Double Dragon: Neon

Nostalgia-Packed Gameplay

Double Dragon: Neon throws you back into the world of side-scrolling beat ‘em ups, where Billy and Jimmy Lee are just as ready to take on the world as they were in your childhood. The core mechanics are a love letter to the genre, with a focus on smashing enemy waves with a mix of basic punches, kicks, and the occasional flying knee. The mix tape system is a novel twist, allowing you to swap out abilities like you’re crafting the ultimate 80s playlist. It’s a little cheesy but in a way that makes you want to crank up the volume and keep brawling. The combat feedback is satisfying: each hit resonates like a bass drop, making every encounter feel impactful.

Co-Op Carnage

The co-op experience in Double Dragon: Neon is where the game truly shines. It’s like a buddy movie where you and a friend take on the bad guys, sharing laughs and groans over failed combos and perfectly timed high-fives. The game encourages you to coordinate, stringing together attacks for epic combos that make you feel like an unstoppable duo. There’s something about pummeling Abobo with a friend that makes the world seem right. However, the online co-op can be a bit of a letdown with occasional lag that turns your elegant dance into a clumsy stumble.

Retro Visuals and Soundtrack

Visually, Double Dragon: Neon is a neon-soaked fever dream, embracing its 80s roots with vibrant colors and exaggerated character designs. The environments are diverse, from gritty city streets to outer space, each with its own charm. The soundtrack, composed by Jake Kaufman, is a standout, perfectly capturing the era with catchy tunes that keep your adrenaline pumping. It’s hard not to get swept up in the retro vibes, even if some textures look like they belong on a CRT screen rather than your modern setup.

The Good, The Bad, and The Clunky

While Double Dragon: Neon hits a lot of high notes, it also stumbles on some low ones. The combat variety, despite the mix tape system, can feel repetitive after a few hours. You find yourself longing for a few more special moves or a more intricate combo system to keep things fresh. The controls can feel a bit sluggish at times, making precise moves a challenge. But hey, if you’ve ever played on an old arcade machine with a sticky joystick, it’s almost nostalgically fitting.