Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Strontium Dog: The Killing places you squarely in the helmet of mutant bounty hunter Johnny Alpha as you navigate a sprawling, top-down maze spanning more than 200 interconnected rooms. Your primary objective is clear: eliminate every one of the 93 notorious criminals participating in “The Killing” tournament and collect their bounties. Movement feels tight and responsive, which is crucial when enemies can spring ambushes from hidden medical stations or chokepoints in narrow corridors.

The core combat loop revolves around Johnny’s blaster, which handles the vast majority of encounters with ruthless efficiency. However, not every scenario can be solved by pulling the trigger. Special areas—such as the medical stations—require you to switch tactics, firing an electro flare through ventilation shafts to temporarily disable occupants before moving in. These puzzle-like segments break up the run-and-gun pacing and inject moments of strategic planning into the experience.

Beyond standard grunts, you’ll face memorable adversaries lifted directly from the comic pages. The android juggernaut Steelkreeg barrels through corridors with heavy firepower, forcing you to dodge and kite before landing shots. Barnak Spraks, the master of deceit, often feigns death in a bloody heap only to spring up at the last second. This variety of foes keeps each stage of the maze feeling fresh, and learning their patterns becomes part of the fun.

Graphics

On the ZX Spectrum hardware, The Killing manages to deliver surprisingly detailed visuals that evoke the gritty, sci-fi aesthetic of 2000 AD. Each room is constructed from tile sets that combine bold primary colors with darker outlines, creating a clear distinction between walls, floors, and interactive objects. Johnny and his quarry are rendered in easily recognizable silhouettes, ensuring you always know who’s who in the heat of battle.

Animation is relatively smooth given the system’s limitations—blaster shots and electro flares flicker convincingly in the gloom of the corridors, and enemies have distinct motion frames to telegraph their attacks. While sprites occasionally exhibit color clash typical of the Spectrum’s graphical quirks, the overall presentation remains immersive rather than distracting. Loading screens featuring comic-style artwork help set the tone before each play session begins.

The level design is both functional and atmospheric. Subtle shading on walls suggests depth, while occasional decorative elements—control panels, vents, and broken machinery—add context to the clandestine arenas where these galactic death matches take place. Though it’s a far cry from modern polygonal environments, Strontium Dog’s visuals deliver a coherent, polished look that serves the action well.

Story

Drawing inspiration directly from a popular 2000 AD storyline, The Killing adapts its source material with surprising fidelity. The premise—an annual bloodsport where the galaxy’s most heinous criminals clash to the death—sets up a dark backdrop for Johnny Alpha’s mission of vengeance and justice. Brief text interludes between levels recap the comic plot and keep you invested in the hunt for the despotic organizers behind the carnage.

As you delve deeper into the maze, lore-rich snippets appear in loading screens and mission briefings, fleshing out the motivations of both hero and villain. You can almost hear the comic’s exaggerated sound effects and color-soaked dialogue in your head as you stalk through each corridor. For fans of the strip, these narrative touches are a welcome bridge between page and screen.

Special encounters—like confronting Steelkreeg or uncovering Barnak Spraks’s murderous ruses—aren’t just gameplay set pieces; they’re narrative milestones lifted from the original saga. These moments reward familiarity with the characters, but newcomers will still find the twists engaging as they learn about each criminal’s unique modus operandi. Overall, the story-driven structure helps the action feel purposeful rather than repetitive.

Overall Experience

Strontium Dog: The Killing offers a tense, challenging experience that balances fast-paced blaster duels with strategic puzzle segments. The sheer scale of the maze and the variety of opponents ensure that no two playthroughs feel identical, and the satisfaction of clearing a particularly tough room is immense. The learning curve can be steep—especially for players unaccustomed to retro shooters—but perseverance pays off.

For ZX Spectrum enthusiasts and 2000 AD aficionados alike, this title is a standout adaptation that captures the comic’s grit and humor. Its combination of engaging level design, faithful character portrayals, and tight controls makes it easy to lose hours hunting down every last bounty. While modern gamers may find the lack of tutorials or save points daunting, those willing to embrace its old-school roots will discover a hidden gem in the platform’s library.

Whether you’re a veteran bounty hunter in the making or a newcomer curious about Johnny Alpha’s adventures, The Killing delivers a memorable sci-fi shooter that remains entertaining decades after its release. Its blend of action, strategy, and storytelling makes for a complete package that stands the test of time—an essential journey for anyone exploring the darker corners of the galaxy.

Retro Replay Score

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