Bringing the nostalgia of the 1980s cartoons into the modern era, G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra attempts to recapture the magic of classic side-scrolling beat ‘em ups with a healthy dose of fan service. Developed by Maple Powered Games and published by indie.io, the game leans heavily into the early history of the iconic franchise, offering a blend of retro action and modern polish. But while it shines in its reverence for the source material, it struggles a bit to stand out in a genre filled with both retro classics and contemporary hits. It’s now out on consoles, where we reviewed the PS5 version.
The premise of Wrath of Cobra is vintage G.I. Joe: the world is once again under threat from Cobra, and it’s up to Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, and the rest of the team to save the day. Fans will immediately appreciate the faithfulness to the franchise, with playable heroes and villains lifted straight from the cartoon and comics. Each character has a unique moveset and abilities, which encourages experimentation and adds variety to the gameplay. The inclusion of iconic enemies like Serpentor and Cobra Commander ensures that fans will feel right at home, even if the story doesn’t break any new ground.
As a beat ‘em up, the game draws inspiration from arcade classics, emphasizing simple yet satisfying combat. It mixes melee and ranged attacks, with special moves tied to each character’s background and skillset. While fun in short bursts, the combat can feel repetitive during longer play sessions, as enemy waves and environments lack the dynamism seen in some of the excellent modern entries to the genre we’ve seen in recent years. The game excels in local co-op play, though, where teaming up with friends enhances the arcade-like fun. However, the absence of online multiplayer is an omission, even though this is one of those games best played together on a couch.
Visually, Wrath of Cobra employs pixel art to evoke nostalgia, and the results are largely impressive. Characters are lovingly recreated in vivid detail, and their animations convey a sense of authenticity. The environments, while diverse and brimming with callbacks to G.I. Joe lore, sometimes feel less polished than the characters, with occasional lackluster backgrounds and effects. Complementing the visuals is a soundtrack reimagining classic G.I. Joe themes, which captures the heroic energy of the franchise. The audio design bolsters the experience, though more voice lines or narration through more cutscenes could have further enriched the immersion.
The controls are accessible, making the game easy to pick up, but they’re a tad on the simplistic side. While the streamlined input suits its arcade roots, the lack of advanced mechanics or combos may leave those seeking depth wanting more. Occasional responsiveness issues, particularly during intense action sequences, can be mildly frustrating but don’t significantly hinder the overall gameplay experience.
One of the most promising aspects of Wrath of Cobra is its commitment to post-launch content. Maple Powered Games has pledged to add new characters, levels, and modes, which could address some of the game’s current shortcomings. This ongoing support has the potential to elevate the experience, though only time will tell how much of a difference it will make.
In its current form, G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a loving tribute to a beloved franchise, offering fans a nostalgic thrill ride through a familiar world. Its faithful adaptation of G.I. Joe characters and themes makes it a must-play for enthusiasts, even if the gameplay occasionally lacks the polish and depth needed to compete with genre standouts. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of recent retro beat ’em ups, its charm and potential for upgrades make it a commendable addition to the PlayStation 5’s lineup.
Score: 7.0/10
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