Tbh as much as I like this game, it feels really outdated for the year it came out. I know it's supposed to be a faithful throwback to old-school Kunio/River City games, but there is a lack of dyamicism and speed, annnnd....depth I guess? You know, some things modern anime games of this genre have that this game doesn't. Actually, 3rd Strike was faster and more dynamic compared to this. And was 2 decades ago. To me it feels like an updated version of the older Kunio games, with some added things you couldn't do in those games. But...I need more??? XD

Besides the art style, the fact it doesn't feel like 100 percent of this era does contribute alot to my personal disappointment. As much as I don't like to admit that. I like old-school homages. Buuuut...

Instead of framing their mindset as "make it a homage to old-school beat em up/Kunio games while spicing things up" they should've went for the mentality of "just make the coolest most stylish beat em up ever". At least that's what it felt like what they were thinking to me as I played the game. Felt like being faithful to the series that spawned it is part of what held back this game's potential... Yet, I guess this game wasn't catered towards me in the first place. I'm less interested in homage and more interested in making things as cool looking as possible.


Connecting attacks to the enemy doesn't feel as impactful or satisfying as I would hope. I at least wanted a big crunching/smashing sound effect for when you land your punches and kicks. It has a great art style, but the gameplay doesn't match that energy. I was expecting something more fluid and dynamic where the animations are super fast, and the attacks are super hard hitting and make a cool noises when you hit the opponent. Again, maybe setting my expectations too high.

The story feels "empty" and too eventless. Not enough meaning and motivation in the characters you meet. They went for a purely comedic approach to the narrative, I get that, but it would've made it funner and more engaging to have characters with a compelling purpose that moves the plot along. Not to mention the game is too short, but that's a given I guess.

However, I'm still quick to commend the game simply because it was done on what I suspect to be a limited budget, and I think alot of the game's flaws stem from that. Wayforward did the best they can, and at the most they created a charming and funny game that's a good quick time killer....


Honestly I was putting my expectations too high, and setting myself for disappointment when I read "Arc System Works" in the opening logos. I like River City Girls for showing off Wayforward's strengths as a developer, and their ability to create a charming and visually appealing title. But not the true modern anime beat em up I was expecting with Arc System Works' name attached to it. Maybe if they make a River City Girls sequel, I expect to see improvements given Wayforward has definitely accumulated more knowledge and skills to make an even better beat em up in the future. I know they can.

Tbh as much as I like this game, it feels really outdated for the year it came out. I know it's supposed to be a faithful throwback to old-school Kunio/River City games, but there is a lack of dyamicism and speed, annnnd....depth I guess? You know, some things modern anime games of this genre have that this game doesn't. Actually, 3rd Strike was faster and more dynamic compared to this. And was 2 decades ago. To me it feels like an updated version of the older Kunio games, with some added things you couldn't do in those games. But...I need more??? XD Besides the art style, the fact it doesn't feel like 100 percent of this era does contribute alot to my personal disappointment. As much as I don't like to admit that. I like old-school homages. Buuuut... Instead of framing their mindset as "make it a homage to old-school beat em up/Kunio games while spicing things up" they should've went for the mentality of "just make the coolest most stylish beat em up ever". At least that's what it felt like what they were thinking to me as I played the game. Felt like being faithful to the series that spawned it is part of what held back this game's potential... Yet, I guess this game wasn't catered towards me in the first place. I'm less interested in homage and more interested in making things as cool looking as possible. Connecting attacks to the enemy doesn't feel as impactful or satisfying as I would hope. I at least wanted a big crunching/smashing sound effect for when you land your punches and kicks. It has a great art style, but the gameplay doesn't match that energy. I was expecting something more fluid and dynamic where the animations are super fast, and the attacks are super hard hitting and make a cool noises when you hit the opponent. Again, maybe setting my expectations too high. The story feels "empty" and too eventless. Not enough meaning and motivation in the characters you meet. They went for a purely comedic approach to the narrative, I get that, but it would've made it funner and more engaging to have characters with a compelling purpose that moves the plot along. Not to mention the game is too short, but that's a given I guess. However, I'm still quick to commend the game simply because it was done on what I suspect to be a limited budget, and I think alot of the game's flaws stem from that. Wayforward did the best they can, and at the most they created a charming and funny game that's a good quick time killer.... Honestly I was putting my expectations too high, and setting myself for disappointment when I read "Arc System Works" in the opening logos. I like River City Girls for showing off Wayforward's strengths as a developer, and their ability to create a charming and visually appealing title. But not the true modern anime beat em up I was expecting with Arc System Works' name attached to it. Maybe if they make a River City Girls sequel, I expect to see improvements given Wayforward has definitely accumulated more knowledge and skills to make an even better beat em up in the future. I know they can.