Beat ’em up fans had been hoping for the series’ comeback, but the new entry failed to wow critics and players alike. Double Dragon: Revive aimed to refresh the iconic franchise, yet it ultimately doesn’t live up to the hype.
The revival of the 1980s franchise was meant to evoke the golden era of beat ’em ups, but the game holds a middling average of 64% on OpenCritic. Steam’s reception is no better — 61% positive reviews based on 80 user opinions.
Reviewers highlight smooth character animations, well-crafted hero models, and satisfying, meaty hits that capture the spirit of old arcade cabinets. Short play sessions can be enjoyable, and the nostalgic soundtrack brings back memories of earlier titles. The developers also included several familiar series faces, a pleasant nod for longtime fans.
But the positive notes end there. Critics point to a lack of new ideas, repetitive gameplay, a short campaign, and thin content. The story wraps up quickly, and despite the solid “physical” feel of the strikes, combat becomes monotonous due to a limited move set and uninspired levels. Balance issues, dated background animations, and technical glitches sometimes recall games from ten years ago. Many observers also say the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 remain largely unused.
Source: iXBT.games