As a lifetime gamer approaching the dreaded third decade of life, Blockbuster Video is a staple of many of my fondest childhood memories. The video rental giant, which also offered the latest and greatest video games, felt magical as a kid, and it’s made all the more so in retrospect, now that its ilk has been eradicated by streaming platforms. If you, like me, feel nostalgic for this piece of 90s culture, then you might want to check out Retro Rewind, a simulation game making the rounds on Steam.
Like its business management and simulation contemporaries, Retro Rewind provides a fantasy more outlandish than most: building a successful brick-and-mortar enterprise from the ground up. Retro Rewind puts you in the role of a video rental store owner and gives you one task: make the best shop you possibly can. In your quest, you’ll have to engage with a number of different systems and unexpected twists, but the game also offers some more chill, low-stakes gameplay pillars like customization, making it a nice balance of chill and challenging.
Retro Rewind is already out, but it also has a free demo available on Steam.
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Retro Rewind Is a Cozy Homage to Classic Video Rental Shops
From the outset, Retro Rewind provides what you’d expect from the business sim genre space: you hire employees with different traits and attributes, manage your inventory and other resources, and consistently expand and customize your HQ as you see fit. Naturally, a big part of this is ordering and stocking new and in-demand films, but you can also improve your operation through special features like fresh concessions and even an arcade.
Find all 10 pairs
Find all 10 pairs
Charmingly, the films featured in Retro Rewind are based on real blockbuster hits from the 80s and 90s (the decade when the game takes place). For instance, instead of Rambo: First Blood, you can stock Jumbo Manhunt; instead of Ghostbusters, you order and sell Phantom Patrol. Each of these films features hand-drawn cover illustrations based upon the film they are parodying, further selling this alternative rendition of the 90s. The movies can be purchased via the in-game PC, but also from a black market seller called the Tape Dealer, who slings shady flicks.
Aside from the more routine matters of resource management and long-term planning, light social simulation elements arise to shake up the gameplay loop. You might need to recommend the right movie to a customer based on their personality and stated preferences, or you may have to tactfully issue late fees for delinquent rentals. Other unpredictable elements, like seasonal changes and inclement weather, impact customer behavior and volume, which further help Retro Rewind keep players on their toes.
Retro Rewind Is Getting Lots of Love on Steam Already
Retro Rewind launched on March 17, and considering that it’s Blood Pact Studios’ first release, the traction it’s already gotten is definitely impressive. At the time of writing, Retro Rewind sits at a Steam rating of 96% Overwhelmingly Positive, with a little over 700 reviews. Players effusively praised the game’s addictive gameplay loop, calling it a breath of fresh air in the sim genre. For instance, Steam user kozz57 said, “Maybe the bar is in hell, but now after spending over 5 hours playing this, the one thing I really commend this game for is the unique style it has,” while fellow user EvanBear calls it “the most polished, detailed and lovingly created simulator game that I’ve played.”
Unsurprisingly, Retro Rewind has also gotten a lot of love from nostalgic gamers, its Steam reviews filled with fond reminisces about Blockbuster, Family Video, and Hollywood Video. Despite Retro Rewind’s intentionally cartoonish visuals, many reviewers give it kudos for accurately capturing the unique atmosphere and mood of classic rental shops. Given my aforementioned love for these magical and enigmatic stores of my memory, I have to broadly agree with this sentiment.
Although negative reviews for Retro Rewind are scarce, they do exist, and even many of the game’s glowing recommendations contain a modicum of criticism. Some common threads include complaints about in-game consequences not being significant enough, disappointment over limited options, and frustration with repetitive tasks, though that last trait is generally par for the course with these sorts of games.
No game is perfect, but Retro Rewind has certainly landed to raucous applause, at least so far. Despite any shortcomings it may have, it ultimately succeeds where it matters: it’s addictive, charming, and presents you with a world that you won’t want to leave. It’s abundantly clear that this game was a labor of love from everyone involved, so whether you’re nostalgic for the good old days of Blockbuster, are looking for a unique period piece/business sim hybrid, or simply want to support an ambitious team with a lot of great ideas and gumption, Retro Rewind is well worth checking out.
