Treachery in Beatdown City E3 2018 Preview
I have a soft spot in my heart for 8-bit side-scrolling beat-em-ups. River City Ransom, Double Dragon, Streets of Rage. They’re heaping helpings of dumb fun that remind me of a glittering bygone era. Indie developer Nuchallenger feels the same way. Treachery in Beatdown City has all that side-scrolling ass whupping you fondly remember, along with a curious twist in the form of a VATS-type targeting system.
If you choose the right moves, you can string together a seven-hit combo without too much trouble. It’s all a matter of picking the right commands. Other unconventional touches include status effects, like blind and armor break. There’s a lot of passion on display here. In addition to the level and character designs, you move through a Mario 3 world map. The combat itself is a work in progress, but I can see the shine underneath. With a little more polish, the fights could have some truly satisfying depth.
Beatdown City evoked a sort of nostalgia for days gone by without leaning too heavily on the tried-and-tired mechanics that those games are famous for. I was a little thrown off by the pacing of the present build, but I have a feeling that will be tightened up by the time of the final release. I want to see more of this game, and I think that the Nintendo Switch is a perfect home for it. Nintendo’s titanic portable console is a safe haven for retro indie titles of all varieties. Combined with the community’s affection for arcade brawlers, I feel like Nuchallenger’s game will do well when it’s eventually released.
