Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance

Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance may not be the title to bring beat-em-ups up to date that fans would hope, but that's not to say the game doesn't provide any enjoyment. Fans of the genre will appreciate some of its touches and groan at others, if you grew up with Final Fight, Streets of Rage, etc... make sure to try it out.

The developers of Beat Down show some understanding of what would be needed to bring the beat-em-up genre into the next generation, but unfortunately seem to be unable to execute it completely. The game is entertaining, though not very moving and sometimes even irritating. If you’re looking for a 3D interpretation of your favorite 2D brawler, you may enjoy Beat Down. If you’re looking for a game with depth and an engaging storyline, you won’t find it here.

The developers of Beat Down show some understanding of what would be needed to bring the beat-em-up genre into the next generation, but unfortunately seem to be unable to execute it completely. The game is entertaining, though not very moving and sometimes even irritating. If you’re looking for a 3D interpretation of your favorite 2D brawler, you may enjoy Beat Down. If you’re looking for a game with depth and an engaging storyline, you won’t find it here.

"Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance" soa como uma oportunidade perdida. O sistema de aliciar aliados renderia uma variação interessante nas missões, mas qualquer boa idéia não suportaria um título repetitivo e que pára a toda hora para carregar dados. Mas se você gosta de jogos de luta e principalmente de violência gratuita, poderá encontrar doses maciças por aqui.

While the game started out with good, unique intentions, none of the game’s features are correctly executed. The fighting system, for example, is the core gameplay element, however, Capcom has simply failed to correctly build a solid and successful fighting system that correctly supplements the storyline. Every other aspect of the game is also disappointing, making Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance a purchase only for those look for a casual, simplistic game.

While the game started out with good, unique intentions, none of the game’s features are correctly executed. The fighting system, for example, is the core gameplay element, however, Capcom has simply failed to correctly build a solid and successful fighting system that correctly supplements the storyline. Every other aspect of the game is also disappointing, making Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance a purchase only for those look for a casual, simplistic game.

All in all, if you’re a fan of the 2D brawler from back in the day, Beatdown deserves at least a rent. For all the other gamers out there, avoid this game. Whether it’s the poor combat system, cliché-riddled story, or over-the-top violence, Beatdown is not going to satisfy many gamers.

At forty bucks, Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance isn’t a bad game, but it could have been an amazing game with just a bit more execution to go along with the excellent forethought. Sure, the story is pretty interesting and the gameplay dynamic is totally unique, but technical issue in the engine, graphics, and audio make it hard for me to enthusiastically recommend this title to any third-person action fan. Definitely give Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance a rent first (if nothing else but to check out the cool recruitment system); Capcom’s unique third-person style may end up perfectly matching your brawling game needs.

Tentant de réinsérer le genre perdu du Beat'em All de rue, Beat Down : Fists Of Vengeance ne parvient qu'à se placer péniblement dans le flot de jeux d'action de ces temps-ci sans pouvoir se démarquer. Connaissant pourtant le background de Capcom dans ce genre de softs, il est étonnant de se contenter d'un titre pas forcément détestable mais loin de ce à quoi l'on pouvait s'attendre. Amusant et plein d'idées, il mérite néanmoins un coup d'oeil furtif. Espérons qu'une suite élève ces trouvailles à la lumière. Et un petit doigt en moins pour la firme japonaise.

Tentant de réinsérer le genre perdu du Beat'em All de rue, Beat Down : Fists Of Vengeance ne parvient qu'à se placer péniblement dans le flot de jeux d'action de ces temps-ci sans pouvoir se démarquer. Connaissant pourtant le background de Capcom dans ce genre de softs, il est étonnant de se contenter d'un titre pas forcément détestable mais loin de ce à quoi l'on pouvait s'attendre. Amusant et plein d'idées, il mérite néanmoins un coup d'oeil furtif. Espérons qu'une suite élève ces trouvailles à la lumière. Et un petit doigt en moins pour la firme japonaise.

In the end, it seems like Beatdown tries to do a little too much. The idea of exploring a city and building up a gang while trying to duck your rivals and the police is appealing, but the way it's executed in the game leaves a lot to be desired. The features don't feel fully developed, and the constant load times you experience are frustrating. Rather than bringing the beat-'em-up genre into the modern age, playing Beatdown just makes you long for the simpler games of yore.

In the end, it seems like Beatdown tries to do a little too much. The idea of exploring a city and building up a gang while trying to duck your rivals and the police is appealing, but the way it's executed in the game leaves a lot to be desired. The features don't feel fully developed, and the constant load times you experience are frustrating. Rather than bringing the beat-'em-up genre into the modern age, playing Beatdown just makes you long for the simpler games of yore.

Every bit as generic as its title implies, Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance is a dumb, forgettable game and nothing else. A 3D brawler with a few additions to the basic face-punching formula, Beatdown reaches the low bar it aims for, and some people will certainly appreciate its mindless button-mashing content. Unfortunately, there’s nothing to overcome its simplistic core; the graphics are muddy, the characters are bland, and the "mature" language sounds more forced than a nun dropping the f-bomb. It looks like Beatdown is going to have a very short trip to its final destination: the bargain bin.

Every bit as generic as its title implies, Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance is a dumb, forgettable game and nothing else. A 3D brawler with a few additions to the basic face-punching formula, Beatdown reaches the low bar it aims for, and some people will certainly appreciate its mindless button-mashing content. Unfortunately, there’s nothing to overcome its simplistic core; the graphics are muddy, the characters are bland, and the "mature" language sounds more forced than a nun dropping the f-bomb. It looks like Beatdown is going to have a very short trip to its final destination: the bargain bin.

Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance is worth a rental for role-playing or fighting game fans, but certainly doesn’t merit the retail price tag. With so many other amazing games out for the Playstation 2 right now, gamers can’t afford to waste money on second-rate titles. Check this one out if you’re looking for something innovative, but don’t plan on staying entertained for longer than it takes to complete the story.

If any of the features described above sound cool, they're not. Playing through this game is an exercise in the most extreme forms of repetition. Fight, kill, fight, kill, fight, kill, and on it goes. It never gets better, it never gets worse. It's the same thing over and over.

If any of the features described above sound cool, they're not. Playing through this game is an exercise in the most extreme forms of repetition. Fight, kill, fight, kill, fight, kill, and on it goes. It never gets better, it never gets worse. It's the same thing over and over. If you absolutely love pointless violence and cheesy, forced atmosphere, then by all means pick this title up. Otherwise, stay extremely far away. In fact, stick to Streets of Rage 2, that game is way better.

Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance looks like a great idea on paper, but it fails to be even mildly entertaining past the first hour of play. There's no excuse for the game's camera, and the long load times and slow pacing are just icing on the cake. Even at $39.99, the game's not worth a purchase, but if you're into mindless fighting and can tune out a horrible camera it might be worth a rental.

While I do like the idea of a fighter with RPG elements, Beatdown just doesn't cut it. Those who want to enjoy an excellent Capcom fighting game, stick with the original Final Fight arcade game. Those who want RPG in their fighting game, either locate an NES or GBA copy of River City Ransom. It is a better offer than Beatdown can ever be.

While I do like the idea of a fighter with RPG elements, Beatdown just doesn't cut it. Those who want to enjoy an excellent Capcom fighting game, stick with the original Final Fight arcade game. Those who want RPG in their fighting game, either locate an NES or GBA copy of River City Ransom. It is a better offer than Beatdown can ever be.

OK, true, there are a few high points, like being able to knock an enemy down a flight of stairs. But that's small change compared to everything that just doesn't work. For anyone just casually looking for a fun fight game, this is most definitely not the game you're looking for. And for the beat-'em-up fans who want something new, just playing Beat Down feels enough like getting kicked down the stairs that you won't return to the genre any time soon.

If you're playing the one-player mode, please note that the female news reporter is used to save your game. I didn't realize this the first few times I played, and it was quite frustrating (who wants to talk to a reporter in the middle of a fighting game anyway?). But Beat's Down's biggest disappointment is its two-player mode. Instead fighting gangs side by side (like the good 'ol days), it's just a lame one-on-one "versus" mode. I was hoping Beat Down would offer some old school action with updated graphics, but instead it emphasizes everything that's wrong with the "new" school.

Other underachieving facets of the game, such as the awful, wildly repetitive music and the atrocious voice-acting, probably deserve comment, but I'm all out of apologies. Be warned: there is a tremendous amount of cursing in the game, but none of it sounds sincere. I cursed plenty while playing, and it came straight from my own beat down heart. Get your revenge on bad games and leave this stinker in the shadows of the bargain bin.