For many years, side-scrolling beat ‘em up games have retained a special nostalgic significance for gamers who grew up feeding quarters into arcade machines.
Iconic releases like Streets of Rage and Double Dragon defined the brawler genre with simple yet intense combat sequences that resulted in addictive gameplay. From their gritty urban settings to their lurid bloody showdowns, these titles defined childhood and adolescence for a generation.
While that distinct style has endured through modern spiritual successors, it’s been a long time since the gaming world welcomed a true beat ‘em up that pushes the genre forward. Thankfully, that’s all about to change thanks to Vice and Virtue®, the hotly-anticipated release from indie game developer, Raini Studios.
Created to introduce beat ‘em ups to an audience too young to remember its predecessors (as well as diehards who can’t get enough), Vice and Virtue® combines classic gameplay with excellent graphics, motion-captured combat from a UFC legend, and the unique under-the-hood capabilities of cutting edge tech. The release represents a bold new hope for reviving and innovating upon one of gaming’s most beloved retro genres.
Legendary Pedigree
Spearheading the team’s stacked development team is none other than industry icon Mike Haller, a man whose pedigree in hand-to-hand combat games is basically unrivalled. As a designer, Haller has been involved with smash hit franchises including Medal of Honor and Def Jam Vendetta, and his work on wrestling WWE/WCW games at THQ earned him not one but two ‘Fighting Game of the Year’ awards.
As if that wasn’t enough, Raini Studios has also tapped none other than current UFC heavyweight king Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, whose deadly moves have been captured by precise motion-capture technology. Arguably the most accomplished mixed martial artist in the history of both the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, Jones’ unmistakable swagger makes him an obvious candidate for iconic modern brawl star.
While Vice and Virtue® has the chops to be a worthy torchbearer for the storied beat ‘em up legacy, Haller and his team don’t want to simply rehash an 80s vibe. The release blends classic retro brawling with advanced graphics and engine technology with Unreal 5.4. Think of it as a classic genre game retrofitted with a more player-centric model and next-gen game mechanics.
In a nutshell, gamers can look forward to intense street fighting action that honors the side-scrolling DNA of Final Fight, while walking in the shoes of a badass like Jon Jones. What’s not to like?!
Making It Raini
For fans pining for an authentic return to side-scrolling brawling action, as well as enthusiasts eager to see what a classic retro style using the latest technology can do, Vice and Virtue® may be the game they’ve been waiting for.
Raini Studios actually has pedigree for fighting games, releasing a Mexican wrestling title Lucha Throwdown later this year. As with Vice and Virtue®, Mike Haller was the creative force on the Lucha-IP licensed game.
With a legendary team, a star lead character, and a potent blend of old-school spirit and cutting-edge tech, Raini’s latest offering is poised to breathe new life into an iconic genre. Vice and Virtue® is a game that celebrates the industry’s past while introducing modern players to its bright future.
