Double Dragon Revive Reviews
Double Dragon Revive feels less like the miraculous resurrection its title might suggest and more like exhuming a shambling corpse.
Double Dragon Revive doesn't quite hit the mark, but does do some things right.
Double Dragon Revive is the sort of game that's just damningly mediocre. It doesn't fumble the ball too hard in any significant way, but neither does it really excel at offering a fun and engaging beat 'em up. Interesting gameplay ideas are held back by uneven execution, and the uninspired graphical style kind of takes some getting used to.This will have its fans, and it's worth purchasing on a deep sale someday, but it's definitely nowhere close to the list of games I'd recommend to someone wanting to expand their beat-'em-up collection. Perhaps Billy and Jimmy will wow us with their inevitable next outing, but this one is just 'alright'.
The word “slop” has recently been overused to the point of death, and that’s a shame, because I’d very much like to call Double Dragon Revive slop. It baffles me how you can put out something this ugly and unenjoyable without attaching an apology to it instead of a price tag, but that's videogames for you.
Far from being the disaster we feared, Double Dragon Revive is a worthy entry in the series that brings some interesting ideas to a very classic development. It's dated and can't compete with the titans of the genre, but you'll enjoy it if you're a survivor of the Lee brothers' fights.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Double Dragon Revive is a love letter to the franchise, but one that occasionally forgets to stamp it properly. It’s not bad game per say, there are flashes of brilliance where it all comes together, and for those moments, it feels like the return I hoped for. But just as often, it reminds you that sometimes, bringing back the past isn’t enough. If you grew up with the Lee brothers and just want to relive the glory days with a friend, you’ll probably have fun as long as they can come over your house. If you’re new to the series, though, this isn’t going to make you a believer.
Double Dragon Revive isn't a completely disappointing game, but it doesn't completely captivate either. It's a prime example of a project that works just enough to be entertaining, especially when the action heats up and the combat system shows its potential, but never really pushes the envelope.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Though Streets of Rage 4 remains the bar to pass, Double Dragon Revive even feels markedly less satisfying than the excellent Double Dragon: Rise of the Dragons which was released a little over two years ago. That said, while Double Dragon Revive does implement some neat mechanics which would serve future games well, the lackluster 3D character models and dull worlds act to its ultimate detriment, resulting in plodding combat that rarely satisfies or compels. If this was intended to be a true revival of Double Dragon, then someone forgot to bring along the soul because what we've ended up with is a hollow facsimile of what Double Dragon should be, rather than an evolved celebration of everything we loved about it in the first place.
Double Dragon Revive isn’t the rebirth fans were hoping for. Its combat impresses with a variety of defensive and environmental mechanics that add real depth to each fight, but other elements drag the experience down.
Double Dragon Revive represents a step backwards in virtually every way. It's a missed opportunity that likely relegates the historic series to the background once again, waiting for someone to finally do it the justice it deserves.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A dull reboot of a legendary franchise, Double Dragon Revive mixes tedium with wonky movement, boring stages and annoying bosses for an ultimately unfulfilling experience.
Double Dragon Revive is a classic brought back to life, but that means many of the issues have returned as well.
Double Dragon Revive lacks a more decisive personality, but there's no doubt that the game manages to overcome skepticism, delivering a solid enough gameplay system and a great beat'em up experience for modern times. The only downside is the rather limited content in terms of length and variety, but the merits in the sound design and the small details in the interaction with the environment stand out, ensuring that long-time fans will find something here with the potential to become great in the near future.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Double Dragon is back, and it looks better than ever. Good looks and more freedom when it comes to movement doesn't translate to a game that's more fun to play, however, with the combat of Double Dragon Revive feeling rather clunky. And so, while it isn't a bad game by any means, it's simply not as enjoyable as it should be.
Double Dragon Revive is exactly what the series needed to come back from obscurity. Veterans and new players alike will enjoy what Yuke's has brought out here. It may not be groundbreaking, or even a AAA title by today's standards, but it's a lot of fun and can be picked up and played by almost anyone.
Ultimately I don't think Double Dragon Revive is going to bring the revival to the franchise the title claims. There's something here and I reckon another year of development, polish and tweaking could honestly result in a legitimately great scrolling beat 'em up. But as it is right now - especially at an asking price of around $50AU, it's difficult to justify for anyone outside hardcore Double Dragon fans or scrolling beat 'em up fans that just want something to play before something better comes along.
Double Dragon Revive is no revival of its franchise. If anything, it feels like mindless filler. The graphics are nice (though it seems that’s a rare opinion), the combat is solid, if incredibly simple, and the levels don’t do enough to really excite or tear away from what quickly becomes a repetitive tedium. The game feels terrified to try anything new and therefore settles for mediocrity, providing just enough to briefly entertain a player before failing to offer anything more.
Double Dragon Revive will not be the return to form that it should have been for some. Others may look beyond the iffy art direction and new-yet-dated graphics and find a very competent and, dare I say, fun brawler with a healthy dose of combat. You’ll find me in the camp of the latter. It’s always welcome to see the Lee Brothers, and while it’s not quite as addictive or fun as Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons, it offers plenty for fans of the genre and the franchise. It’s one I’ll return to time and time again, and I would love to see a sequel to see how the developers would tackle a remake of Double Dragon II in this style.
If you're looking for detailed graphics, well-modeled characters, and impeccable textures, Double Dragon Revive might not be the right game for you. But if visuals aren't a problem and what you're looking for is arcade fun, solid gameplay, and that nostalgic arcade feel, then the journey will certainly be worth it!
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despite coming from a long line of games, Double Dragon Revive failed to reach the level of quality worthy of its golden age. It manages to be entertaining with its dynamic combat and good variety of scenarios, which offer interesting interactions. The problem is that, while the game is not exactly ugly, its style leaves something to be desired, as do some of its challenges. It is recommended for fans of the beat 'em up genre or anyone who wants to relive (even partially) the glories of the past.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review