Double Dragon Gaiden Review – The Lee Brothers Are Back

When I first heard that another company was working on a Double Dragon game, I was very skeptical. Double Dragon has had so many ups and downs that it was starting to feel like the Sonic cycle had rubbed off on it. But being the fan that I am, I held fast. Finally getting some hands-on time with Double Dragon Gaiden, I’m a believer. If you’re someone who enjoyed the golden days of Double Dragon and wished the series would make a return, then this game may be what you’re looking for.

Game Name: Double Dragon Gaiden
Platform(s): PC (reviewed), PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch
Publisher(s): Modus Games
Developer(s): Secret Base
Release Date: July 27, 2023

Being someone who’s played damned near every Double Dragon game out there, including the terrible Double Dragon IV, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. On one hand, this is Double Dragon, one of my favorite brawling series. But on the other hand, there are ‘Roguelite Elements,’ and I wasn’t too keen on that. Thankfully, my fears turned out to be unfounded, as Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a fantastic return to a franchise that has had its fair share of ups and downs. Just ask Matt McMuscles.

The return of the once 2D beat ’em up king

This is a new Double Dragon, and the story isn’t connected to any of the other games; it feels like some sort of alternate timeline. Here, the world has suffered through a nuclear war and is now in decay. Gangs run rampant and do as they please. A random mayor approaches the Lee boys for help, and being the goody two-shoes that they are, they leap into action.

While Jimmy and Billy Lee look similar and deliver the same standard punches and kicks, each has a unique special move set that allows them to stand out. Marian is back, but she’s no longer the damsel in distress; she’s now a police officer armed with a sidearm, a mine that draws in surrounding enemies (great for setting up combos), and even a rocket launcher. The newcomer to the crew is Uncle Matin, the caretaker of the Lee boys, a slow, hulking character who packs a punch and loves grappling. Each character has their own uniqueness, which I love. While these are the default characters, you’ll be able to unlock others using tokens earned throughout the game.

The controls are spot on, and during my time with the game, I didn’t encounter any issues moving my characters or getting smacked in the face due to sloppy controls. However, I do take issue with the dedicated run button. Double tapping a direction has become second nature for me, and not having this option feels like a missed opportunity.

Yes, the game is yet another retro pixelated game, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d swear you were playing on a Nintendo Entertainment System. However, the game’s beauty shines through when in motion, surpassing anything an 8-bit console could replicate. There’s no hint of slowdown, and the game ran perfectly on my main PC, which is completely overkill for this game, and on the ROG Ally and Steam Deck. Playing on the latter provided an awesome experience wherever I went.

While Double Dragon has traditionally been a two-player game, the developer added the ability to tag in other characters. If you’re playing solo, you can select two different characters at any time throughout the game, assuming you meet the requirements. This mechanic is reminiscent of the character swap function in the Marvel versus Capcom games.

Another interesting aspect is the level design. Initially, there are only four levels, which might give the impression that the game is short. However, this is quite misleading. After completing the first level, which you can choose beforehand, the game introduces a dynamic change: each subsequent level becomes longer and more challenging. For instance, the second level consists of two parts, the third level has three parts, and the final level extends to four parts. As you progress, you’ll need to strategize and anticipate which levels will pose the greatest difficulty, as the game progressively ramps up in challenge.

Double Dragon Gaiden’s combat is enjoyable

Do you crave combat? Rise of the Dragon delivers it in abundance. Alongside traditional punches, kicks, and throws, the game features numerous OTGs (Off The Ground attacks), wall bounces, and various techniques to maintain your combo meter. In single-player Tag mode, you can utilize the tag ability to extend combos further. I’ve often found myself chaining one special move into another seamlessly.

Another intriguing addition is the Special KO system. This serves as an incentive for aggressive play. Defeating three or more enemies simultaneously with a special move triggers a ‘Special KO’ announcement, accompanied by a health item appearing on screen. Unfortunately, there’s no option to disable this feature, and it can become somewhat irritating over time. If your health is full, the health item converts into money, which can be used to purchase character upgrades or tokens at the end of the stage. More on this will be discussed later in the review.

Nostalgia is everywhere

Throughout Double Dragon Gaiden, I’ve noticed various nods to older Double Dragon games and others. Despite the pixelated graphics, these references are unmistakable; for example, I spotted the cover image from the Nintendo Entertainment System’s Battletoads. Even the loading screen pays homage, displaying the four default playable characters as if they were lifted from the NES Double Dragon game.

The soundtrack is a highlight, featuring arranged tracks from previous Double Dragon titles. I often found myself pausing the game just to immerse myself in these nostalgic tunes, beautifully remastered versions of music I enjoyed in my younger days.

Cooperative beatdown

Alright, let’s talk about the roguelite stuff, and it’s not as bad as you think it is. The incorporation of roguelite elements in the game has been executed quite tastefully, offering players a range of customization options that significantly impact gameplay. Before starting a run, players can adjust modifiers such as character health, enemy aggression, and even activate permadeath mode, which adds a layer of challenge and strategy. If you exhaust continues, your current game run will be deleted, emphasizing the stakes tied to these choices.

Tokens play a crucial role in this system, as they can only be acquired by cashing out your game run. The cost of tokens varies based on the modifiers you’ve applied during the game, influencing strategic decisions throughout your playthrough. Tokens can be spent to unlock additional characters, music tracks, artwork, and other rewarding content, enriching the overall experience beyond gameplay mechanics.

After completing a level, players are presented with randomized options that offer various benefits such as health boosts, attack enhancements, or increased SP power. Alternatively, players can opt to bypass these roguelite elements and collect money instead, providing flexibility in playstyle and progression.

Overall, the integration of roguelite elements not only enhances replayability but also deepens the strategic depth of the game, ensuring each playthrough remains engaging and dynamic.”

A smashing good time

Review Disclosure Statement: Modus Games provided this copy of Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy.

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