And yeah, if you’re playing solo the speed of the playable characters makes the pace of the game feel just a little slow and gives the AI a sometimes-frustrating advantage in numbers. ![]() Sure, the gameplay mechanics are basically unchanged from the series’ last entry released over a quarter-century ago, and while it would be nice to have some new mechanics, it’s not like the formula doesn’t work just fine as it is. It’s tough to modernize a retro series without losing the core of what made the games great, and Streets of Rage 4 chooses which elements of the series to update wisely. While Streets of Rage 4 could use a couple other new mechanics to feel more modern, the new stuff it does introduce is a definite step in the right direction. Be careful about throwing things, though, as certain enemies can also catch projectiles. Enemies can throw weapons, and you can snatch them out of the air and either throw them back or lay the smackdown on some fool. I also don’t remember being able to catch thrown weapons in the older games, but maybe it’s just been too long since I played them. The attacks are too cool and useful to not use. You do get extra points for unused stars at the end of a level, so you may want to consider holding them as well, but… nah. The game does introduce super attacks that can be activated by using stars that can be collected throughout each level they don’t carry over into subsequent levels, so feel free to hoard them up and then spam them on bosses. It’s like playing Mega Man X and then trying to go back to the base Mega Man series right after I don’t even know what to do anymore if I can’t wall jump. If you’re used to those updates, the game can get a little frustrating. Lots of modern takes on the genre have introduced new strategic elements like more complex combos, or a guard or roll action to expand players’ defensive repertoire. While the formula is tried and true, it’s a little lacking in innovation and at times can feel outdated. Regardless of these few potholes, however, the otherwise smooth gameplay means I’d drive these streets anytime. Most of that can be overcome by learning enemy attack patterns and their tells, but sometimes you just get surrounded and strategy doesn’t mean crap. If you mistime your attack or jump to dodge, you can end up taking a hit that leads into a ridiculous combo, especially in boss fights. Long animations for actions like jumping or long windups for attacks often get interrupted by way faster and more agile enemy units, meaning even if your reaction time is good, your character’s often isn’t. The game plays at the same pace as the original trilogy, which moves a little slow compared to the action games I tend to enjoy the most. Everything works nicely taken altogether, and the game truly captures the feel and mechanics of the original trilogy, which for diehard fans should be welcome news but for me is more of a mixed-blessing. Some enemies and destructible objects drop weapons you can pick up and use as well, like bats, knives, swords, hammers, and lead pipes. You can also do a double-forward charge attack and a jump kick – how can you have a beat-em-up without jump kicks? – but that’s kind of it for combos. You’ve got a basic attack, a special attack that drains your health a little, and some throws to go on the offensive. The good news is, that means you’ve got smooth, straightforward, satisfying beat-em-up action. ![]() ![]() Streets of Rage 4 plays exactly like one of the series’ classic entries – for better or for worse.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |