Released in 1996, Crusader: No Regret picks up immediately where No Remorse left off, transporting the silent, red-armored hero from the polluted cities of Earth to the frigid, corporate-owned mining colonies on the moon (Luna). For fans of the original, No Regret delivers exactly what they wanted: more spectacular destruction, more challenging enemies, and the same trademark isometric action.
The sequel’s greatest strength is its embrace of the original’s core mechanics. The environments are still fully destructible—walls crumble, equipment explodes, and the action remains swift and brutal. However, the lunar setting allows for an introduction of new hazards and enemies, including cryogenic chambers, magnetic weapons, and zero-G environments that add a slight twist to the established run-and-gun formula.
While the Full-Motion Video (FMV) cutscenes return with their gloriously over-the-top acting, the overall atmosphere is somewhat diluted. The original’s claustrophobic, urban decay is replaced by sterile, industrial lunar bases, making the setting feel less distinct. Despite this, No Regret polishes the gameplay, streamlines the inventory, and offers a tougher, more concentrated campaign of resistance against the WEC.
Ultimately, Crusader: No Regret is a textbook example of a great sequel: it doesn’t revolutionize the genre, but it perfects the tools and expands the scope of the original. If you enjoyed the first game’s brand of violent, isometric action, the sequel is a must play.
- Origins Systems (1996)
- MS-DOS
- Get It On: GOG
