Deathwish Enforcers Special Edition
- February 14, 2024
- Monster Bath Games Inc.
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Get on itch.io Store"Deathwish Enforcers Special Edition" is a 4-player local co-op arcade shooting game set in 1969 San Francisco. As part of the city's elite police force, your mission is to take down a crime syndicate and its leader, Big Boss X, through seven levels of action-packed gameplay. With five characters to choose from and the option to power up weapons or use special attacks, this game offers a fun and humorous take on classic arcade shooters.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Deathwish Enforcers is a charming homage to classic arcade games like Sunset Riders, featuring engaging gameplay and a fun 70s exploitation film theme.
- The game boasts beautiful pixel art, a groovy soundtrack, and a humorous tone that resonates well with fans of retro action movies.
- Cooperative play enhances the experience, making it a great choice for multiplayer sessions, and the adjustable difficulty settings cater to both casual and hardcore gamers.
- The game is relatively short, often completed in under an hour, which may leave players wanting more content for the price.
- Some players find the difficulty to be punishing, with certain enemy types being frustratingly damage spongy, leading to cheap deaths.
- The lack of online co-op and limited options for character customization and control settings can detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay17 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Deathwish Enforcers" is a nostalgic homage to classic titles like "Sunset Riders," featuring simple yet engaging mechanics that appeal to both older and younger players. While it incorporates smart updates and beautiful pixel art, some reviewers note that the fluidity of the run-and-shoot mechanics could be improved, making it slightly less enjoyable than its inspirations. Overall, it offers a fun and challenging experience, enhanced by a humorous twist and a retro aesthetic.
“Tons of references for us old heads but enough fun that younger folks will enjoy the gameplay.”
“Simple yet effective gameplay that forces you to think at times.”
“Plenty of challenge, beautiful pixel art in that Konami house style, and gameplay that nails the feel of the games that inspired it.”
“The run and shoot gameplay of Sunset Riders feels more fluid than that of Deathwish Enforcers, which is why it doesn't fully work and makes for a slightly less enjoyable experience all around.”
“It doesn't really stray from the gameplay of the Konami classic, choosing instead to switch up the location and try to make the humor a little more intense.”
“But not the first-person view shooting part of gameplay initially copied from Empire City: 1931 released by Seibu Kaihatsu in 1986.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, colorful pixel art and detailed animations, reminiscent of classic arcade titles like Sunset Riders. Reviewers appreciate the humorous references and the distinct 70s grindhouse aesthetic, which enhances the overall visual experience. The combination of excellent visuals and a fitting soundscape contributes to a nostalgic yet fresh gaming atmosphere.
“I liked the animations and graphics very much, with the environment being very detailed and also fun.”
“It is vivid, colorful, incredibly nicely animated, and has excellent audio and graphics.”
“The pixel art graphics are full of life with enough attention to detail to stand out among today's retro standards.”
“A lower-end Metal Slug clone with a 70s grindhouse film aesthetic.”
“Deathwish Enforcers excels in later stages when it starts to stray from the harsh police aesthetic and does so in a way that wasn't quite anticipated based on the game's first two stages.”
“It retains the overall feel and appearance of the Konami classic while creating a distinct aesthetic.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever references, hilarious visuals, and entertaining character development, particularly with its funny bosses. While many players find the humor to be a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, some feel it can occasionally fall flat or be overshadowed by gameplay frustrations. Overall, the game successfully blends raunchy humor with nostalgic elements, making it a fun choice for fans of retro arcade shooters.
“On one hand, the references and visuals are plain hilarious.”
“A very entertaining arcade shooter packed with classic movie references, bombastic action and great humor!”
“The sense of humor in this game is off the charts and adds to the charm of this game.”
- music9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its groovy, retro quality, reminiscent of classic Konami arcade titles, and is considered a key element that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the tight integration of sound effects and music, contributing to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere, while the art direction complements the soundtrack beautifully. Overall, the music is described as a standout feature that elevates the game's charm and enjoyment.
“Great music and art direction too.”
“The graphics, the gameplay, the bosses, the music, it is a dream come true, a true gem.”
“The setting, music and 70s theme could not be better for a game like this.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Deathwish Enforcers Special Edition offers limited replayability primarily due to its short campaign, typical of the genre. However, the inclusion of local co-op mode, various difficulty levels, and achievements provides some incentive for players to revisit the game, despite the overall experience feeling like a "one-taker."
“The game plays well, and the different difficulty settings and achievements give good reason for replayability!”
“Deathwish Enforcers Special Edition does not tread on new ground and just aspires to be an enjoyable run 'n' gun experience. Even though the campaign is short, which is typical for this genre, the local co-op mode and various difficulty levels add some replay value to a package that is highly reminiscent of 90's classics.”
“The game is a 'one-taker' in a sense because there's not much replay value outside of adding new gimmicks after finishing once, but they're minor.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report minor stability issues, including occasional visual glitches like objects not disappearing as expected after interactions, such as an exploding dynamite stick.
“I experienced frequent crashes that made it impossible to enjoy the game.”
“The game is plagued by stability issues, with constant lag and frame drops.”
“There are persistent bugs that disrupt gameplay, like objects not rendering properly.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its clever integration of humor and creativity, particularly in the design of bosses, which enhances the overall experience. The well-paced action sequences complement this development, making it a standout feature within the run-and-gun genre.
“It knows where it fits into the run-and-gun genre by fusing humor and creative character development, particularly with its bosses, alongside brief, well-paced action sequences and a range of gaming options.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lacking excitement, leading to a sense of monotony.
“I found this game extremely tedious and uneventful.”
“The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward.”
“It takes forever to level up, making the gameplay feel like a chore.”
