fullyilly

@millarrp we really want this to happen too. I'm personally a massive fan of the WiiU game pad and would love nothing more than to sit playing Wulverblade on that screen! I wish every console had a similar feature.

@undomiel awesome, thanks!

@Barncak the game is going to be great value for money as we're cramming a lot of content into the final game. The main campaign is roughly 2-3hrs in length (it depends on skill level, it's a tough game) and you also get 8 arenas too which are ridiculously good fun for a quick bash with a friend. The arena modes are what we've been taking to the shows and most players have stated that they believed those alone would make a worthy game But for us the arenas are a bonus. There are also lots of unlockables too which really increase replayability Lots of content.

@dizzy_boy great! The blood was included as there is a VERY strong historical element to this and the vast majority of the game is based on actual history, so it seemed wrong to have hundreds of warriors in sword based combat and for their not to be any blood That's my excuse anyway

@artofmana thanks for the comments! The snappy animations are something we've actually focused on in particular. Why? Well one of the main things that made the classics great were the fast twitch, snappy moves that the characters had and that creates for a really visceral impactful feeling.

A lot of modern brawlers endulge in the fact that we can now afford for longer, richer animations (memory restrictions didn't allow this back in the day), but this has a negative effect on the snappiness of the moves. Some of our enemy units enjoy longer animations though as their timing isnt as critical due to it not being player controlled.

We've studied the frame timing of most of the original classics and based our timing very closely to those. What may look snappy actually 'feels' really impactful. I promise you'll be able to feel the difference when you play. We've held some long play testing sessions at a mixture of retro and arcade focused events which has been incredibly beneficial in retaining that classic feel.

Long reply, sorry about that I get carried away ha haaa.

@Toadthefox the player feedback we've had from the shows we've taken it to have been overwhelmingly positive, fun it very much is We've been working closely with players to refine the game and it's really making the game something special. We were lucky enough to win The People's Choice Award - Best Indie Game 2014 at Play Expo last year which was a MASSIVE confidence booster!

@GrailUK worry not, we're pretty sure we can retain the exact same look, there's other areas we can focus that 'should' make this work just fine. It just requires a lot more work and more effort. Not something we're afraid of

Thanks for the post Damien! If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask, I'm more than happy to answer them

@Einherjar I'm with you on this one, I also backed the KS campaign but I can't put my finger on what doesn't feel right. There's just something that isn't clicking my giddy button.

I'd have LOVED to have seen this game done in HD 2D like Rayman, Ori, Mark of the Ninja etc. I personally think that would have done it for me.

@Damo The real Sega lives in the hearts of us old school fans This is a serious masterpiece in the making. Sega need to wake up and throw some cash at this project so that they can stick their name in the opening sequence

@DaveCook You're very welcome! I think it was the old case of 'how can we make this different?' and in turn they destroyed what made it great. Sometimes more of the same is just what the world wants and needs.

Great article!

My memories of Streets of Rage are really special. Seeing the first game for the very first time at a mates house (when I was still playing a Master System) was utterly awe inspiring. I still recall the exact feeling it gave me at the time. I HAD to have it!

Maybe it's nostalgia speaking here but I still regularly play the first game and don't feel that it's lost a thing. Part 2 was indeed a masterpiece in every regard but the first game is just superb. And yeah, let's not mention 3, what a catastrophe.

It would be great to see this come back in 1080p but without any changes to the gameplay. I'd like to think that they've still got all the original photography hanging around which would make a truly HD version possible.

This clay style always looks ace, just like with that new brawler coming out this year, Raging Justice, which has a similar look.

Great article as always Damien! My MCD and Multimega are packed away and will likely never be hooked up again. Those ageing lasers are too delicate to risk modern day play. I have to admit that this is where emulation really comes in, its a safe way to play games that you may otherwise destroy via killing an OAP console.

Great review Damien! Looks like this might be on my Christmas list this year.

Definetly backing this! Loved the first two James Pond games. Especially the second, a total classic. Lets hope they forget Aquatic Games and focus on Robocod as a play base. Good luck guys!

Not that these guys particularly excite me, or that their games would sway my decision on the purchase of any platform, but I have to admit, my Wii U went back in its box within 3 months, my Wii went back in its box within 2 months and my 3DS went back in its box the week it launched. So for me personally, the appeal of Nintendo consoles has dwindled over the years.

I still hold myself as a Nintendo fan, but I think I'm perched on the end of my chair in the vein hope of seeing some old school Nintendo magic again.

The company has changed a lot when you 'really' think about it, as back in the SNES days Ninty were ultra hardcore, they had the cutting edge platform, the best 3rd party devs and had everyone eating out of their palms. Yeah they still had their friendly cutesy side with Mario but they could flex the meanest games out there at the same time.

Ahh, nostalgia, it keeps me buying Nintendo's time after time.

NOTHING evokes as much excitement in the gaming world as Street Fighter 2 World Warrior. When that bad boy hit the Super Famicom in Japan and was selling for £100 per copy via the UK importers, the buzz was beyond belief. I personally believe that no other game before or after it has ever created that degree of hysteria. What a true and total classic.

My review score, 10/10. What it lacked against its sequels, it gained thrice with its effect on the gaming world.

Ahaa, I needed a new doorstop!

You're all missing the point, the dude in the picture is STILL playing Mario Kart on his SNES from the day he purchased it in 1992...geez.

Controversial opinion I know, but Zelda, as with Mario, essentially died when they stepped out of 2D and into 3D. Zelda 3 - Link to the Past was borderline perfection, as was Super Mario World.

Sad news. 1313 looked incredible too.

Show me a pre-order page and take my money!

Improvement yes, but still terribly slow. Could the WiiU have the slowest menu load times ever? I'm betting so. Poor show for supposed 'next gen'.

Lets change the headline to...

'2,000 MUMS cast their vote'

...as lets be honest, its pretty much only mums and grandparents that shop in store at GAME.

Backed this Kickstarter this morning, pleeeeeease god let it hit Wii U! Nice little article Damien!

Done.

You're welcome

And may I just add that this review 'may' have just tipped the balance on me buying a WiiU tomorrow...damn you McFerran!

There is nothing wrong with refining what's great. Football has been football since forever, be it with a tin can or a premium ball. Car racing has been car racing whether it be banger racing or F1. So console games don't need to change the mould every time to still entertain and be loved.

@CrimsonMoonMist We can live in hope!

Please Christ let 'in glorious high definition' mean a HD 2D follow up to Yoshi's Island. If it does, I will revoke my distaste for the WiiU and immediately buy one. The End.

That ad is completely devoid of the Nintendo vibe in every way. Where's the Nintendo feel? Where's Mario? Where's what makes Nintendo special? Pretty appalling attempt at advertising in my opinion.

Great write up Jamie! You really grasped the vibe of the show. I just wish we didn't have to wait a whole year for the next one Looking forward to meeting up at the next one!

If the 3DS and Vita are anything to go by, the shops will have loads on release day and wont run out. Although this article has now spiked my interest in pre-ordering lol.