Prepare for excitement on the rugged streets of River City once again! Two fierce female protagonists, Misako and Kyoko, are tearing through the city to save their boyfriends, Kunio and Riki. Nothing will stop them as they punch and kick their way through the city, gaining new abilities, collecting power-ups, and wielding powerful weapons. With a variety of combos, throws, and special attacks, their enemies won’t stand a chance - all in an eye-catching pixel-art style! The action is accompanied by motion-comic story panels, anime cutscenes, multiple endings, and an epic synth-pop soundtrack. This version of the game offers support for solo play with touchscreen or Bluetooth controllers (required for 2-player co-op), as well as a new shopkeeper: Crunchyroll-Hime!

STUNNING PIXEL-ART GRAPHICS

The pixel-art graphics in River City Girls pay tribute to classic beat ’em up games. The sprites are bursting with personality and intricate details, showcasing the developers’ mastery of pixel art. The characters have smooth animations that add impact to the action, while the backgrounds feature destructible objects and humorous signs that encourage exploration. Overall, the retro pixel-art aesthetic perfectly captures the nostalgic feeling of playing an arcade beat ’em up. It’s a visual delight for fans of the genre.

SATISFYING COMBAT SYSTEM

The key to a successful beat ’em up is a combat system that is both responsive and rewarding. River City Girls delivers just that with an accessible control scheme that allows for light and heavy attacks to be chained into combos. It feels incredibly satisfying to land a long string of hits and throws on enemies. The heroines also learn new moves, such as air dashes and grapples, adding depth to the combat. And with weapons like baseball bats and katanas, things get even more exciting. Plus, players can recruit defeated enemies for special assisted attacks. The combat mechanics are easy to pick up, but also have enough depth for experienced players.

MEMORABLE SOUNDTRACK

No retro beat ’em up would be complete without an upbeat chiptune soundtrack. River City Girls delivers an exceptional soundtrack with catchy melodies and energetic beats. The music was composed by renowned chiptune artists like Megan McDuffee and Chipzel, and even features vocal theme songs performed by Cristina Vee and NateWantsToBattle. The level of musical talent involved in the game results in a consistently jamming soundtrack that rivals the classics of the genre. You’ll find yourself humming these tunes long after the game is turned off.

FUN CO-OP GAMEPLAY

While beat ’em ups are known for their multiplayer experience, many modern attempts fail to capture the fun cooperative play of classics like Double Dragon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, River City Girls brings back the magic of beating up bad guys with a friend. The simple addition of allowing both players to move freely on the screen eliminates many of the frustrations found in older games. Players can also lift and throw their partners, leading to unique and comical combos. It’s a blast to explore the world and unlock new moves with a partner. River City Girls is a must-play co-op beat ’em up experience.

PACKED WITH CONTENT

River City Girls offers players a substantial amount of content, ensuring hours of gameplay. With five large districts to explore, branching paths, secrets to uncover, and side quests to complete, the game offers a lot to keep players entertained. Shopkeepers offer gear and items for character progression, and multiple endings and New Game+ provide replay value after completing the main story. Players can even unlock new playable characters, such as Kunio and Riki, adding even more variety. This game could easily have been divided into multiple entries decades ago, making it a great value for its price.

NOSTALGIC PRESENTATION

Finally, River City Girls perfectly captures the nostalgic feeling of playing a retro beat ’em up, while also incorporating modern quality-of-life features. The anime cutscenes and motion comic story panels harken back to a time when games were packed with that kind of flair. It also takes inspiration from genre classics like Double Dragon and Final Fight, while leaving behind outdated mechanics. And with cameos from iconic characters, fans of classic Technos games will feel a wave of nostalgia. The game’s intuitive controls, fluid gameplay, and co-op feature make it feel like a modern game. River City Girls is a prime example of how to revitalize a classic genre, appealing to both retro fans and newcomers alike.