The latest entry in the long-running beat 'em up franchise, Double Dragon Revive aims to modernize the classic 1980s side-scroll brawler while preserving its cooperative punching and street-gang aesthetic. The game is developed by Yuke's and published by Arc System Works, and launches on October 23, 2025 across major platforms.
What Works
The combat, according to previews, retains a satisfying “belt-scroll” flow while adding new mechanics such as environmental interaction (throwing enemies into dumpsters, using signs as launch pads) and a special move/meter system.
The nostalgic factor is strong: classic characters, familiar bosses, and the Lee brothers are back, making it appealing to longtime fans. Cross-platform availability and support for multiple gaming systems (PS/ Xbox/PC/Switch) help widen the audience.
What Doesn't Work (or Raises Concerns)
The game's polish appears uneven: reviewers mention that while the combat is fun, the overall presentation (visuals, story, and audio) feels a step behind modern AAA brawlers. For instance, Metacritic's summary states: “serviceable but dated… occasional input delays and some design options hinder the experience.”
Purist fans of the original series and developers from prior titles express disappointment. One former artist argued Revive “shows no respect to the series” and lacks the original's flair and martial-arts soul.
Some community comments note that the visuals appear “underwhelming” or “generic” for players expecting a strong modern revamp of the series.
Notable Player & Industry Commentary
A Reddit discussion summed it up bluntly: “All the animations look terrible. Combat looks terrible. Everything looks stiff and clunky. There's no weight to any of the hits or attacks.”
Another early hands-on preview from Temple of Geek said: “While there are fun and engaging modern quality-of-life features like the gimmick system and environmental interaction... this will be a seemingly good entry … that won't break any barriers.”
Verdict & Recommendation
If you're a fan of retro beat 'em ups, especially the original Double Dragon franchise, Revive offers enough nostalgic appeal and modern tweaks to make it worth a look. The environment-based combat enhancements and meter mechanics do bring new flavor.
However, if you're after a flawless, cutting-edge revival that competes with the best modern hybrids (e.g., top-tier action brawlers), you may find Revive falls short in some areas — particularly in polish, artistic direction, and moment-to-moment visual/auditory impact.