System: 3DO
Release date: 1994

The Horde on the 3DO is a brilliantly bonkers hybrid that mixes tower defence with hack-and-slash mayhem and wraps it all in proper 90s silliness. This The Horde on the 3DO title smashes two genres together into one gloriously daft package. You play as Chauncey, a clumsy ex-cow herder turned accidental knight, armed with the legendary (and comically large) sword Grimthwacker.

In 2025, does this monstrous The Horde 1994 3DO mash-up still deliver the goods, or has the Horde finally gone off the boil?

Gameplay: Build, Bash, and Banish

The Horde on the 3DO cleverly splits its gameplay into two distinct phases that actually complement each other. During the day you’re in top-down planning mode. You spend gold on farms, houses, walls, watchtowers, moats and traps. Every decision counts.

Then night falls and all hell breaks loose. You jump into Chauncey’s boots for frantic hack-and-slash action. You charge around the battlefield swinging Grimthwacker like a man possessed. The 3DO controller handles the combat surprisingly well. You slash, dash, cast spells and lob bombs while hordlings swarm in from every direction.

The swarm? The Horde on the 3DO can be properly punishing. The planning phase often feels too short to properly optimise your village. Later levels throw absolutely relentless waves that can overwhelm you in seconds.

Difficulty spikes like a brick to the face. The occasional cheap death will have you shouting at the screen. It can feel unfair and frantic, especially when your beautiful village gets turned into a buffet in under a minute in this The Horde 1994 3DO release.

Still, when the loop clicks – building something clever then successfully defending it – it’s ridiculously satisfying.

Graphics: Monstrous Pixels with Bite

The Horde on the 3DO looks colourful and lively. Chauncey’s lanky, floppy animations are packed with slapstick charm as he runs, tumbles and swings his massive sword. The hordlings themselves are brilliant. Slimey, giggling little gremlins and big lumbering brutes all ooze personality as they chew through your hard work.

Environments are varied and detailed for the time. The over-the-top FMV cutscenes are pure 90s cheese. It’s bright, cartoony and full of life in this The Horde on the 3DO title. The visuals do a great job of selling the comedic monster-mashing vibe.

Sound: Grunts and Groans That Gobble

The audio is spot-on for the game’s silly tone. Peaceful village music quickly gives way to pounding rock riffs when the hordlings arrive. Sound effects are brilliant. Wet slobbering noises, villagers screaming in comedic panic, sword swings, explosions and monster death squeals all add to the carnage.

The hammy voice acting in the FMV sequences is comedy gold and perfectly suits the game’s daft sense of humour in this The Horde 1994 3DO release.

Replayability: Waves of Replayable Mayhem

There’s proper legs here in this The Horde on the 3DO title. Twenty stages, multiple difficulty levels, and tons of different ways to build and defend your villages mean you can experiment for hours. Trying new trap layouts, perfecting your night-time tactics, or simply going back to smash through earlier levels with better gear keeps it fresh.

It’s great for short bursts or proper long sessions when you’re in the mood for some nostalgic monster-bashing in this The Horde Sega 3DO classic.

The Retro Looney Verdict

The Horde on the 3DO is a brilliantly bonkers hybrid that mixes tower defence with hack-and-slash mayhem and wraps it all in proper 90s silliness. Its addictive build-and-bash loop, colourful visuals and comedy-packed presentation still hold up brilliantly today. Yeah, it can be brutally difficult and a bit rough around the edges, but that’s all part of the chaotic charm.

A genuine 3DO cult classic that’s still an absolute hoot to play in 2025. Grab Grimthwacker and get stuck in – you won’t regret it. This The Horde on the 3DO title delivers a unique blend of strategy and action that feels fresh even decades later. From the satisfying village building to the frantic night-time defence and hilarious FMV cutscenes, it’s a game that rewards both brains and brawn.

A proper hidden gem on the 3DO that deserves way more love. Definitely one for the collection if you fancy some monstrous retro fun.

Don’t forget to check out my other 3do Reviews!