Streets of Rage Remake Version 5 - The Best Fanmade Game Ever?

After eight years of hard work, Streets of Rage Remake is finally done and the final version has been released as of earlier this week. As a fan of the franchise, I have been looking forward for a while when Bomber Games were finally able to finish it. This is one big complete package of the best of the Streets of Rage franchise compiled into one big game with somewhat an original story. Well, not really with the original story of Mr. X and his Syndicate are up to no good as its up to Axel, Blaze, Adam, Skate, Max, and Zan to the save the city from corruption. When Bomber Games claimed there are over 100 areas in the game, they weren't joking, and it makes sense since you get to select a starting path (Four of them) to beat up dudes. Two of them will be familiar as there are the first games from the first two games while the other two are original paths mixed in with some Streets of Rage 3 stages. Then there's the multiple branching paths to take which encourages multiple playthroughs of the game, which is great seeing which path leads to a certain boss or an area just filled with unexpected stuff. For example, there are vehicular sections in the game as you're on a bike or a little boat beating up dudes. However, these sections are pretty sketchy as you will have a hard time coming out of then alive at first, but eventually figure out tactics to lessen the damages. These multiple paths also mean multiple endings, which are the various endings from the three games remade in a new visual style.

Streets of Rage Remake encourages replay value like no other compared to any other beat-em-up in existence. There's the six various characters playable at the first with Axel spamming gran uppers like no one's business, Adam getting buffed up in the stats department (now my go-to), and so on. There are characters to buy as well in the shop after beating the game once along with cheats, bonus modes such as survival and boss rush, and extras. The customizable options are also stacked as you can play the game at the default SOR3 style o even the classic SOR1 style with no special moves at your disposal. New to this remake I believe are star moves in which the more stars you have, the better your dash attack is. Adam, for example at two stars has a Balrog-like dash punch, but adds in an uppercut with three stars, which does a good amount of damage. This also encourages staying alive keeping the stars as if you die, you lose a star. Police attacks from the first game also make a return and of course useful in tight situations and against bosses in their limited use. The difficulty also ramped up for this final version as it can be hard especially at the final stretches when at it alone. The enemy AI is smarter and bosses are willing to counterattack too. The game does get easier with another person around joining in on the fun and even a AI-controlled buddy in which you can dictate its behavior (being balanced, aggressive, stupid, etc.) at the start of a playthrough.

Graphically, Streets of Rage Remake is modeled after the second/third games, so its nice to backgrounds from the first game remade in the later games' format along with seeing original settings as well. The characters have also been redrawn to fit that style too. The amazing soundtrack though is something special. All of the tracks from the various games have been remastered as it is just awesome listening to the tracks being modernized in a way Yuzo Koshiro, the franchise's composer, would of thought of if Sega wants to bring to properly bring it back. Then again after the amazing job Bomber Games did with this homage to a classic franchise, it is probably for the best Sega never touches it again even though they seem to be aware of this version's existence and requested for the download links to be taken down for now. Bomber Games also mentioned today that they will patch it up soon toning down the difficulty to make it easier to beat it alone.

Whenever you have a chance, play this game as soon as you can if you love classic beat-em-ups especially this franchise. This is retro gaming and fanmade games done right as hopefully Bomber Games get the props they deserve.

Today in the World of Games for 4/6/11

Lots of things happening today in the world of games...

Yes, Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition is confirmed as DLC via a trailer that was leaked earlier today. Yun, Yang, Evil Ryu, and Oni (now out for proper AE) are coming to consoles, but no date set yet even though it will be revealed next week once the embargo is up from the Captivate stuff (the Capcom press event that is going on now at Miami). Other than the big AE update with the characters and the balance changes, the main game is getting an overhaul display-wise as titles now appear on screen just like the proper Arcade Edition. Plus, the replay channel is getting some cool additions such as skill-specific channels and a YouTube-like approach of following guys that put up new replay videos. Once again, all of this puts Marvel 3's online options to shame. The trailer is out somewhere to download, so search the interwebs for that. Honestly, I have getting in the mood to play AE again, so this announcement is coming at a good time. Also, Capcom lately can not keep their secrets out especially with Arcade Edition with the whole Evil Ryu/Oni fiasco a couple months back and now, its just pointless to take down what was pretty inevitable in the first place.

Sega is once again at it with another Sonic game to celebrate its 20th Anniversary and this time they better not screw it up, but chances are they'll likely do it. This teaser shows not just one Sonic, but two of them as one is the modern incarnation with the green eyes while the other is more old-school being a little more lighter. Other than that, it shows nothing as teasers should do, but expect something around E3 time what are Sega's plans with Sonic. Will Sonic 4: Episode 2 get announced for a fall release or another 3D attempt is in the books that hopefully gets it right once and for all?

Over at Mortal Kombat land, the game is confirmed to be gold earlier this week, so we might see the leaks pouring out next week at the mom/pop stores. Personally, I'm not going to fall for the early bird release like I did with Marvel 3 & SSF4 since I got a Tournament Edition pre-order already, so I don't mind waiting patiently. Above is a clip featuring Jax & Kano from the live action web series coming out later this month and below is a Shang Tsung vignette video for the game that is out on the 19th. Expect some MK coverage around then along with a review too.

Rockstar Games put up a third trailer for L.A. Noire, which continues to amaze and the game is out next month.

Today in the World of Games for 3/30/11

Here's a teaser for Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. Keep in mind that it is a TEASER developed by Slant Six. People expect too much from trailers (even teaser trailers) these days.

The third part of the Fault Line video series for Battlefield 3 is now up and shooter fans are excited to get that wire out. Also, too soon for earthquakes?

YES... Another new Child of Eden Trailer!!!!

Now with glowing hands!!!!! Also, screw the haters, its still most highly anticipated game this year.

Experiencing The Arrival (A "Review" of the last Mass Effect 2 DLC)

Note: Potential spoilers are ahead, so you are warned.

The last bit of downloadable content for Mass Effect 2 came out today with the Arrival. For seven dollars (560 Microsoft Points), you can experience events that will set up Mass Effect 3 for good old commander Shepard. Even though it is not as long as the other DLC missions such as Overlord and Lair of the Shadow Broker, Arrival does its part well of bridging the two games especially with the big decision you make at the end. The mission starts out with Admiral Hackett privately telling Shepard via his terminal about a friend, Dr. Kenson, in need of saving because of a potential Reaper invasion. Apparently the Reapers can go through one of the mass relays, specifically the Alpha Relay here, to invade everyone especially planet Earth. It is up to Shepard to prevent the Arrival basically, or if you seen the trailer for Mass Effect 3, postpone it. You are then sent on a solo outing (no help from your teammates) to rescue her over at Batarian space. The first part of this DLC can be played with the usual run & gun approach or the optional stealthy way. The only reason you would play the stealthy way is to get the achievement/trophy for it, but the game's journal didn't really tell you that method is the recommended way to go. The DLC as a whole is filled with combat sequences, but the little bits of story especially with the plot twist you can guess right away at the start keeps things going for the DLC. Sure, doing it alone doesn't make the combat significantly different from the main game with squadmates around covering you, but you take the tactical part of the combat for the most part if you're into that. Shepard does get put in a tough spot when he makes a big decision at the end of the DLC that will have have its costs. This decision also sets him up for events that will take place in the third game. The Arrival is only a hour or two long (with a post suicide mission Shepard), and seven dollars might be asking a little too much for such little content especially compared to the past downloadable missions. If you're a Mass Effect fan and want to experience the gap between the two games though, then the Arrival is still worth your time and money.

My Top 5 Music Videos of Q1 2011

In no particular order...

Far East Movement - "Rocketeer" (LA Dreamer Short Film) - This vid does LA justice.

Nicki Minaj - "Moment 4 Life" feat. Drake

Radiohead - "Lotus Flower" - so simple yet so amazing.

Black Eyed Peas - "Just Can't Get Enough" - putting this here in honor of Japan.

LMFAO - "Party Rock Anthem" - Cause obviously, everyday I'm shufflin.

Today in the World of Games for 3/28/11

I haven't paid attention to El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron till I saw this Giant Bomb Quick Look EX for it featuring Ignition's Shane "Mangod" Bettenhausen. I knew that this game exists since it was announced and had potential to be pretty good, but now that it is closer to release at Japan (U.S. release a little later), this is actually amazing. The visual style is somewhat refreshing for the genre (looks Okami-esque since some of the Okami guys worked on this from the artistic side) and the combat looks to be interesting as well from what Shane was describing. El Shaddai is shaping up to be a sleeper hit contender for this year that a certain crowd would enjoy.

Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition has been rated by some UK ratings board today, so there's your proof that it is still coming out on consoles. There is still no word if Capcom wants to release it as DLC or another retail game, but we will probably find out at Captivate next week. Speaking of Captivate, Capcom expects to show off new footage of Street Fighter x Tekken, Asura's Wrath, the Ninja Theory DmC reboot that everyone still hates because of the Dante redesign, and the newly announced Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, developed by Slant Six (SOCOM PSP games and Confrontation).