Game Details
| Size | 93 MB |
| Region | USA |
| Genre | Third Person Shooter |
| Format | 7z / BIN |
| Year | October 31, 1998 |
| Console | PSX |
Assault: Retribution (known simply as Assault in Europe) is a frantic, sci-fi third-person shoot-’em-up released in 1998 for the PlayStation 1. Developed by Candle Light Studios—a team formed by ex-Accolade designers—and published by Midway Games in North America, the game was heavily marketed before release as a potential “Contra killer” for the 32-bit era.
It blends the fast-paced, non-stop arcade energy of classic run-and-gun titles with a cinematic, late-90s 3D perspective heavily inspired by sci-fi movies like Starship Troopers and RoboCop.
Story & Premise: The Defense of Arcadia
The game is set in the far-future year of 2198. The peaceful, high-tech utopian metropolis of Arcadia is instantly shattered when a colossal alien vessel plummets from the morning sky and crashes directly into the city center.
The Swarm Unleashed: From the smoking wreckage of the craft, an unending, aggressive swarm of hideous insectoid mutant creatures begins pouring into the streets, liquidating everything in sight. To stop the infestation from spreading to neighboring cities, the military deploys an elite, heavy-weapons rapid deployment marine squad with orders to terminate the threat with extreme prejudice.
Players choose between two playable space marines sent straight into the hot zone:
- Sgt. Reno J. Washington: A 36-year-old, battle-hardened veteran who stands 6’5″ and specializes in heavy, raw-damage energy weapons.
- Major Kelly Doyle: A highly agile, 28-year-old sniper and urban warfare specialist who excels in precision firearms and high-end explosives.
Key Gameplay Features
- Dynamic 3D Shoot-‘Em-Up Action: The game plays from an elevated third-person perspective. Players sprint, dive, and jump across 3D platforms while manual-aiming a crosshair to shoot incoming hordes of multi-limbed aliens attacking from all directions.
- Two Unique Character Paths: Beyond cosmetic differences, Reno and Kelly possess different movement speeds and unique weapon loadouts (such as Reno’s P-420 Multi-Phase Pulse Rifle). The campaign features branching pathways and alternate routes depending on who you select.
- Intense 2-Player Local Co-Op: The entire campaign can be completed side-by-side with a friend via split-screen local co-op. Playing with two players scales the difficulty up, increasing the alien spawn numbers and unlocking entirely new, co-op-exclusive environmental routes.
- Arcade Pickups & Multi-Stage Bosses: Levels are packed with classic arcade power-ups, including Smart Bombs, temporary invincibility shields, health items, and ammunition recharges. The game features 7 futuristic levels tracking your descent into the alien hive, culminating in massive, screen-filling alien queen boss fights.
Short Review: High-Octane Action Held Back by Technical Flaws
The Good
- Fun Sci-Fi Presentation: The game captures the exact chaotic energy of an early 90s space-marine comic book. Blasting down corridors as a heavy cyborg while fighting off swarms of giant bugs is conceptually thrilling.
- Strong Co-Op Experience: Assault: Retribution shines brightest when played with a friend. Coordinating crossfire to cover each other’s blind spots makes the challenging level layouts significantly more manageable.
The Bad
Awkward Aiming and Tracking: Fighting fast-moving 3D targets using the original digital D-pad controls can feel stiff. The automatic tracking camera can occasionally struggle to keep pace when aliens trap you against map corners.
Punishingly Steep Difficulty: The game is notoriously unforgiving. Enemies spawn aggressively behind you, projectile hitboxes can feel inconsistent, and it is very easy to find your health bar instantly erased during screen-filling skirmishes.
Screenshots
