Fighting Crime in Double Dragon Gaiden
Recently, I've been deeply engrossed in the gang infested streets of Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, and the experience has proven to be an absolute gaming delight.
Beat 'em ups hold a special place among my favorite game genres, and Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons expertly hits the sweet spot, delivering an impressive flurry of combos that truly elevate the gaming experience. Its "pick up and play" simplicity provides a therapeutic outlet for releasing stress, allowing players to unleash their fury on baddies and string together satisfying combos. The game's gorgeous pixel art and animations, and rewarding gameplay shines particularly well on my trusty Nintendo Switch.
Gangs, Choices, and Gaming Ingenuity
The gameplay kicks off with the selection of two tag-team characters to take on the four menacing gangs wreaking havoc on the streets. However, the real innovation lies in the game's approach to stage selection, giving players the power to decide the order of gang encounters. This not only adds replayability but introduces a welcome element of choice in a genre often marked by linear paths.
The combat gameplay delivers a fun and engaging button-mashing experience. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons offers a lineup of 13 characters that boasts distinct movesets and unique skills, nine of which must be unlocked using tokens earned through gameplay.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons also incorporates a roguelite mechanic, allowing players to use the money earned from vanquishing foes to unlock upgrades for their character's skills or stats.
The character's differences extends beyond cosmetic variations, as each fighter offers a genuinely different gameplay style. This innovative approach challenges players to grasp the intricacies of each character's strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Billy Lee exhibits remarkable speed, excelling in close-quarters combat with rapid combos, while Marian, armed with a gun, thrives at a distance but struggles up close. It's a commendable departure from the norm in beat 'em up games, where characters often feel interchangeable with minor adjustments to speed and damage.
More Gameplay Modes Needed
While the game excels in many aspects, I personally feel that there is need for additional content. Advanced difficulty options provide some replay value, but fighting against the 4 gangs over and over again can become boring after awhile. I wish that there was a 'Boss Rush' mode or a 'Royal Rumble' PVP mode to play the game in a different way. With so many well designed characters to choose from, it just feels like such a waste that there is only 1 game mode to experience.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons also only offers co-op for two players, leaving the potential for a stellar party game largely missing. With 13 characters in the lineup, the game begs for modes that embrace its multiplayer potential. A DLC introducing new modes and characters could transform this already impressive beat 'em up into a more complete package, addressing the slight sense of incompleteness that lingers.
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