This is the first and one of the only beat em ups for SNK, this game is also another childhood gem of mine as it's another one of the very first beat em ups in the genre I've played. This game was a shameless knock off of "Double Dragon" as the company was trying to make its own version but I don't mind as long as the game is good fun.
The graphics are solid, I like the character animation where they look the right size about the same size as the characters from "Double Dragon" which is medium high height as I can see them well which means I can see the expressions as I deliver the hits and my opponents receive them. The characters look good from the enemies down to your good guys who are Billy and Jimmy Lee from "Double Dragon" as they have the same colors but are military soldiers.
I really like the background animation which is a gritty war setting and that's to me part of what makes this beat em up standout, is the fact the game takes place in a war setting, in most beat em up usually it's always in urban city settings; I just thought this game was a bit of a breath of fresh air as it's doesn't follow that formulaic setting for once.
The control is solid as you have your basic functions punch, kick, jump kick and decent combo system with your guys where once you wear your opponent down enough you then deliver a power punch and kick making the fly in the air at a great distance much like Kenshiro from "Fist of the North Star" (well almost).
You have a decent variety of weapons like your basic knife but the best weapon of all of course is the machine gun. I always loved using the machine gun as this was the first beat em up where you got to use firearms, but this gun is very helpful as it really helps in welding the odds down.
However, be careful as the gun will run out of bullets when discharged enough, however you can still use your gun as a weapon as you swing it to butt enemies away, which I like showing the gun can still be lethal even empty.
You have some good music really like the first and second level tracks. But I also just like that sound from the punches and kicks you make which really feel like you're making an impact down to the knock outs that really feel your delivering power. Then there is the machine gun which also has a cool crackling machine gun fire sound.
The only misfires of the game are a few levels feel just a bit long, it's not that big of a misfire but the problem with this is it really cuts into the momentum of the game. The difficulty in the game can be a little cheap as the odds at time add up a little too fast, almost filling the screen. But most of all it's really monotonous, there is a lack of variety in enemies let alone bosses which makes the levels in the game just sort of blend together.
Despite the misfires it's still a good beat em up, it's a B lister beat em up so it's nothing too special, but still if you have a craving for vintage beat em up this game is worth a punch.
Rating: 3 stars.
The graphics are solid, I like the character animation where they look the right size about the same size as the characters from "Double Dragon" which is medium high height as I can see them well which means I can see the expressions as I deliver the hits and my opponents receive them. The characters look good from the enemies down to your good guys who are Billy and Jimmy Lee from "Double Dragon" as they have the same colors but are military soldiers.
I really like the background animation which is a gritty war setting and that's to me part of what makes this beat em up standout, is the fact the game takes place in a war setting, in most beat em up usually it's always in urban city settings; I just thought this game was a bit of a breath of fresh air as it's doesn't follow that formulaic setting for once.
The control is solid as you have your basic functions punch, kick, jump kick and decent combo system with your guys where once you wear your opponent down enough you then deliver a power punch and kick making the fly in the air at a great distance much like Kenshiro from "Fist of the North Star" (well almost).
You have a decent variety of weapons like your basic knife but the best weapon of all of course is the machine gun. I always loved using the machine gun as this was the first beat em up where you got to use firearms, but this gun is very helpful as it really helps in welding the odds down.
However, be careful as the gun will run out of bullets when discharged enough, however you can still use your gun as a weapon as you swing it to butt enemies away, which I like showing the gun can still be lethal even empty.
You have some good music really like the first and second level tracks. But I also just like that sound from the punches and kicks you make which really feel like you're making an impact down to the knock outs that really feel your delivering power. Then there is the machine gun which also has a cool crackling machine gun fire sound.
The only misfires of the game are a few levels feel just a bit long, it's not that big of a misfire but the problem with this is it really cuts into the momentum of the game. The difficulty in the game can be a little cheap as the odds at time add up a little too fast, almost filling the screen. But most of all it's really monotonous, there is a lack of variety in enemies let alone bosses which makes the levels in the game just sort of blend together.
Despite the misfires it's still a good beat em up, it's a B lister beat em up so it's nothing too special, but still if you have a craving for vintage beat em up this game is worth a punch.
Rating: 3 stars.
