The Double Dragon franchise has certainly been trying to get back into the mainstream mindset of gamers during the last few years. We’ve had the awesome Double Dragon Neon and more traditional Double Dragon 4 as well as several Technos carts on the Evercade and a collection on the Switch. Double Dragon Gaiden is the first of these games to try and mix the up the formula though.
As a result, Gaiden has a more cartoon look to it, closer to
the recent Teenage Ninja Turtles game or Scott Pilgrim than what you might
normally associate with the franchise. Initially, it’s a bit off putting but soon
settles into the madness of the game and fits the overall chaotic style well.
Along with the change in how the game looks extra elements
have been added into the core gameplay. The first thing you’ll notice is that a
tag team system is in play. You pick two from an initial four characters (more
can be unlocked with collectable tokens), with each having their own styles and
moves. During play your partner can be tagged in to extend combos or simply
give your other character a rest from being pummelled. As well as this, each
character also has three special moves which can be used when a meter is
filled. Hitting enough enemies with these creates health drops and they prove
key to getting through the game.
The next big change is the addition of a few rogue-like elements.
You initially have four stages to pick from. Each area has a different theme
and boss and can be tackled in any order. However, each level you complete adds
another section to the next. So, the first area you take on will lead you
straight to the boss, but the next will add another stage and mini boss in
between, and then the next area will have two stages and two mini bosses etc. It’s
an interesting approach and one that adds some variety to multiple play
throughs as it’ll take a good few runs to see everything the game has to offer.
At the end of each area you can buy upgrades with the money
collected from bashing the various goons along the way. These range from power
ups to specific moves, new skills, tokens or simply taking the money. It’s
important to consider what best fits your characters needs as the game gets
rough late in the day. Any tokens you collect along the way can be sused to
unlock extra features and the boss characters as playable as well, each of
which dramatically alters your way of playing.
Overall, Double Dragon Gaiden is a departure from the normal
format we have come to expect from the franchise but it’s one that works. If
there are any small complaints, it’s that the game can become repetitive at
times as it takes a while to get through each run. Over use of the special
moves is also an issue as really the best way to get through each level is just
to spam and recharge them via enemy take downs. That said this is a vibrant and
fun take on Double Dragon and it’s certainly worth checking out for scrolling
fighter fans or fans of the franchise in general.
Overall 8/10