River Metropolis Saga: Three Kingdoms is a side-scrolling beat ‘em up set in historical China. It’s a throwback to the traditional beat ‘em ups of yesteryear, that includes characters from earlier River Metropolis video games in new roles. This historic mash-up goals to deliver a smashing good time with a dose of nostalgia. Regardless of some clear flaws, it does strive its greatest to ship on this promise.
The plot contains a free historical past lesson primarily based on the Three Kingdoms interval of China that occurred 1,800 years in the past. One intelligent side—for followers of earlier River Metropolis outings, no less than—is using primary characters from the sequence. Our hero Kunio, for instance, assumes the function of Guan Yu, an precise Chinese language army common. I haven’t personally performed every other video games within the sequence (which date all the way in which again to 1989), however it’s a pleasant contact that I’m certain followers will recognize.
The gameplay is appropriate for the style. That’s, you roam from left to proper (or proper to left) whereas strolling up and down via numerous settings beating up everybody in your path. The controls are easy, with punch, kick, and seize at your disposal. These, together with virtually all the things else, could be upgraded throughout your journey, giving River Metropolis Saga an acute RPG really feel. As you stage up, you possibly can select learn how to improve your attributes, from energy and endurance to luck and intelligence. You too can buy scrolls to unlock extra strikes, and clothes to supply extra safety. Upgrading and equipping these was essentially the most enjoyable side for me.
Not like most side-scrolling beat ‘em ups, the enemies have a tendency to come back at you all of sudden. That is an odd alternative that doesn’t at all times work. For one, it makes it a lot more durable to defeat them as a result of there’s no time to drag off any cool strikes. Being surrounded by enemies solely permits for easy soar and punch/kick combos; utilizing your particular fast punch, for instance, leaves you susceptible since you possibly can’t transfer for a couple of seconds when you stand there punching. The opposite draw back is that, when you’ve cleared the world, you then need to stroll via the remainder of the scene with out operating into anybody. It’s slightly distracting and disproportionate.
Fortunately, there are many facet quests to maintain issues attention-grabbing in your method to free China. You’ll be able to select to assist townsfolk who accost you with their woes, rewarding you with meals or cash. It additionally improves your status, which contributes to your changing into the famend heroes who can defeat China’s enemies.
The sport is split into six chapters. Sadly, regardless of an everyday “saving in progress” characteristic, after a number of hours of enjoying I went again to the chapter menu just for my progress to be erased. For sure, I used to be not impressed. One other challenge with River Metropolis Saga is its efficiency. I observed apparent flicker and slowdown when too many enemies have been on the display screen directly (which is commonly).
My largest gripe with the sport, although, is its imprecise pathways and ineffective map. On the one hand, you possibly can journey backwards and forwards throughout beforehand visited websites, which makes incomes rewards for facet quests simpler. Alternatively, this can be very unclear which route to journey as a way to proceed the story. I used to be caught for a really very long time making an attempt to get to the subsequent location, backtracking an terrible lot in frustration. This could possibly be made a lot clearer.
On the plus facet, River Metropolis Saga sports activities a colorfully retro aesthetic that fits the vibe and style. The historic side permits for well-designed cities, with a inhabitants that matches into the interval. The audio matches this really feel, with a theme that comes throughout as a modern-day rendition of one thing from that period and area. It’s slightly repetitive, however nicely completed.
General, River Metropolis Saga: Three Kingdoms is a enjoyable but flawed beat ‘em up. The historic side is neat, and sequence followers will take pleasure in seeing acquainted characters in a brand new setting. The motion is respectable, and the upgrading is fulfilling, however the efficiency points and convoluted map could be irritating.
