbly splatter sounds, and boss themes emphasize the twisted whimsy of the Kewletts’ reign. These elements lift the game beyond a simple shooter into a memorable caricature of genre clichés.

Ultimately, Raze’s Hell stands out as a cult classic that deserves attention from action fans seeking something out of the ordinary. Its blend of humor, varied weapon mechanics, and bold artistic choices make it a worthwhile purchase for those looking to wreak havoc with a grin on their face. If you’re ready to embrace the dark side of cute, Raze’s Hell will not disappoint.