Scott Watson reviews Raging Justice….
Good timing or just sheer coincidence? Just as a throwback to arcade classic Streets of Rage appears on Games with Gold on the Xbox this month, Team17 and development team Makin Games bring us their homage to the once great bastion of gaming, the 2D side-scrolling beat ’em up, with Raging Justice.
Its very name hides no secret to where its heart lies and it’s another one of these games that plays heavy on the nostalgia factor. You can see any number of old school influences in Raging Justice, from as far back as Double Dragon to Final Fight and the aforementioned Streets of Rage as you take to the streets and beyond pummeling the bad guys into submission.
It’s also another of these games that’s far better played couch co-op than solo. Single player it can all get a little bit muddled, a little bit overwhelming and a little bit monotonous as you fight wave after wave of bad guys in your hunt for justice. The game isn’t afraid of unleashing a ton of enemies on you at the one time; one early level in particular contains a bar brawl where you very rarely get a chance to catch a breath and sadly also where you can get caught in such an almighty beat down that you feel the game just isn’t playing fair.
The tools at your disposal are beat ’em up 101 as well… a punch, a kick, a grapple, a special. You can pick up objects and weapons throughout each level which can be fun to use at times but again tend to get a bit tired very quickly. There is a nice dynamic in the game where instead of choosing to take them out, you can choose to arrest them and play “good cop” all in the name of upholding the law. It’s a pleasing additional layer to the combat, but in the heat of the moment you find yourself forgetting this opportunity for bonus points and a health recovery in favour of just trying to survive and beat your way out of trouble.
Graphically the game has quite a unique style that will remind you of the old Mortal Kombat and Pitfighter type mo-cap characters, looking like they’ve been captured frame by frame. Again, there’s some nice nuances in the animation and character of not just you but your enemies that make them each stand out in their own way. You just don’t get much of a chance to take them in and enjoy them as the game is relentless in its beat down.
Yes, Raging Justice has its faults, but how critical of the game you want to be will essentially come down to its worth. For £10 you’re getting a decent homage to the side scrolling beat ’em ups of old, complete with a strong slice of knowing cheese from the storyline, characters, settings et al. It’s another one of those games you’ll put on when your mates are around, have a few beers, and have a few laughs, as you all reminisce about how they never make games like this anymore
Pros
+ a big nostalgia trip
+ entertaining beat down when playing co-op
+ graphic style that pays homage to the greats
Cons
– gets boring quickly in single player
– game can overwhelm you with enemies
– repetitive gameplay
Rating: 6/10
Platform reviewed on PlayStation 4
Scott Watson
Originally published May 21, 2018. Updated May 20, 2018.
