River Metropolis Saga: Three Kingdoms is a side-scrolling beat ‘em up set in historical China. It’s a throwback to the basic beat ‘em ups of yesteryear, that includes characters from earlier River Metropolis video games in new roles. This historic mash-up goals to carry 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 encompasses a unfastened historical past lesson based mostly 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, not less than—is using principal characters from the sequence. Our hero Kunio, for instance, assumes the function of Guan Yu, an precise Chinese language navy common. I haven’t personally performed another video games within the sequence (which date all the way in which again to 1989), nevertheless it’s a pleasant contact that I’m positive followers will admire.
The gameplay is appropriate for the style. That’s, you roam from left to proper (or proper to left) whereas strolling up and down by numerous settings beating up everybody in your path. The controls are easy, with punch, kick, and seize at your disposal. These, together with nearly the whole lot else, will be upgraded throughout your journey, giving River Metropolis Saga an acute RPG really feel. As you degree up, you possibly can select how you can improve your attributes, from power 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 probably the most enjoyable side for me.
In contrast to most side-scrolling beat ‘em ups, the enemies have a tendency to come back at you unexpectedly. 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 tug off any cool strikes. Being surrounded by enemies solely permits for easy leap and punch/kick combos; utilizing your particular fast punch, for instance, leaves you weak since you possibly can’t transfer for just a few seconds whilst you stand there punching. The opposite draw back is that, when you’ve cleared the realm, you then should stroll by the remainder of the scene with out working into anybody. It’s somewhat distracting and disproportionate.
Fortunately, there are many facet quests to maintain issues fascinating in your technique to free China. You may select to assist townsfolk who accost you with their woes, rewarding you with meals or cash. It additionally improves your fame, 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” function, after a number of hours of taking part in I went again to the chapter menu just for my progress to be erased. For sure, I used to be not impressed. One other difficulty with River Metropolis Saga is its efficiency. I seen apparent flicker and slowdown when too many enemies had been on the display without delay (which is usually).
My largest gripe with the sport, although, is its imprecise pathways and ineffective map. On the one hand, you possibly can journey forwards and backwards throughout beforehand visited websites, which makes incomes rewards for facet quests simpler. Then again, this can be very unclear which route to journey with a purpose 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 might 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 somewhat repetitive, however nicely carried out.
General, River Metropolis Saga: Three Kingdoms is a enjoyable but flawed beat ‘em up. The historic side is neat, and sequence followers will get pleasure from seeing acquainted characters in a brand new setting. The motion is first rate, and the upgrading is fulfilling, however the efficiency points and convoluted map will be irritating.