Double Dragon Neon - A classic reinvented

This game just screams retro, but with updated graphics. It's a little gem that's really fun and full of delicious cliché references do the 80s. The opening is a classic, with a girl called Marian (Billy's girlfriend) getting kidnapped and the heroes starting their quest to save her. Our heroes are two brothers, Billy and Jimmy Lee, that have been the protagonists from several Double Dragon games. I remember these games were hard but fun. By combining iconic characters and traditional beat 'em up playing from the original Double Dragon with a completely new combat system that rewards precise defensive counters and clever skill management, Double Dragon Neon is so much more than a fine trip down nostalgia/memory lane...

But hey, just look at these guys: Vests, a lot of denim, tight jeans, mullets, not to mention the cassettes and the music. Oh, the music... It's great!!! So 80's! And did I mention that this game is an 80s throwback? XD
The game starts with Marian walking alone when a gang appears and one of them punches her in the stomach and kidnaps her. A garage door opens and Billy and Jimmy Lee walk out in search for vengeance and to rescue her.
If you played the original Double Dragon, all of this will be familiar to you. The game was launched in 1987, so the music totally fits with the atmosphere. And did I say it sounds awesome? XD
By the time you face Linda, the chick with a whip, and the absurdly large Abobo, you might think that you have a good idea about the game. But nothing could be further from the truth...

Although Neon makes many references to the original game, soon it starts to carve it's own path. It has the typical elements of combat from a beat 'em up but it also has many layers of depth that make it very interesting and challenging. The combat is reinforced by perks you unlock as you play. These perks are cassettes with songs (80s anyone?...) that give you special and passive abilities so you can grow stronger and defeat enemies more easily. If you're dying too quickly, just add an ability to increase your health. Want to make your attacks more powerful? Sure, go ahead. The super attacks are nice too, like the flaming dragon that clears the screen doing tons of damage but drains your magic bar.

Double Dragon Neon's over the top atmosphere not only takes you into a journey down memory lane but it also introduces you into a layer of ridiculousness that wasn't present in the original game. Billy and Jimmy Lee are unabashedly bro and they wear that distinction with style. They can do several high fives to exchange Health, Gleam and Magic between them. They are constantly shouting catchphrases like "Tubular" or "Touchdown", and the game is consistently funny in general and is deliberate about all of those situations.

This game screams 80's all over the place (did I mention that already? XD). It’s a beat 'em up with cassette tapes, bright neon lights and colors, and over-sexualized men and women, the latter occasionally screaming “punish me!” as they die. XD Oh, and this one I didn't mention yet: the main boss, Skullmageddon, is amazing! :o He totally steals the show every single time he’s on screen. His voice work and dialogue are so damn amazing that each encounter is something truly special. The ending, in particular, is something you won’t forget any time soon.

Double Dragon Neon is a good nostalgic update to the arcade classic mainly because although it respects it's heritage, it's also not handcuffed to what the original started. By shifting the tone from serious to crazy and funny, and making the combat system rewarding for the most dedicated players, this is a beat 'em up on par with modern games.
But it has some downsides too... For example, sometimes, things get difficult and you see yourself constantly dying in a certain level, until you're able to get enough power ups and this can make the game a little boring. But on the other end, the original game was difficult and that's what gave it some of it's charm. But for the few hours it takes to reach the end, Neon is a satisfying brawler that's as deep as it is humorous.
In my opinion, Double Dragon Neon lives up to its prestigious heritage and it's a good fun game, throwing you back to a almost mythical era, the 80s, where so many thing were deliciously cheese! Oh, the memories...
If you love the beat em up genre, this is an instant classic! Grab it! Play it! Have fun! Enjoy!

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