Coming from Bleem! and QUByte Interactive is a remake of a fighting game that I, admittedly, had never heard of until recently.
Rage of the Dragons NEO (the reason for the capitalised “NEO” remains a mystery) is a remake of a 2002 Neo Geo fighting game, Rage of the Dragons. Known for its tag-team mechanics and brutal difficulty, the original failed to make a significant impact upon release. However, time has passed, and someone clearly believes a modern remake is warranted.
In a world dominated by Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, is there room for a game from over two decades ago? Let’s step into the ring and find out.
The graphics and overall presentation have been faithfully recreated in this NEO version. The character designs, while embodying early 2000s clichés (scantily clad women, a token heavyset character, a disco king), possess a certain charm. The backdrops are well-drawn and animated, and the special moves are appropriately flashy and over-the-top. The action is fast-paced too, with attacks flying across the screen, and there’s no noticeable slowdown.
Further, the sound effects are satisfying, with impactful hits and character cries accompanying the action. Even the music is surprisingly tolerable, which is high praise for a fighting game.
Unlike many fighting games that attempt to shoehorn in a narrative, Rage of the Dragons NEO, like its predecessor by the sounds of it, forgoes any pretense of a story. It’s simply a group of characters engaging in fisticuffs for no apparent reason. There are no cutscenes or exposition dumps, so this paragraph will be brief.
The first thing you’ll notice about the gameplay is the unforgiving AI. Even on the normal difficulty setting, the computer-controlled opponents are relentless, requiring precise timing and skilful execution to defeat. After a humiliating defeat in the first round, I lowered the difficulty to easy and still struggled. It must be said, the AI is merciless, demanding practice and mastery of the mechanics if you wish to stand a chance.
Fortunately, the training mode is excellent, offering clear and concise instructions on how to perform each character’s moves. Many characters are reminiscent of Ken and Ryu from Street Fighter, with fireball and dragon punch-style attacks. However, the Xbox controller’s thumbstick isn’t ideal for executing quarter-circle motions, making the D-pad the preferred input method for these moves. The stick feels imprecise, and any missed input can leave you vulnerable to the AI’s relentless assault.
Once you have a grasp of the controls, you can explore the various game modes. Arcade mode offers the classic experience of facing a series of opponents culminating in a boss battle. However, be warned, it’s incredibly challenging. And then we have the Versus mode which allows for local head-to-head battles, which can be more manageable depending on your opponent’s skill level.
A new mode called Dragon’s Challenge presents a series of combat scenarios with increasing difficulty. Completing one challenge unlocks the next, offering a structured progression system.
Finally, we have the online mode, which, in theory, should be the highlight of Rage of the Dragons NEO. Imagine battling players worldwide with optimised netcode for smooth and responsive matches. Sadly, this remains a fantasy, as the online community is virtually non-existent, and the lack of cross-play further exacerbates the problem.
In conclusion, Rage of the Dragons NEO offers a hardcore fighting experience that demands precision and dedication. Even on the easy difficulty, mastering the mechanics and overcoming the challenging AI requires practice. While the steep learning curve might deter some players, it also adds to the sense of accomplishment when you finally achieve victory.
It’s a shame that the online world is dead, but if you crave an old-school fighting game with old-school difficulty, Rage of the Dragons NEO delivers.
Rage of the Dragons NEO Reignites the Flames of 2D Fighting Action – https://www.thexboxhub.com/rage-of-the-dragons-neo-reignites-the-flames-of-2d-fighting-action/
Buy Rage of the Dragons NEO on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/rage-of-the-dragons-neo/9NZCCKHRZCVM
