The freshness wears off once you realize you're ultimately beating up the same gangs, using the same fighting methods, for hours on end. It was a joy seeing every gang and playable character have a diverse move set for a varied fighting experience, but the widened combat system can only do so much in a game that doesn't have a lot of anything else. Underground's greatest failing is that it doesn't have enough substance to sustain its lengthy trip around River City. Even with minor flaws littered about, the game's opening moments demonstrate that it's properly equipped for the long journey that's been stretched out for eager gamers, even tossing in a four player co-op component.īut add more play time, make a bit more progress, and you start noticing the tight, coordinated design seems only applicable to the beginning. Within just the first hour, the devs have showcased how well they've handled the RCR formula in a respectable manner, refining and improving on aspects that very much needed it. Surprisingly, the game also has a "wanted level" system, where police in riot gear show up if you commit a crime, such as destroying property or beating up civilians for coins. Thankfully, each gang has more than one unique attack, so learning each opponent's approach goes a long way in winning the overall battle, especially when there's up to four or more people on screen. However, the biggest improvement, something that was a huge flaw in the original RCR and even Tokyo Rumble, is the inclusion of each gang having varying, creative attacks! Jocks "bench press" your character if they get too close, Nerds projectile-toss test tubes of differing elements, hair-slicked jerks occasionally throw dirt in your face, and rich punks do charged punches that result in paper money flying out their sleeves. Not to mention, characters' idle animations have more enthusiasm, as clothes sway, and mouths and eyes bounce around with personality. Also, as enemies make goofy facial expressions when hit, there's a very subtle, extra bit of emotion injected into their pain. And the artists really went to work on a mini-golf course, with a huge, mouth-chomping skull and a lake octopus as scenery. ![]() Brick walls are decorated with elaborate graffiti art, there's a dinosaur water fountain, and you can clearly see drivers having vivid conversations during an intersection beat down. Familiar locations make appearances, but between them are an excess of new backdrops, all sporting detailed sprite work while maintaining the original's 2D, super deformed style. Present day River City of "19XX" is a much bigger area to navigate this time around, as you'll see more than brief displays of alleyways and construction sites. Along the way, older renditions of Alex and Ryan eventually lend a helping hand, as well as other new characters that can be switched whenever a save hideout is reached. ![]() And staying true to its roots, Underground requires your brawlers to become stronger and agile with a combination of beating people for experience, taking their coins to buy stat-boosting items, or purchasing special attacks for quicker, harsher take downs. Years and years after the events of the NES game's school hostage situation, you now take command of four new students as they have to pummel their way through waves of gangs due to a misunderstanding. Why such an interest in a fan project? Well, at a glance, it doesn't seem like a typical Kunio-kun brawler the series is known for, and the more details you hear about the game, the more it comes off like a legitimate, labored product.Ĭanonically, Underground takes place after the English version of River City Ransom, where players controlled Alex and Ryan, the Western interpretations of Kunio and Riki. To everyone's surprise, the game then became an official, licensed product during the course of its development, with said creator even becoming a creative consultant. Starting life as a fan made tribute to River City Ransom, the humorous NES beat 'em up with free roam and RPG elements, Underground caught the eye of series creator, Yoshihisa Kishimoto. River City Ransom: Underground (PC) review
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