Double dragon neon characters series#

The core moves incorporate devastating grapples that come in a variety of styles that can be cheekily used against bystanding threats. The range of attack options is deep for a very retro-inspired brawler. Proficient fighters will have the boys perform evasive rolls, mix the standard combo into flying knee-kicks or even leg-sweeps. The dodge move also can be chained into other attacks to allow it further utility instead of simply having the Lee brothers ducking all the time. Billy and Jimmy's moveset is expanded from prior entries, allowing them to time dodges to gain energy to execute powerful super moves. The speed of the action is dialled back a bit compared to other examples in the genre, but it serves a purpose to allow some reaction time to the player. The satisfying feel of combat is the cornerstone of a quality beat 'em up, and Double Dragon Neon delivers. Fighting a stage-sized plant monster is also effective at mixing up the combat from the standard grunts like the Williams or the Lindas. Moments where the vacuum of space can suck everyone out of an air-lock are amusing and tense. The developers managed to create a lot of unusual stage gimmicks and situations to keep things fresh and interesting. Wayforward put a lot of care into adding much more depth and variety into a formula that can become admittedly stale or tedious.

Double dragon neon characters series#

The end credits song is especially impressive and also serves as a hilarious epilogue to the story's events.Дouble Dragon Neon looks and sounds great, but how does it play? There have been a few stinkers for the series over the years, and thankfully, this is the best entry yet. From the very upbeat pop song style of Mango Tango, to the hair band power ballad remix of the Double Dragon theme, Kaufman utterly nails the music so perfectly that it elevates the entire experience. He shows a profound understanding of the various styles from the '80s. Jake Kaufman's music style is put to the test in Double Dragon Neon. Even the collectible ability mix-tapes all have about a ten second loop of what sounds like Weird Al-style parodies of existing 80s hits, like Rick Astley's, Never Gona Give You Up. Most of the background music sounds like authentic songs from the '80s, with lyrics and era accurate synthesizer sounds. Music was at its creative peak, and that is especially present in Jake Kaufman's finest compositions he has ever produced. The gaudiness of the colours and excess in style makes the ambiance stand out from other eras. The aesthetics associated with the decade are both cool and uncool at the same time. Whether he is using schoolyard style mockery or he commands a helicopter to fly upside down to decapitate the heroes, he never becomes obnoxious. Skullmageddon's antics throughout the journey never stop being hilarious. He rises from his seat, brandishing a tremendous and intricate sword, and then he speaks - his voice is a nasally parody of Skeletor, and he constantly spouts off puns. He sits upon a throne, has scary looking armour, and has two desirable women by his side. His introduction suggests that Billy and Jimmy are about to have a show down with a cruel and skilful warrior with ages of knowledge. Everything about this character is enjoyable.

Who is Skullmageddon? He happens to be one of the greatest video game bad guys of all time. However, the focus on humour and '80s nostalgia does enhance the atmosphere of this entry.

The plot of beat 'em ups is hardly the reason to play them and Double Dragon Neon is no exception. The story is a reimagining of the original plot of the first few Double Dragon games, and it remixes some elements to make one epic journey. Billy Lee's girlfriend, Marian, gets a swift punch in the gut and gets kidnapped by Skullmageddon's goons. The story of Double Dragon Neon is as classic of a tale as it gets for an '80s homage to big dudes doing big attacks in action-sploitation scenarios.