Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Lunar Jetman builds on the frantic platforming action of its predecessor but adds a welcome layer of strategy and resource management. You begin each stage strapped into your jetpack with only a finite supply of fuel, forcing you to plan your movements carefully. Touching down safely on the surface, you’ll hop into your lunar rover, which serves as both a mobile fuel station and a transport system.

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The clever addition of bridging units transforms what could have been a straightforward run-and-gun into a thoughtful puzzle. You need to scout the terrain, identify craters that block your rover’s path, and deploy limited bridge segments to get past them. Once you’ve plotted a clear route, you can commandeer your rover to pick up a bomb and transport it to the alien installation hidden somewhere on the map.

A ticking clock heightens the tension: each level has a strict time limit, and failure to demolish the alien base in time results in Earth’s destruction. Alien craft swoop in to harass you, your jetpack fuel dwindles rapidly, and every wrong turn could strand you in hostile territory. This blend of action, exploration, and careful planning gives Lunar Jetman a unique rhythm that keeps you on your toes.

Graphics

Visually, Lunar Jetman is a direct descendant of Jetpac, sporting the same bright palette and chunky sprites that defined many ZX Spectrum classics. The color choices—vivid blues for the sky, stark whites and greys for the ground, and bold reds for the alien bases—ensure that each element stands out clearly, even in the heat of action.

Despite the Spectrum’s limitations, the game achieves surprisingly smooth scrolling as you pilot your jetpack across the lunar surface. The animation of your character and the bouncing aliens is crisp, and the occasional explosion when you detonate a base delivers a satisfying flash on screen. The layering of foreground and background elements gives a sense of depth to the otherwise flat playfield.

Small touches, like the flicker of your rover’s headlights in dark craters or the debris floating in warp space during the opening sequence, demonstrate careful design. While the visuals won’t rival modern titles, they capture the charm and immediacy of early ’80s home-computer arcade action, making it easy to lose yourself in the challenge.

Story

The narrative in Lunar Jetman is refreshingly straightforward: a botched multi-stage rocket launch sends our hero hurtling through space into a newly discovered planet overrun by hostile aliens. The stakes couldn’t be higher—if you fail, Earth is left defenseless. This setup—delivered in just a few lines of text—provides enough context to drive your mission without bogging you down in exposition.

Each level represents a new frontier on the alien world, complete with hidden bases waiting to be located and booby-trapped craters to navigate. The simplicity of the story leaves room for the gameplay to shine, and the ever-present timer injects a sense of urgency that keeps the narrative ticking along at a brisk pace.

While there’s no branching plot or character dialogue, the premise works perfectly for an arcade-style title. You know why you’re here, you know what you must do, and every successful demolition of an alien base feels like a tangible victory for humanity. The minimalism of the story is part of the game’s old-school appeal.

Overall Experience

Lunar Jetman offers a compelling blend of platforming, resource management, and light puzzle-solving that sets it apart from many other Spectrum-era shooters. The learning curve is gentle at first but ramps up quickly—by the mid-game stages, you’ll need precise timing, careful planning of bridge placements, and deft fuel conservation to succeed.

Replayability is high, thanks to the increasing complexity of alien bases and the chase for higher point totals. Each run feels fresh, especially as you devise new strategies for linking craters or outmaneuvering relentless alien attackers. The intuitive controls make it easy to dive back in and try again as you learn from each failure.

For fans of retro gaming or anyone curious about the origins of modern action-puzzlers, Lunar Jetman is a must-play. It may look simple by today’s standards, but its tight design, escalating challenge, and imaginative premise still deliver a thrill. Jetman’s mission to save Earth might be pixelated, but the fun is as real as ever.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10