Developer: MakinGames Ltd
Publisher: Team17 Digital Ltd
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4
Tested on: PC
Raging Justice – Review
It seems like lately, more and more people are developing their own small games that are like a small flashback to the past. Understandable, since most of these developing teams or indie creators come from an era where they actively witnessed the game industry starting up and slowly blooming. Years later, they honed the skills needed to make such games themselves. Sometimes with amazing results, sometimes lacking in execution but just with ambition. Whatever the case, Raging Justice is one of those typical ”blast-to-the-past” games.
Story
Niki, Rick and Ash, a soldier lady, deadbeat cop and 15-year-old kid, are working for justice in a city filled with crime. Word is that the major is being held hostage. In an effort to find him, they cruise along the broken buildings and tough thugs until their car crashes. From this point on, you choose one of the three characters who all have the same story and try to find information by beating up everybody they come across. That’s all the story you get, and every piece of text you come across while playing is not really worth reading as it doesn’t even contribute to a story enhancing the game.
Graphics
The Graphics are the best part of the game. It’s comparable to photo-realistic graphics from games such as Mortal Kombat, but in High Definition with more modern graphics. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the old days, yet breathes in fresh life with unique, yet recognizable characters. It’s over-the-top when it comes to cliches, yet also one-of-a-kind for what it is. The animations are retro, yet smooth. It’s full of working contradictions where new and old meet, and that simply creates the most appealing part.
Sound
The soundtracks sound like rather uninspired 80’s movies tracks copies. The sound effects are nothing to write home about, and actually, lack a lot in expression. A hit sounds lame, the generic waves of enemies are basically silent.
Gameplay
Raging Justice is a beat ‘m up game inspired by games such as Golden Axe and Streets of Rage. When compared to other modern beat ‘m up games such as the cool Wulverblade that got released not so long ago, Raging Justice immediately feels like it’s lacking in combat. A lot. Even though ”it’s retro” is an argument, it doesn’t excuse that the game is scarce in variation. This means there are practically no moves to be done with your character, and you will repeat the same stuff over and over again until the enemies stop coming. Not even to mention that there seems to be something off about the combat. It doesn’t feel right. When hitting somebody, it doesn’t really feel like you’re properly hitting them at all. If your game exists for ninety percent out of this gameplay, it’s going to be a problem.
As you bash your way through enemies from one piece of scenery to the next, you will find some weapons such as bats, knives, shotguns, and TNT. Most of them were previously being used against you. After you disarm an opponent, the weapon is temporarily yours to use if you manage to pick it up. Most of them have a breaking point after one or two kills. Another weird feature in Raging Justice is that you can arrest enemies if they are stunned. When they are about to be stunned is not always clear, but the feature of arresting seems more like a gimmick best left out of the game. While arresting you are vulnerable, and besides it giving you some points and a very small amount of health, it doesn’t seem to have much purpose.
The only other time arrests seem to give you some reason is when aiming to complete challenges each level such as ”arrest five thugs” or when hunting for the warranted thugs that each level has. These challenges kind of enhance the mess that the repetitive gameplay is though since there is no way you can complete all challenges in one go even if you would want to, making the player feel more incompetent than he already is using the very limited options of attacks he has. If you choose to arrest all warranted thugs, you can’t complete the challenge to kill them and vice versa. Add that you get easily knocked down by i.e. sticks of dynamite covering half the screen when exploding and boring boss fights, and you are in for a rather dull, degrading experience.
Conclusion
Raging Justice might look like the classic titles such as Streets of Rage, but it’s more visuals than actual worthwhile gameplay. Fair and square, the visuals ARE done well, and could do great things in the right game. But if you are yearning for something that looks like the games back in the days, for now, it’s better to play those games and spare yourself the mediocrity that is Raging Justice.
Raging Justice - Review,
No Comments