Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction delivers an exhilarating gameplay loop that centers around pure, unbridled smashing power. You take control of the Hulk in a sprawling open-world environment, able to traverse from the densely packed city streets to the rugged badlands beyond. Movement is intuitive, with the Hulk’s iconic leaps allowing you to cover vast distances in a single bound while maintaining momentum through destructive combos.

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Every object in the world can be used as a weapon or projectile. Lamp posts, cars, dumpsters, even pieces of scaffolding become tools of mayhem under your control. This “weaponization” system encourages creativity, letting you gather everyday items and hurl them at foes or craft makeshift melee weapons. The result is a sandbox where experimentation is rewarded, and every encounter feels different depending on how you choose to engage.

Combat flows smoothly thanks to responsive controls and a robust combo system. You’ll juggle enemies in the air, slam them into the ground, and follow up with brutal throws. Boss encounters against six classic Marvel villains, including the towering Abomination, are well-paced and challenging, requiring you to mix ranged throws with close-quarters brawling. The game strikes a satisfying balance between cinematic spectacle and player agency.

Graphics

For its time, Ultimate Destruction pushes the hardware with expansive draw distances and detailed character models. The Hulk himself is rendered with impressive muscle definition and expressive animations that capture his rage in every punch. Environmental textures vary from the gritty urban sprawl to rocky desert outcrops, creating distinct zones that feel alive as they crumble around your rampages.

Destruction plays a starring role in the visuals, with physics-driven debris, flying particles, and dynamic lighting enhancing the impact of each blow. Whether you’re demolishing an entire building facade or smashing through a line of military tanks, the spectacle is consistently eye-catching. Subtle effects like dust clouds and rubble cascades add depth to the world’s responsiveness.

While some textures and draw-in pop-up can feel dated by modern standards, the overall impression remains strong. Character animations—from Hulk’s thunderous roars to enemy flinches—are both smooth and satisfying. The game’s art direction leans into comic-book aesthetics, using bold color contrasts to highlight destruction sequences and boss encounters, ensuring each moment feels larger than life.

Story

The narrative casts the Hulk against his arch-nemesis, the Abomination, in a free-roaming tale that shifts between external battles and internal struggles. Early missions focus on the cat-and-mouse chase through city streets, building tension as you rescue civilians and confront military forces determined to cage the green behemoth. Dialogue is delivered through comic-style panels, reinforcing the game’s Marvel roots.

As you progress, the plot takes you from urban chaos to the desolate badlands, where clandestine experiments and shadowy operatives seek to harness Hulk’s power. The “Devil Hulk” subplot provides an intriguing psychological twist: you eventually descend into your own mind to face this darker aspect of Bruce Banner’s psyche. These dreamlike sequences offer a change of pace, blending surreal visuals with introspective storytelling.

While the writing leans on familiar superhero tropes, the variety of locations and the gradual escalation of stakes keep the narrative engaging. Boss fights are integrated into the storyline, each confrontation revealing new layers about Hulk’s struggle for control. The game doesn’t aim for Shakespearean drama, but it provides enough context and character moments to give players a sense of progression beyond mere destruction.

Overall Experience

The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction stands out as one of the most fun and liberating superhero games ever made. It captures the fantasy of being an unstoppable force with near-limitless strength, encouraging players to explore and experiment in an environment built for chaos. The balance between structured missions and open-world mayhem creates a satisfying rhythm that never overstays its welcome.

Replayability is high, thanks to the freedom to approach objectives in countless ways. Whether you prefer aerial smash attacks, hurling vehicles from afar, or crafting improvised weapons, the game adapts to your preferred playstyle. Side challenges and hidden collectibles pepper the world, rewarding thorough exploration and adding hours of optional content.

In sum, Ultimate Destruction delivers an unforgettable Hulk experience. Its triumphant blend of free-roaming exploration, interactive environments, and high-impact combat has aged surprisingly well. For fans of comic-book action and players seeking a sandbox built around superhuman power, it remains a must-play title that captures the essence of what it means to be the world’s strongest hero.

Retro Replay Score

8/10