By Griff Hoffmann Double Dragon Neon: is the Kung Pow: Enter the Tongue of video games as it dives down zany street fist bumps first. From the resulting “Touchdown!” yelled by a Lee after knocking a enemy out with a bat to the ten second parody tracks that play when selecting a Mix Tape, Double Dragon: Neon excels at humor. This depth of comedy and reverence for the series doesn’t make it to the gameplay side. Billy and Jimmy are fine brawlers but are outshone by other games and their own brodacious jokes. Slap hands, Butt Cake! The Lee brothers are back as Billy’s gut punch susceptible girlfriend, Marian, is spirited away forcing the boys to traverse city street, space stations, grave yards, evil palaces and everything in between. The tongue in cheek silliness of the game in revealed only a few levels in as the standard 8-bit map juts suddenly upward into space. The Star Wars inspired space station dojo is a microcosm of what Double Dragon: Neon is all about: challenging beat ‘em up action and the kind of dumb funny I’m into. Billy and Jimmy’s occasional dialogue is hilarious as is the flavor text for each new baddie. Double Dragon: Neon never takes itself too seriously what with the references to mistranslations in previous games, 80’s bro slang, and credits music. Unfortunately, this flippant approach may have affected the gameplay. Skullmagedon is Skeletor crossed with Betty It’s still a side scrolling beat ‘em up. Beyond the standard kicking and punching, Billy and Jimmy can duck to dodge and if done at the perfect time, enter a Gleam state where they do increased damage for a short time. As expected, attacks are different when jumping or ducking and the standard array of weapons can be wielded that result in giggle inducing puns the Lee bros spout after finishing off a minion. Double Dragon: Neon also has Mix Tapes. These items can be picked up and equipped two at a time. One will modify stats and give additional effects like absorb health or increase weapon damage. The other Mix Tape corresponds to a special ability such as a spin kick (my favorite) or dragon summon. These abilities drain a meter and each one depletes the gauge a different amount. This adds a little bit of customization and persistence. As more of the same tapes are picked up, the abilities and stat boots increase. The capacity for these tapes to increase can be upgraded at the Tapesmith who, like the Shopekeeper, is hidden in levels and waiting to take your money and Mythril (yeah Mythril) for goods. This is as far as the depth of combat goes though. Even with the Mix Tapes, Double Dragon: Neon is still a simple brawler that feels a little sluggish. Billy and Jimmy. Bimmy not pictured Since Double Dragon: Neon is all about the bros, co-op is done quite well. Drop in drop out couch co-op keeps the action moving forward even when your buddy has to bounce. Online co-op has been promised by developer Wayforward. It is obvious that playing with a friend is intended (Double Dragon not Single Dragon, duh) since there is banter between the bros that would be missed otherwise and with a game they relies so heavily on comedy it’s important to hear all the bro isms. The Lee’s can also perform a high-five that will get their Gleam on or share health. Once a bro is KO’d for good, he can steal a life to keep going. Finally, a little added bonus at the end of the game is available for those who partake in the bro-op. Double Dragon: Neon might play like just another brawler given the HD treatment but it’s all the little additions inspired by great reverence for the series that make the game unforgettable. The controls are a little slow to respond and the Lee brothers never seem to be a hurry to do anything but when compared against most beat ‘em ups, that’s par for the course. The Mix Tape equipment offers a little bit of customization and progression to the side scrolling action. What makes this Double Dragon awesome are the silly jokes that the once children of the 80’s and 90’s will greatly appreciate. Double Dragon Neon isn’t a masterpiece but for plenty of chuckles and solid co-op brawling, look no further.
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