There are no stealthy approaches, side missions, and no need to find and talk to interactive NPCs.

You just run, shoot, kill, pickup stuff and kill some more.

The controls are equally retro.

Your character is locked in run for your life speed, and can jump infeasibly large heights and distances.

More powerful weapons have limited clips which, once spent, are discarded until you find another weapon.

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The core mechanic here is dont stop moving and dont stop shooting.

Oh, and youd better remember that circle-strafing ability you mastered long ago, as youll need it here.

Theres no barrier realism casts here, and anything goes.

Ohhh, nasty!

What you shouldnt have to accept, however, are some of the games flaws.

Others, via a horrendously animated dive, lurch towards you in a flash, stealing your current weapon.

Enemies often pay you no attention, and easily get stuck on scenery, shooting solid walls.

Its clumsy, and detracts from the enjoyment.

They can even dive off platforms, and into traps, such is their stupidity.

Just as it emulates 90s gameplay and aesthetics, it also revives old school difficulty.

Theres no hand holding here, and no training mission or pop-up tips to show you the ropes.

The first boss, for example, is at first glace a horrible experience.

Yes, its a cheap tactic, but youll be thankful its a possibility.

Well, it must be the Triads control glitch attack, deal with it!)

Its hardcore blasting all the way, and this continues from the single player campaign into multiplayer.

This revival certainly stays true to its roots, and online play is every bit as important.

And, its even more chaotic than the single player.

The action online is simply eye-melting, and matches play out at a fast pace.

Its perhaps one of the purest forms of online deathmatch youll find outside ofQuake.

Old, but still gold?

PlayingRise of the Triadis a strange experience really.

Then a game calledDeus Excame along and shattered my perceptions.

Rise of the Triadcan be purchased for PC via Steam, or by visiting Good Old Games.

Rating:

3 out of 5