Final Fight: Double Impact Review
By - Craig H.
Nostalgia is what many companies are hanging their hats on these days when it comes to remaking arcade classics for release on present consoles. Many do little more than just make the game work on your system and that’s it. Final Fight: Double Impact tries to break that mold and expand on the arcade experience.
Final Fight: Double Impact includes both the full arcade releases of Final Fight and Dragon Sword. Also included is co-op capability for both via Xbox Live or splitscreen. One highlight of this package is the visual presentation. Among the standard zoom and widescreen functions is the inclusion of an arcade cabinet view. The arcade cabinet view turns your screen into an arcade machine and has the left and right borders of your widescreen TV acting as the sides of the cabinet. This definitely will bring back the feeling of popping quarters into the machine and spending hours at the arcade.
Final Fight is a side-scrolling beat’em-up that was clearly made as a coin-operated game. The story is a bit odd but does enough to keep you motivated to push on (though punching people in the face does not really require that much motivation). The game takes place in Metro City where Mike Haggar, an ex-professional wrestler, has been elected as mayor. The Mad Gear gang, the main gang of the city, has hatched a plot to kidnap the mayor’s daughter, Jessica, in order to have leverage against the mayor. Alongside Mike Haggar is Jessica’s boyfriend Cody and his sparring partner, Guy. Players can select to play as one of these characters to take on the entire gang and rescue Jessica. The gameplay is simple with only two buttons to remember. You have an attack button and a jump button, though each character has a special move that you will press both buttons to execute. Along the way you can pick up weapons that are dropped by fallen enemies or from smashing certain objects. These weapons include knifes, pipes and katanas. The game is broken into 6 levels that are fairly short and end with a boss battle. The game can be beat quickly (even in one sitting) though like most arcade games can be played multiple times.
Magic Sword is a side-scrolling fantasy arcade game. The game revolves around an un-named world that is under attack by the dark lord Drokmar. Drokmar has control of a “Black Orb” that will allow him to rule over the world. You are tasked the role of the “Brave One” who must climb the 51 stories of a tower to reach Drokmar to get the “Black Orb” out of his possession. Along the way you will use a variety of weapons and allies to battle all the enemies that Drokmar throws your way. Your allies will consist of Priests, Ninjas, and Wizards just to name a few. Each of your allies has specific abilities that help in your mission. Along your journey you will unlock doors to free prisoners (and also change your allies). This journey will not be easy with a severe amount of enemies to battle at once (and in some cases overwhelming). Some examples of these enemies include tiki heads, skeletons, dragons and grizzly bears. Just like in Final Fight, players have an attack button and a jump button. The gameplay is easy but the frantic pace and mass amount of enemies you will thank the developer for having simple and effective controls.
Both of these games are clearly coin guzzlers that were made to take loads of your quarters while at the local arcade. To say you will die a few times is an incredible understatement. You will see the continue screen more times than you can handle. Luckily in both games you get unlimited continues. This is a double edge sword. The fact that you can just hit the start button and keep playing keeps you from trying to skillfully take on enemies. Since the strategy element is gone you can simply sit back and mash buttons for the win.
Along with the typical trophy and achievements available on their respective platforms are the inclusion of additional objectives that will unlock in-game rewards. The in-game rewards provide incentive to replay the game and to do more than button mash your way through it.
Final Fight: Double Impact provides 2 great arcade classics (though an odd pairing) and really plays on the nostalgia factor. Both games offer co-op play (online and splitscreen), achievements/trophies, and in-game rewards. Solo players may be a bit let down with the overall length but co-op players will have a blast with both games again and again. Final Fight: Double Impact is a great value for $10 and is a solid purchase for those who have fond memories of the arcades from years ago.
Quick Synopsis:
Pros: Two classic games for $10 (need I say more). Co-op play for both titles via online or splitscreen. Gameplay remain fresh and fun even after 20 years. Achievement/Trophy Support. In-Game objectives with unlockables. Game can be played by novice and expects.
Cons: Both games can be beat in a couple hours (possibly even 1 sitting each). Must buy both games, even if you just want one of them. Single players may feel a bit underwhelmed with replayability. Unlimited continues can make the game a complete button masher with no skill required.
RATING: 8/10
