Treachery in Beatdown City

+1

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 120 reviews

gameplay18 positive mentions

Treachery in Beatdown City offers a unique blend of beat 'em up and RPG elements, providing a fresh take on traditional gameplay.
The game features sharp, humorous writing and engaging social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The combat system allows for strategic planning and combo creation, rewarding players for mastering the mechanics.

The game suffers from stability issues, including crashes and save file problems, which can hinder the overall experience.
Dialogues can be overly lengthy and repetitive, detracting from the pacing and enjoyment of the gameplay.
Some players find the combat mechanics frustrating, particularly with countering and resource management, leading to a sense of imbalance.

gameplay
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The gameplay is a unique blend of beat 'em up and RPG elements, featuring old-school pixel graphics and innovative mechanics that require strategic thinking and attention to detail. While the battle system is engaging and offers a variety of character styles, some players may find the dialogue lengthy and certain mechanics, like grappling, unbalanced. Overall, the game provides a fresh take on classic genres, though it can become repetitive at times and may frustrate those unfamiliar with its mechanics.
- “It has a unique style of gameplay, combining beat 'em up and RPG elements with old-fashioned pixel graphics and new-fashioned story elements.”
- “The gameplay is a really interesting mix of fighting game and RPG mechanics, with position and spacing, combo bonuses and momentum, and dynamic resource management.”
- “Beatdown City is a cool genre mashup that does something very new with the mechanics of classic NES action games like Double Dragon and JRPGs like Dragon Warrior.”
- “The game is not without its flaws; dialogues can drag quite a bit sometimes (especially in the end), and if you weren't paying attention to the gameplay mechanics, you'll be frustrated at how the same tactic won't work on all enemies.”
- “An issue is that the grapple resist mechanic on enemies that are not nearly dead makes grapples basically finishers, and strikes are what you will be using most of the time, so the strike character is clearly the most viable one while the grapple character feels like a 'joke.'”
- “Some may see the gameplay as a little high given the repetitive nature and shorter campaign, around six hours for the first and currently only episode.”
humor
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by sharp, satirical writing that offers insightful commentary on social issues, particularly resonating with marginalized audiences. While many players find the dialogue hilarious and engaging, some critique it for being overly repetitive and occasionally falling flat. Overall, the blend of funny cut-scenes, unique combat, and nostalgic charm contributes to a fun and entertaining experience, despite some inconsistencies in humor delivery.
- “A great retro style game that has an innovative combat system and hilarious writing.”
- “Outside of fighting, the writing's some of the most hilarious American social commentary you've seen in a video game.”
- “What shines about this game is the humorous dialogue, which delivers scathing commentary on racial, political, and class issues with humor and insight.”
story
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
73%
10%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and hilarious, featuring smart writing and unique character perspectives that enhance the narrative experience. However, others criticize it as boring and predictable, laden with lengthy dialogues and a lack of depth. Overall, while the humor and writing are praised, the story's coherence and originality receive significant criticism.
- “And the story is engaging and hilarious.”
- “With a funny story and amazing writing to go along, this is definitely a game worth picking up.”
- “The story is pulling me along, and I want to keep playing to see where it goes.”
- “To put it simply, if you expected some 80s fighting game story, you'll be disappointed.”
- “The story overall is boring; you just follow the woke context and you'll know what will happen every time. Plus, you have to suffer through long and super boring dialogues.”
- “Weirdly topical and dated at the same time, story/humor-wise.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
58%
17%
The graphics of "Treachery in Beatdown City" feature a charming retro pixel art style that resonates well with fans of classic aesthetics, enhanced by a vibrant chiptune soundtrack. While many praise the in-game visuals for their nostalgic appeal and compatibility with modern displays, some critiques highlight that the cutscenes fall short, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully blends old-school visuals with contemporary storytelling elements, making it a unique entry in the beat-em-up genre.
- “The 8-bit graphics look gorgeous on my 4K monitor, and the music and sound effects are totally on point.”
- “Its retro aesthetic is realized flawlessly, with a kickass chiptune soundtrack to boot.”
- “8-bit loveliness in the graphics, sounds, and animation.”
- “In-game graphics are decent, but the cutscenes are an eyesore.”
- “God-awful combat, vomit-inducing graphics, dialogue that is more cringe-worthy than my hero academia fan fiction.”
- “The graphics are a significant drawback, failing to meet modern standards.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and energetic chiptune soundtrack, which perfectly complements the retro aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as "bangin'" and a great motivator that enhances the overall vibe of the game. Fans of classic NES music will particularly appreciate the nostalgic feel and quality of the sound design.
- “Love the general vibe of the game too; the writing is sharp and the soundtrack is a banger.”
- “Its retro aesthetic is realized flawlessly, with a kickass chiptune soundtrack to boot.”
- “The 8-bit graphics look gorgeous on my 4k monitor, and the music and sound effects are totally on point.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users report that the game exhibits strong stability, with no significant issues affecting gameplay.
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as intensely impactful, with players noting that even minor irritations can lead to significant emotional distress, akin to a painful experience. This suggests that the game's design and narrative can deeply resonate with players, evoking strong feelings that can be overwhelming.