Release Date: 11/09/2012
Played On: Win
Available On: PS3 / Win / XB360
Time Played: 4h 10m
Progress: Roughly 2/3 Complete
Developer: WayForward Technologies / Abstraction Games
Publisher: Majesco Entertainment / Midnight City / Arc System Works
I'll be honest from the start: I've never been a big fan of brawlers, and I've only played a little bit of the original Double Dragon before. I consider it a big compliment then to say that this remade classic is a damn good time. If you've ever needed an excuse to see what an old school brawler is all about, this might be it.
The most obvious improvement on the original is the presentation, which has been given a fresh lick of pixels and 3D modelling. Instead of the old sprites, characters are now rendered models set against modelled environments. It's like night and day with the original, but in a good way, as it brings everything up to speed with modern capabilities.
Everything is super colourful, which goes a long way to making certain elements pop out of the screen. It's also a nice way to maintain the up-beat nature of its predecessor, as it's hard to take anything too seriously when it's that colourful. In a sense, this is how Double Dragon Neon lives up to its name; by turning everything up to eleven.
Of course, I'm not super familiar with the original, so there's bound to be similarities and differences that I missed. However, I know enough to say that the gameplay itself remains pretty much the same, albeit with a few added systems. You're still trying to save your girlfriend by beating up a range of baddies with your fists, kicks, and any object you can find to whack someone with.
I get the feeling that perhaps some of the fight mechanics have been expanded in Neon, but it's not complex enough to be sure. There are limited combos, throws, and special moves that change up how you approach different enemies. Some of the tougher brutes need a bit more finesse; while lower level drones can be spammed into oblivion.
On top of the basic brawler mechanics, there are some RPG systems that feel new, but again I can't be sure. By collecting cassette tapes and other items in the world, you can unlock new abilities and perks. Despite being presented in an interesting way, these upgrades really don't amount to much though, and typically just give you a minor stat boost.
Although some of the special moves are a lot of fun, like summoning a burning dragon that fills the screen and does a whole lot of damage. These specials are tied to a meter that builds as you defeat enemies, which creates moments where you're overwhelmed, but seconds away from unleashing fury. There's a nice balance going on and it always feels like you have another card to play.
Thankfully, this is a game that doesn't take itself seriously at all. The banter is full of 80s and 90s throwbacks and lingo, while the plot is ridiculous and nonsensical at best. I can't help but think that if they chose to go all serious on us, this would be a real chore to get through. Mainly because the gameplay loop gets super repetitive after some time.
In fact, despite how much I like Double Dragon Neon as a remake, it just confirmed for me that I'm not really into brawlers anyway. The time I spent with the game was fun, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the genre or the series, but that's about as far as it goes.
Ultimately though, I think that's the best compliment to give Double Dragon Neon. It really feels like a labour of love by fans of the original game who just wanted a modern version to keep the spirit alive. Sure there are little changes and tweaks here and there, but the core game is still in there somewhere, it's just wearing a new hat.
Hence, I really don't have much else to say about the game. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if it were faster paced, as I find trudging around the streets to be a little slow at times. Then again, I got my butt kicked at certain points and never made it all the way to the end, so that brings me back to it just not being my genre.
Considering that there are only a few developers still making brawlers these days, it's great to be able to bash it out with this one. It's kind of the best of both worlds: something classic, combined with a modern presentation.
Despite my own reluctance to really get into the genre, I have to hand it to Double Dragon Neon for letting me experience the game easily. Having access to older games through quality remakes is just about the main reason I love that remakes get made. I'd much rather fire up something that works, instead of tracking down old systems or emulators.
Double Dragon Neon: it just works.