Welcome to a world where mischief, mayhem, and an abundance of punches and kicks reign supreme! River City Girls is a delightful twist on the classic beat 'em up genre, and guess what? Instead of muscle-bound brutes battling it out, we've got the dynamic duo Misako and Kyoko taking center stage. Released for the Nintendo Switch in September 2019 by the fantastically creative folks at WayForward, this game is not just about smash, crash, and zany escapades-it's also a well-polished gem that brings a modern vibe to the retro brawler scene.
When it comes to gameplay, River City Girls does not hold back! Players have the option to control either Misako or Kyoko, who each come with unique moves. If you're thinking of playing solo, fear not! You can swap between the two at will, allowing for some truly strategic moments (or confusion, depending on how well you manage your thumbs!). The game offers six areas, and you know the drill-defeat waves of enemies and face off against bosses to progress. Not interested in moving forward? Take a trip down memory lane and revisit previous areas to collect cash from defeated foes and tackle side quests, which if you complete will get you a face full of reward-and possibly some new moves to pummel foes with. Environments are interactive; players can pick up numerous objects and wield them as improvised weapons to cause some real havoc (which, let's face it, is a primary reason people play these games). You'll also find shops around the world where you can spend your ill-gotten gains on food and gear that increases your stats! Who knew the secret to busting heads involved a diet of sushi and burgers? Perhaps some side quests might seem tedious, but the rewards are tantalizing! And don't fret about losing a battle! If you get knocked out, you simply restart at the last room-but do keep an eye on your cash flow. It's all about keeping those balance sheets tidy in the world of street brawling. But here's a twist: in multiplayer, if one player gets taken down, the other can revive them-talk about a frenemies moment! Perhaps best of all, there's an experience-based system, so even if you choose to focus on one character, the other will keep up, which puts the kitchen sink of RPG elements right at your fingertips. All of this combines to create an engaging experience that balances fun chaos with clever gameplay mechanics. Just be sure not to let the vibrant art style trick you into thinking you're not deep in the brawler's trenches! Who needs a quiet coffee shop when you've got your best friend, a controller, and an army of henchmen to punch through?
Visually, River City Girls bursts with color and character. Developed using Unity, the aesthetics charm retro fans while catering to contemporary tastes. The animation is delightfully fluid, and the characters possess enough flair to make even the most mundane punch feel epic. Each area is designed with meticulous detail, drawing you into vibrant, animated locations filled with quirky NPCs waiting for you to ignite a quarrel. The background details are also rich, filling the screen with nostalgia-so much so you'll want to just stand there, drink in the colorful scenery until someone yells at you to continue the fight. It can feel like a meticulously crafted 90s cartoon that has come to life, reminiscent of street art and vibrant college town murals. In short, the graphics are an absolute delight, a feast for the eyes that keeps up with the fast-paced brawling action.
River City Girls is like a refreshing slap to the face with a stylish glove-as if it exclaims, "Let's bust some chops while having a good time!" It captures the heart of the classic beat 'em ups while infusing new elements to keep it engaging. Great character designs, fluid animation, and humor combined with a compelling cooperative multiplayer mode ensures that this title deserves a permanent spot in yours and your pals' gaming roster. Whether you're a beat 'em up veteran or a brawler newbie looking to jump-start your fight-fu, River City Girls promises to deliver a punishingly good time all while having more fun than a game of dodgeball on a sugar rush. So grab your controller, your best friend-and don't forget to bring some snacks; it's going to be one wild ride through beautiful chaos!