By KEVIN HOOVER
It feels odd calling RETROREALMS an experiment in horror gaming, but with the ongoing typecasting of every licensed IP as an online asymm, then experiment is exactly what Boss Team Games and WayForward’s latest release is. And while it justifies its place in the library of gamers who have been itching for something other than another Dead by Daylight clone, a steep difficulty curve may stand in the way of those who want to take in all the sights of their favorite franchises.
RETROREALMS is the umbrella title for what currently encompasses two individual platformers: Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead. During a recent press event, the devs shared that plans are to eventually bring more franchises into the fold, and the ‘80s/’90s stylized arcade hub that starts every play session feels ready to welcome in new licensed cabinets over time. The environment itself is first person POV museum of sorts for players to enjoy the spoils of their gameplay sessions, populated with unlocked dioramas and props from the respective franchises. If you’ve ever been through Friday the 13th: The Game’s virtual cabin, then this will feel instantly familiar and is part of the larger commitment to cram as much fan service as possible into the package.
Mixing-and-matching thematic universes and their iconic casts is the most interesting element of RETROREALMS. After selecting which game to play, players will then have to choose who to play as. Ash and Michael Myers are available to all; Laurie Strode and Kelly Maxwell were available as pre-order bonuses or can be purchased as separate DLC. While each play similar to one another, Myers does feel weightier and less agile than the others, and Laurie has a double-jump that allows for easier traversal of the stages. Expect all the usual suspects in terms of side-scroller gameplay mechanics: sliding under ledges, wall kicks to gain height, ducking and dodging, etc. Each hero has a melee attack, charged range attack and the ability to pick up a currency-dependent third ability that will tug at the sensibilities of any NES-era kid who ever tossed flaming vials of holy water at Dracula’s creatures of the night in Castlevania.
RETROREALMS’ pixel art aesthetic is a fun twist on familiar places and faces. A 16-bit Donald Pleasence/Dr. Loomis boss battle feels right in a place like this, and the environments are a blast to explore. They’re a blast, that is, until you’ve played the same stage multiple times, due to the game being in a damn fast hurry to ramp up its difficulty. The first area of each title plays as a tutorial, but in no time expect to be slip-sliding across oil-slicked platforms, while hovering over pits of fire, while enemies are rushing you from either end and still others are beneath tossing explosives into the air. This is a side-scroller for the modern gamer, no doubt, but for those who came to see all that they can from two of the genre’s most beloved properties, the challenge spike can be off-putting. Of note is that Laurie’s double-jump does take some of the edge off, essentially making her the choice for those who prefer an “easy” difficulty setting.
Frustratingly, melee attacks have a backswing animation that must be accounted for, as characters are left vulnerable when attempting to dispatch of enemies. Simple enough to sort out during a singular encounter; not so much when a trio of Deadites is rushing you on an oil-slicked stage … above a pit of fire … while enemies are tossing explosives … you get the idea. Health pickups are plentiful, but there’s no in-stage checkpoint system, meaning once you flatline, you get to do the whole thing again. There is a shop available at the end of every level that offers buffs and new attacks, but scoring enough cash to purchase those upgrades is going to require frequent jaunts into the game’s even-harder Nightmare Realm, an alternate universe that unveils unlockables and foes hidden out of sight during regular playthroughs. It’s a creative way to infuse more content into a relatively short gameplay experience, but it’s also something that can be completely avoided if you choose to do so.
For years, gamers have been asking for more single-player titles, especially those based on franchises with deep narratives. And the RETROREALMS package delivers just that. While either Halloween or Ash vs. Evil Dead can be bought separately for $24.99, it’s worth the $49.99 sticker to see all the interactions when crossing over into different worlds. There’s plenty of replay value for those who want it, from finishing each game with each of the available characters to scouring every nook and cranny to unlock the different items within the arcade. Yet for all the fun that RETROREALMS has to offer, it’s also an irritating experience at times, and one that may have you longing for the sunny beaches of Jacksonville in-between umpteen playthroughs of the same stage.
