Two Strikes

About

Two Strikes is a single player and multiplayer casual fighting game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Retro Reactor and was released on May 23, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

In the Sengoku Period, warriors given a second chance by the Shinigami engage in a tournament to become the next Champion of Death. Two Strikes is a 2D fighting game, where players experience fast-paced life-or-death duels, with a casual and electrifying twist. Fight as samurai, warrior monks, outlaws, and peasants to win and return to earth for more carnage.

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 116 reviews

graphics24 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features a stunning art style and engaging soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
It's easy to learn but offers depth for mastery, making it accessible for newcomers while still challenging for veterans.
The gameplay is fast-paced and focuses on mind games, creating intense and strategic matches.

The game currently lacks online multiplayer, which limits its replayability and social experience.
There are some technical issues and bugs that need to be addressed, including unresponsive controls and a lack of content.
The single-player experience is considered lacking, with some players feeling it doesn't provide enough entertainment value for the price.

graphics
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
37%
7%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style and fluid animations, creating a visually captivating experience that enhances gameplay. Reviewers highlight the beautiful artwork and the effective integration of visuals with the soundtrack, which collectively contribute to an engaging atmosphere. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, making it a standout in the fighting game genre.
- “The visuals are absolutely beautiful in both fidelity and stylization.”
- “The main selling point of this game is its absolutely beautiful art style which is mixed with fluid animations to create visual eye candy that is unmatched.”
- “This game also has one of the nicest and most well-executed art styles I've seen in a fighting game in a long time, and the soundtrack for each stage is amazing.”
- “The game is still lacking in some basic features like graphics options, keybinding, and volume sliders.”
- “I reduced the graphic settings and that sped up the load times a lot but I can't imagine what about this game would make it take long to load at all.”
- “Damn, the art style to this game is 32109-”
gameplay
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
45%
9%
The gameplay of "Two Strikes" is praised for its simplicity and depth, offering a strategic experience with easy-to-learn mechanics like parrying and feinting that elevate traditional fighting game elements. Players appreciate the fast-paced, tense rounds where quick decision-making is crucial, alongside a diverse character roster that adds unique strategies. While some find the gameplay a bit too simplistic, the overall consensus highlights its polished execution, engaging visuals, and potential for future development, making it a fun choice for both casual and seasoned players.
- “The premise is so simple, yet the way the depth of gameplay evolves from every match with the same opponent is pretty brilliant.”
- “It's the epitome of simple, yet deep gameplay.”
- “Two Strikes' boldest ideas aren't just its new mechanics, but the absence of many older ones.”
- “Gameplay with a controller feels slow and clunky.”
- “Something tells you what times you can feint moves, shows you the range of different moves to help with footsies, and explains general game mechanics would be a huge help to new players.”
music
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
55%
10%
The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and match the emotional tone of the environments, with standout tracks noted for their quality. However, some players feel that the soundtrack lacks the intensity typically expected from fighting games, with a few songs feeling repetitive or mismatched in vibe. Overall, while the music complements the stunning visuals and character designs, it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more adrenaline-pumping experience.
- “The music in this game is something that took me by surprise; it takes the environment that you are in and shows a specific mood which really makes you feel that emotion. For example, the stage for the character 'Ayai', with the destroyed homes and desolated lands, accompanied by the somber music, shows how much she has lost. This grief manifests in the form of rage, beautifully represented by the game's breathtaking art style.”
- “The game visuals and soundtrack are outstanding!”
- “The character designs are memorable, the music is sick, and the gameplay feels visceral as hell.”
- “Some songs have a completely different vibe than others, and while I'm not one to usually criticize the sound direction a studio wants, I do prefer fighting game songs with a good kick to them that keeps the adrenaline going.”
- “Not to say they were bad of course, they most definitely fit the aesthetic the game presented, but for a fighting game itself, they lacked that 'fighting game music' charm.”
- “I mean seriously, listen to this soundtrack compared to Shadow Fight 2's, and you can kind of feel the sentiment that there's noticeably less intensity.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's story aspect currently lacks a dedicated story mode, which is anticipated to be added in future updates, along with additional characters and online multiplayer features. Players express optimism about the developers' ability to deliver a compelling narrative experience, given their track record in other areas.
- “There's also extra things like story mode, character lore, two more characters, and other things that are soon to come.”
- “The only thing the game is missing is a story mode, which (according to the devs) is yet to come; however, I have no doubt that Two Strikes will excel on this front like it has on every other.”
- “At the moment, there is no story mode or online multiplayer, but according to the developer, they’re looking for a publisher that can help implement GGPO rollback netcode.”
- “I can't wait for more characters, an online multiplayer, and story mode in the final release.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Two Strikes" is subtle and stylish, avoiding clichéd jokes or condescension towards players. While the gameplay is entertaining and local fights are amusing, the game focuses more on its artistic vision and engaging mechanics rather than relying on overt humor. Overall, it appeals to players who appreciate a more refined and sophisticated approach to comedy in gaming.
- “The local fights are so funny, making the gameplay a great experience.”
- “Two Strikes excels in areas where other games leave a lot to be desired; it has an artistic vision that is dripping with style and makes no hokey in-jokes or outdated attempts at humor.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted by memorable designs and a strong creative concept, contributing to an engaging overall experience. The visceral gameplay and impressive music further enhance the connection to the characters.
- “The character designs are memorable, the music is fantastic, and the gameplay feels incredibly immersive.”
- “Excellent concept and immense creativity in the character design.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers note that the game's optimization is lacking, as evidenced by slower load times compared to other titles like Monster Hunter World.
- “Monster Hunter World loads faster than this, so there must be something lacking in the optimization.”
- “The game frequently stutters and lags, indicating poor optimization.”
- “I expected better performance; the optimization feels rushed and incomplete.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is generally stable but has some minor bugs; however, players find it enjoyable and worth the price despite these issues.
- “While slightly buggy in its main state, this game is well worth its price and is an absolute blast!”