In Praise Of Beat 'Em Ups

[nakamura]

I agree. They should all have had a punch and kick button at the very least also.

[kallbrand]

I always wanted Sengoku 3

Get the sengoku collection for the ps2 if you want to own it, that's what I did. Anyway, great thread, love these games. Both Batman returns and Robo Army are great IMO.

And Tenchi wo Kurau 2 is apparently quite deep if that's what you are looking for ( there's a thread about it at the gamengai.com forum ). Double dragon advance comes to mind as well, that one has alot of moves.

As for more recent stuff I enjoy Wayforwards Thor on the DS a lot, lovely pixels and satisfying gameplay in that one IMO

[Super Monkey Balls]

Got Data East's Night Slashers in one of my cabs. It's reet good.

[Skull Commander]

Get the sengoku collection for the ps2 if you want to own it, that's what I did.

I didn't know such thing existed. Was it a Jap only release? I can't seem to find anything on google.

[Skull Commander]

Onwards now to Streets of Rage 3, or rather Bare Knuckle 3, as that is the version I have been concentrating on. For those unaware there are several differences between the Western and Japanese versions. They have been talked about a lot in the past here, but this link explains things: http://rq87.flyingomelette.com/RQ/region/SoR3/sor3.html.

When I first encountered this game it was well after it's release, and in the Westernised form.. I expected something better than SOR2, but for the longest time this game left me cold. The graphics looked worse, the sound wasn't as memorable, and it just didn't feel as solid.

I kept going back to it, and no matter how much I wanted to like it I just couldn't get on with it. I then played the Japanese version, and while it seemed a bit better I still wasn't as fully into it as I wanted. Now fast forward to this latest Xbox Arcade release. I decided to give the game yet another chance and amazingly it has clicked now. I'm not too sure why it has taken all this time but I now appreciate some of the finer details such as the ability to dash, the weaker special moves (and more energy penalty for using them), the moves which can be powered up by playing well, and the fact that when you pick up a weapon it can add new unique moves to your characters repertoire.

While the music and level design isn't as imaginative as the previous games, there is a few highlights. The video above shows my personal favorite, the rave level. It feels like the 2nd (I think) boss from Revenge of Shinobi, but you walk along with the strobes going crazy with that pounding music, then it culminates in a fight in front of a sharktank against two feisty women. It's a shame that the excellence of this level wasn't repeated more through the game.

I think I realised that I have grown to like this game when I went back to SOR2 and tried to double tap forward to run but couldn't! It still isn't near the majesty of it's older brother, but I have now come to appreciate it in it's own right, and despite a fair amount of recycling from previous games it's focus on combos and technique stand it apart.

If like me you haven't felt much love for this game, lower your expectations and give it another shot. You may be surprised.

[kallbrand]

I didn't know such thing existed. Was it a Jap only release? I can't seem to find anything on google.

sorry, the exact name for it is sengoku anthology and it's actually a Pal french/german (english menus though) exclusive I think, but its not super rare or anything. A french speaking co worker of mine helped order my copy not too long ago from www.priceminister.com but maybe you can find it somewhere else as well

[Atticus]

Just bought the XBLA collection after reading this thread. It's fantastic

[Silvergun X]

Spikeout Final Edition.

Will be doing some youtube videos of this tonight I reckon. Quality 3D beat-em-up that's hard as nails in a few of the missions.

[acidbearboy]

Got Data East's Night Slashers in one of my cabs. It's reet good.

This looks awesome! Look forward to trying it out soon.

Return of Double Dragon (SFC) has a pretty decent moveset, including blocking. Sweet music too.

[Skull Commander]

Spikeout Final Edition.

Will be doing some youtube videos of this tonight I reckon. Quality 3D beat-em-up that's hard as nails in a few of the missions.

Is that arcade only?

[Skull Commander]

sorry, the exact name for it is sengoku anthology and it's actually a Pal french/german (english menus though) exclusive I think, but its not super rare or anything. A french speaking co worker of mine helped order my copy not too long ago from www.priceminister.com but maybe you can find it somewhere else as well

Thanks for the info. One I get some money I think I'm going to have a hunt for this.

[monel]

Hardcoregaming101 had a feature on that Korean beatemup, 'Storm', it has a hard to remember Korean name I think, and the sequel. They look pretty good to me, since it seems they have more moves than any similar game. I just remembered Cyborg Justice or some similarly named title on the Megadrive, it was fun since it was different but it looked like crap. I probably wouldn't play it now. There was some Kabuki warrior type beatemup on the MD that was fun for a short while. I used to love the whole genre (and played every one I could get at the time) but the lack of moves kills the games for me now, especially single player.

[_SD_]

The Knights of Valor games on the PGM/Atomiswave are fantastic.

[acidbearboy]

Played through Night Slashers a couple of times today. It's cool. Nice big chunky sprites with good animation and lovely pixel art detail on the enemies and backgrounds. Music was pretty average but the game plays well. Each character has a few different moves and combos, as well as a super move and 2 specials. You can only block when low on health, which is a shame. Well worth a play-through purely for the visuals though, they really are fantastic. The Japanese version has the best gore.

Gonna see if I can get the fan remix Night Slashers X running next.

[parkinho]

The original Streets of Rage is still my favourite - despite its simplicity I love the music and the gritty, dilapidated city it portrays. I still love the view of the city skyline when you reach the top of the elevator on stage 7

Guardian Heroes is always a game I've wanted to invest some time into, especially when the HD update was released on XBLA last year though I was swamped under at work upon release and never got round to it. This Summer I plan to make amends - how does it stack up?