Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Whiplash delivers a refreshingly inventive take on action-platforming by placing you in control of Spanx, a desperate lab animal bound to an indestructible guinea pig named Redmond. From the very first level, you’re introduced to a suite of unique mechanics—dipping Redmond in toxic waste to poison enemies or charging him with electricity to deliver a stunning zap. Each experimentation method feels distinct, encouraging players to experiment freely and discover creative solutions to puzzles and combat scenarios.

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The level design cleverly integrates these mechanics into environmental challenges. You’ll use Redmond’s buoyancy, granted by filling him with helium, to lift Spanx up to higher platforms or trigger switches otherwise out of reach. Enemies are positioned to make each ability feel meaningful: poison works best against armored guards, while electrical shocks disable security cameras and robotic sentries. This interplay keeps the gameplay loop engaging as you learn to combine abilities in increasingly complex arenas.

Combat flows smoothly, striking a balance between frantic action and thoughtful puzzle-solving. Spanx’s movement is nimble, allowing for tight platforming sequences, and attack animations feel responsive, giving you confidence in each maneuver. Even when the action ramps up with multiple foes on screen, the controls remain precise, ensuring you’re always in control of Redmond’s next chemical transformation or electric discharge.

Graphics

Graphically, Whiplash embraces a cartoony, exaggerated art style that perfectly suits its tongue-in-cheek premise. The laboratory is rendered with vibrant colors and slick textures, from the stark metallic corridors to the bubbling vats of experimental goo. Character models are charmingly over-the-top—Spanx’s expressive eyes and Redmond’s unflappable guinea pig grin add personality to every scene.

Lighting plays a significant role in setting the mood. Flickering fluorescent bulbs cast ominous shadows in testing chambers, while emergency sirens bathe rooms in pulsing reds, heightening tension during escape sequences. The visual effects accompanying Redmond’s transformations—green ooze spreading across the floor when poisoned, arcs of electricity crackling through the air—are both satisfying and functional, clearly communicating each ability’s impact.

Performance-wise, Whiplash runs smoothly on target platforms, maintaining a solid frame rate even during the most chaotic boss encounters. Load times between levels are brief, keeping you immersed in the action. Subtle details like particle effects from shattered glass and steam vents in the facility demonstrate the developers’ attention to environmental polish.

Story

The narrative of Whiplash is delightfully absurd, following Spanx as he strives to free himself and his fellow test subjects from a nefarious corporation. Though the premise is simple—escape the lab, sabotage the facility, liberate animals—the storytelling is elevated through witty dialogue and memorable character interactions. Cutscenes are brief but packed with humor, often poking fun at classic “mad scientist” tropes.

While the game never takes itself too seriously, it still manages to inject moments of genuine emotion. Rescuing caged animals—each with unique personalities—creates small payoffs that break up the action. These fleeting glimpses of camaraderie reinforce your motivation to derail the corporation’s sinister experiments. The overarching plot unfolds steadily, revealing just enough backstory about Spanx’s origins to keep you invested without bogging down the fast-paced gameplay.

Boss battles serve as story milestones, pitting you against over-the-top test subjects and malfunctioning security droids. Each encounter is introduced with a brief cinematic that underscores the stakes, enhancing the sense of progression. By the time you face the final showdown with the lab’s mastermind, you’ll feel a genuine sense of accomplishment in seeing Spanx’s journey come full circle.

Overall Experience

Whiplash stands out as a clever and versatile action-platformer that keeps players engaged through its inventive use of a single companion character. The combination of platforming challenges, combat puzzles, and gadget-based problem solving offers a well-rounded experience that rarely feels repetitive. Whether you’re poisoning guards or using helium to glide past hazards, every ability feels integral to your survival.

The game’s strong visual identity and humorous narrative tone work in harmony to create a memorable escape adventure. Its brisk pacing and polished presentation ensure that even lulls between major set-pieces remain interesting, thanks to environmental secrets and optional rescue missions. While some seasoned platformer fans may find certain levels predictable, the satisfying core mechanics and energetic level design more than compensate.

For players seeking a lighthearted but challenging romp, Whiplash delivers on both creativity and fun. Its unique take on companion-based abilities and steady injection of humor make it a standout choice for those looking to break free from the ordinary. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a platforming aficionado, Spanx and Redmond’s daring jailbreak is an experience worth embarking on.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10