Unleashing the Ultimate Beat 'Em Up Experience: Double Dragon Gaiden Revolutionizes Modern Combat

Highlights

Introducing an SP meter, players can accumulate funds, execute special moves, or seamlessly switch between characters to enhance their gameplay experience.

Double Dragon Gaiden strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and complexity, bringing strategic elements to the traditional beat 'em up formula.

Anticipation is high for the upcoming release of Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, as it promises to satisfy the cravings of beat 'em up fans who were impressed by last year's hit game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. With new installments in beloved franchises like Streets of Rage and River City, it's clear that enthusiasts of classic arcade games are in for a treat. What sets Double Dragon Gaiden apart is its innovative incorporation of a risk/reward mechanic and subtle roguelike elements, ensuring a fresh take on the beat 'em up genre.

Game Rant recently interviewed Secret Base founder Raymond Teo to discuss the challenges of creating a new installment in a legendary beat 'em up franchise (which is also considered a pioneer in the genre) and what players can anticipate from the latest Double Dragon game. Considering the advancements seen in other contemporary beat 'em up series, such as Streets of Rage 4 and the exceptional indie title Fight N' Rage which focus on technical gameplay and offer high skill ceilings, TMNT: Shredder's Revenge offers a more accessible and easy-to-pick-up experience. On the other hand, Double Dragon Gaiden aims to establish its own mark in the revitalization of beat 'em up games.

Double Dragon Gaiden's Large Roster and Upgrades Make a Compelling Risk/Reward System

In our discussion with Teo regarding Secret Base Games' approach to modernizing Double Dragon Gaiden, the question arose about where fans can anticipate the game to fall on the spectrum of contemporary beat 'em ups. Whether players can anticipate Double Dragon Gaiden to be a fast-paced button-mashing experience akin to TMNT: Shredder's Revenge or a technically intricate beat 'em up like Streets of Rage 4 will likely influence how fans perceive the new Double Dragon. Interestingly, Teo points out that fans should expect something entirely distinct and unlike either game.

The combat in Double Dragon Gaiden is difficult to accurately evaluate in terms of magnitude. To explain it more effectively, one could say that the combat in Double Dragon is easy to execute, but it challenges players' ability to manage resources while remaining situationally aware. For instance, players have an SP meter that enables them to perform special moves and earn currency in the game. However, this same meter is also used to tag and switch characters, which is crucial for self-defense in unfavorable situations.

This "risk/reward" gameplay makes Double Dragon Gaiden stand out, particularly when combined with the ability to purchase upgrades from the in-game cash shop between levels. Secret Base has made it clear that they aim to maintain the weighty feel of the classic Double Dragon while introducing the added complexity of balancing offensive and defensive maneuvers with the use of the special meter. The combat in Double Dragon Gaiden strives to strike a balance between simplicity and complexity, in its own unique manner.

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons releases July 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.