Double Dragon Revive

Double Dragon Revive feels less like the miraculous resurrection its title might suggest and more like exhuming a shambling corpse.

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'.

Double Dragon Revive doesn't quite hit the mark, but does do some things right.

Double Dragon Revive attempts to bring the franchise back into the spotlight, but fails miserably

Double Dragon Revive is a lazy sequel. Although the developers tried to adhere to the spirit of the original, they failed in the task of updating the gameplay to modern standards, drowning in goofy mechanics, unoriginality, and boredom.

Double Dragon Revive punches its way back into the spotlight with smooth performance, deep combat, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. It’s a fun, interactive, and well-built brawler that honours its roots while embracing modern polish, even if its story and structure play it safe.

The classic fighting game has been revived in a modern version, but it doesn't bring a more intense experience or significant improvements.

Double Dragon Revive introduces interesting ideas such as unique character moves and combat that attempts to be complex. However, these intentions are undermined by fundamental gameplay flaws. Despite a noteworthy soundtrack, Double Dragon's return feels dull and underdeveloped.

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 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.