Revenge of the Dragon
Loosely though not directly based on the original arcade game, this game has so many things that make it stand out. For one thing there is a little more story in it, the original had a story but like a typical action film by it's nature it was more of a guideline to give purpose for the action. I really liked the story in the second game, the cut scenes were great they felt like pages of a comic book and it really kept me intrigued and involved, let alone provided logic as to how both characters wind up in one enviorment to another, where in most beat em up they just appear their for not much reason at all.
This is an element I don't see much in beat em ups the only others I can think of that was story driven is "Splaterhouse 3" and "God Hand" (games I already reviewed) It's also supprising dark, just the mere fact that significant other Marian is dead which in a strange way give the game a sense of emotion (okay not exactly) and there is an actually head villian that has genuine motives.
I love how there are more levels in the game which means the adventure is a little longer. And in each level there is a little more variation in the enviorment which makes things more interesting and not seem like your stuck in just one place all the time which I felt can make a fight seem a little boring. There are also as usual a varity of weapons which in all beat em ups are your best friend.
The controls are solid, one of the best things about the game is the combat system which is colorful. You can finish off guys by grabing them and then either uppercuting, kneeing though my faovrate is executing a ju-jitsu thow. There is the power knee and my favorate move of all is the cyclone kick, I love that move it's a shame you can't do that in real life. That move is just so powerful you are practically unstopable with it, it can reduce the odds when things get out of hand, drain out a boss's energy a little quicker, but the best thing of all it's a move that is easy to execute which means you can use it at any given time though you may have to practice first so it can come naturally.
And of course another of the very best things about this game is the music, all of the songs on this game are memorable and are just great to listen to. There are current remixs though for me the best remix is the "Double Dragon Arranged" album from Japan which I recomend you give a listen because it is just pure joy.
If there is a bad thing about the game is just simply the sequels afterward which I felt never matched up due to formating and technical issues. Let alone a stupid uninspired stories that felt sort of out of place. The last good "Double Dragon" games I can think of are "Double Dragon Neo Geo" which is a one on one fighting game and "Double Dragon Advance" for the GBA, though both are really sequels the Neo Geo one was a movie to video game adaptation (yeah but thankfully not much to do with that piece of crap movie) and the other a remake of the original, but all the same both are worth playing. Personal I would love to see either a new sequel (one that has nothing to do with 3-5) or a revival to the franchise. Heck may'be even a live action movie remake, a good one for that matter.
Double Dragon 2: The Revenge roars.