Double Dragon Revive marks the franchise's bold leap into a fully 3D environment while attempting to retain the classic, side-scrolling beat 'em up formula that made the Lee brothers legends. The result is an experience that is deeply respectful of its lineage and often thrilling in its combat design, though held back by a few fundamental missteps that prevent it from achieving true greatness.
Visually, Revive is a treat for long-time fans. The game leans into a slightly grittier, post-apocalyptic aesthetic, telling a new story set 15 years after a nuclear war. The character models for Billy, Jimmy, and Marian are stylishly updated, blending modern flair with their iconic silhouettes. More importantly, the action design, supervised by Arc System Works staff, is excellent. This isn't just a mindless button-mashing brawler; it’s a strategic fighter. The introduction of the Dragon Orb Gauge, combined with environmental takedowns and weapon use, encourages players to string together creative combos. Breaking enemy armor at the right moment is deeply satisfying, turning routine encounters into rewarding displays of martial arts mastery. When the combat clicks, especially in local co-op, Double Dragon Revive delivers that perfect arcade rush of clearing out a screen of thugs with synchronized strikes.
The game also deserves credit for its structure. Beyond the main story, the Extra Mode is packed with challenges and character-specific missions, providing significant replay value for those who want to master the deeper mechanics. This gives the game more longevity than many other titles in the genre. The soundtrack, which features a solid mix of riffy original tracks and modernized remixes of classic themes, does a great job of keeping the energy high during the long street fights.
However, the major drawback—and the reason the review remains mixed—lies squarely in the movement. While the developers aimed for refined controls, the transition to eight-directional 3D movement in a belt-scrolling context often feels disappointingly floaty. Characters lack the immediate, grounded responsiveness necessary for precision brawling. Punches and kicks can feel slightly delayed or imprecise, leading to frustrating moments where attacks seemingly "miss" due to an enemy shifting slightly on the plane. Furthermore, the platforming sections, which are thankfully rare, are clunky and painful because of this lack of satisfying weight and precision. This floatiness creates a constant tension between the game's excellent strategic combat design and its slightly clumsy execution.
Ultimately, Double Dragon Revive is a solid, enjoyable beat 'em up that offers a compelling story and genuinely deep combat options. While its floaty movement and occasional lack of polish mean it doesn't quite live up to the standard set by recent genre titans, the heart, challenge, and co-op thrills of the Dragon brothers’ return are certainly enough to make it worth a punch or two.
Publisher provided review code.
