Double Dragon Revive is Giving Me XBLA Vibes and That’s a Compliment

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At present, we’re witnessing a resurgence of side-scrolling fighting games, and Double Dragon Revive serves as evidence of that trend. Instead of adopting the crisp 2D pixel art style seen in titles like Marvel Cosmic Invasion, this game opts for 3D graphics, which is a refreshing choice. It gives the game a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of Xbox Live Arcade games, which is a testament to its quality.

7th-generation console downloadable games were intriguing because they aimed to fusion old-school and contemporary gaming experiences. This fusion frequently manifested as 3D graphics being applied to 2D games, resulting in numerous 2.5D games. Titles like Bionic Commando ReArmed, Shadow Complex, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 and 2 are some examples that effectively employed this visual style.

There’s a certain charm in the gameplay of Double Dragon Revive that evokes memories of 2.5D downloadable games from the past. It might be due to the fact that Double Dragon Neon was quite popular during that era, but it definitely takes us back to that timeframe. However, we’re not expecting Revive to be priced like those games from the past, but we’ll have to wait and see how its final release unfolds.

Revive isn’t the only game to resurrect this art style; Sonic Superstars and Mega Man 11 have used it too in recent times. However, in an era where most modern beat-em-ups opt for a pixel look, a 2.5D game stands out distinctly. Moreover, given that a well-known franchise employs this style, it adds to its appeal. The XBLA days were marked by numerous retro comeback games, so its return is fitting.

Just so you know, we’re not criticizing pixel-based brawler games at all; they are visually stunning! There’s no amount of compliments enough to describe the Marvel Cosmic Invasion’s impressive graphics. Similarly, our admiration is comparable for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.

Viewing Double Dragon Revive demonstrates that the series is currently thriving more than ever. In recent times, we’ve witnessed numerous new games and remakes being developed. The spin-off, Double Dragon Gaiden, offered a unique twist on the roguelike beat-em-up genre, while the re-releases of Super Double Dragon and Double Dragon Advance were warmly welcomed by fans.

Without a doubt, the thrilling escapades of Billy and Jimmy are far from over. Given their past experiences in challenging situations, this new phase is undoubtedly an upgrade for them.

The revival of Double Dragon might not make the series widely popular again, but it certainly appears to be an enjoyable beat-em-up game that anyone can play. Whether it will challenge Shredder’s Revenge or Streets of Rage 4 for supremacy remains to be seen, but we won’t complain. More beat-em-ups in the market is always a good thing.

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2025-04-25 12:42