Classic beat ’em ups are a genre that paved the way for modern action games. However, the genre has since fallen into obscurity. With the release and success of TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge last year, it seems faith has been restored in the genre once again.

This week, publisher Modus Games and developer Secret Base announced the return of the legendary beat ’em up game franchise Double Dragon. Titled Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of Dragons, this game sees a return to the classic formula featuring two player cooperative arcade action. According to the developer,  This new entry in the series will also contain rougelite elements.  The game will be launching on PC, Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S this summer.

Double Dragon takes place within a chaotic alternate future of New York City that is ravaged by crime and ruled by gang leaders. Martial artists Billy and Jimmy Lee take it upon themselves to take back the city with their fists. It’s a simple premise that while not particularly creative is nonetheless a little charming when accompanied by the retro graphical style and slick animations shown off in the gameplay trailer.

In addition to the two main heroes, players have the option to fight as Marian, a fully ranged firearm character, and Uncle Matin, who utilizes a riot shield and grapples to bring the pain. The final game will feature 13 playable heroes that can be swapped between fluidly in single-player mode or controlled directly by a friend in classic local co-op mode. Online co-op will also be added as a free update following the launch.

Another noteworthy feature will be the game’s dynamic mission system, which will adjust the difficulty, enemy types, and numbers based on the order in which you select them. This allows for more freedom and ensures subsequent playthroughs have more variety. It’s always exciting to me when old game franchises make a return. I hope this new title can please long-time fans and new players alike. I’ll certainly be willing to give it a go on release as I’ve always enjoyed simple arcade games such as Metal Slug or Final Fight.  

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