Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons Review Summary

The best modern Double Dragon and highly enjoyable with many unlockable characters, but it's too short, online co-op is broken, and the price is too high.

Many unlockable characters available: Players consistently praise the large number of unlockable characters, including bosses, each with distinct abilities and playstyles. This variety significantly enhances replayability and is a standout feature of the game.

Game is highly enjoyable: Overall, the game is described as fun, addictive, and well-made, with engaging gameplay that works smoothly. It offers good value for its price and is generally considered an excellent game.

High replayability value: The game offers high replayability due to unlockable characters, multiple endings, changing level orders, and roguelike elements. Each playthrough feels different, encouraging repeated play.

Best modern Double Dragon: Many reviewers consider this the best Double Dragon game to date, praising it as a loving tribute to the franchise with improved combat and modern twists. It is seen as a great addition to the series.

Combat is satisfying: The combat system is described as solid, smooth, and satisfying, with impactful mechanics that are fun and varied. Players appreciate the simplicity and pleasant feel of the combat.

Game too short: Multiple reviewers note the game's short length, finishing in 2-3 hours or less. The brevity reduces replayability and perceived value.

Gameplay repetitive: Enemies and gameplay loops become monotonous quickly, especially in story mode and replays. This reduces long-term engagement.

Price too high: The game is considered overpriced for its content, especially given the short length and limited replay value. Many feel it's not worth the full price.

Online co-op broken: Online co-op either doesn't work or is completely missing, with only local play available. This severely hampers the multiplayer experience.

Too few levels: The campaign has only 4-5 stages, which feels insufficient for a full game. Reviewers want more level diversity and content.

Genre is beat 'em up: The game is consistently described as a beat 'em up, specifically in the style of classic arcade titles like Double Dragon. It features side-scrolling action with roguelike elements and retro-inspired gameplay.

Multiplayer and co-op support: The game offers both local and online multiplayer, including co-op modes for up to four players. This is a major feature highlighted across multiple reviews, emphasizing both couch co-op and online play.

Roguelike mechanics present: The game incorporates roguelike or roguelite elements, such as randomized upgrades and changing run conditions. This adds replayability and varies the gameplay experience between runs.

Unlockable character roster: Many characters are locked and can be unlocked through progression, often using in-game tokens or by completing the game. The roster includes over 20 characters, many of which are bosses.

Diverse playable characters: Players can choose from a large roster of characters, each with unique movesets, special moves, and gameplay mechanics. The game emphasizes character variety and distinct playstyles.

FPS drops reported: Players experience FPS drops at random moments during gameplay, despite some reporting smooth performance. This inconsistency suggests optimization issues under certain conditions.

Smooth on specific hardware: Some players report flawless 60 FPS performance on mid-range laptops, including a Ryzen 5 2500u with RX 560x and MacBook Air. These reports indicate the game can run well on modest hardware, contradicting performance complaints.

Frequent crashes: One player reports that the game crashes frequently, indicating stability issues that can disrupt gameplay. This is a serious concern for player satisfaction.

Softlock bug encountered: A specific softlock bug was reported where an enemy clipped out of bounds and became unkillable, preventing progression. This is a critical gameplay-breaking issue.

FPS capped at 60: One player noted the game's frame rate is capped at 60 FPS, which may limit performance on higher-refresh-rate displays. This cap could be a deliberate design choice or a technical limitation.

Recommended for beat 'em up fans: Many reviewers highly recommend the game for fans of beat 'em up games, including both experts and newcomers to the genre. It is seen as a standout title that can be enjoyed by casual and hardcore players alike.

Best value when on sale: A significant number of reviewers advise purchasing the game during a sale or at a discounted price. It is frequently described as great value when discounted, but not necessarily worth the full price.

Positive general recommendation: Some reviewers give a straightforward, positive recommendation without specific caveats. They suggest the game is worth the time and money for a broad audience.

Appeals to Double Dragon nostalgia: The game is particularly recommended for fans of the classic Double Dragon series and nostalgic players. Reviewers mention it is a must-have for series fans, though some suggest tempered expectations.

Great in local co-op: Reviewers specifically recommend playing the game in local co-op mode. Playing together with a friend enhances the experience.

Community fair range: $5.00 - $15.00.

Game completion: 4.5h.

Story completion: 2.0h.

Session length: 1.5h.

The game is fun immediately for most players, with addictive combat and accessible controls. Some players experience a slow start or online co-op bugs, but the core gameplay is enjoyable from the outset.

Friction: Combat starts slow for some players; Online co-op doesn't work or is buggy; Second controller setup is tedious; Roguelite run structure can feel tedious.

Unlock drivers: Getting the hang of combat.

Nostalgic Double Dragon Veteran: Plays like the old arcade iterations, expects familiar movements and callbacks, and often compares the art style and pacing to the original series. Motivation: Relive classic Double Dragon memories and see if a modern remake can capture the old-school spirit. Stance: sale.

Genre-Depth Connoisseur: Deliberate and technical, focusing on positioning, grab combos, special moves, and comparing mechanics to other beat 'em up titles. Motivation: Master complex combat systems, experiment with character synergies, and find underappreciated depth in the genre. Stance: buy.

Local Co-op Enthusiast: Teams up locally, coordinates attacks and character switches, and appreciates the dynamic tag system for variety. Motivation: Enjoy fun and memorable cooperative sessions with friends or family, especially through local multiplayer. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck: The game is enjoyable and runs well on Steam Deck through Proton, but it suffers from broken controller support and occasional stability problems like black screens and stuck characters. These issues are particularly problematic for a split-screen co-op title, significantly increasing friction despite its portable appeal.

Monetization: The reviews show no evidence of real-money monetization. The game features an in-game currency and a token-based revive system that cannot be bypassed with real money. Players also praise the free updates and even request paid DLC, indicating a lack of greed. The only negative comment is a subjective quality complaint about the game being a 'cash grab', which lacks specific monetization claims.

Comparisons to classic beat 'em ups: Reviewers frequently compare this game to classic and modern beat 'em ups like Double Dragon, Streets of Rage 4, and TMNT: Shredder's Revenge. It is seen as a nostalgic but modernized take on the genre, though some consider it weaker than its rivals.

Nostalgic Double Dragon homage: The game is explicitly tied to the Double Dragon franchise and is praised for capturing the feel of the original arcade games while offering modern gameplay. It is considered a love letter to the series with a fresh coat of paint.

Frequent free content updates: The game receives continuous post-launch support, including free updates, DLC packs, new characters, and online co-op. Reviewers highlight the developers' dedication and appreciate that all additional content is free.

Price and value concerns: The game is often described as short (about one hour of gameplay) and not worth its full price, but a good value when bought on sale or in a bundle. Reviewers recommend waiting for a discount due to the length-to-price ratio.

Stronger than Double Dragon Neon: Compared to the previous Double Dragon game (Neon), reviewers find this title's graphics and overall presentation more appealing. It is considered an improvement over its predecessor.