When you think of an iconic video game protagonist, who comes to mind?
For most, it is Mario, Sonic, Link, or perhaps the five-o’clock-shadowed, BO-drenched, denim-clad John Marston. Your answer, whether you realise it or not, usually boils down to geography and whatever games were available during the most impressionable years of your life.
I bring this up because the Japanese name Kunio-kun (which roughly translates to Mr Kunio) carries very little weight in the West. That is, until you realise I am actually talking about the historically beloved, heavyweight beat-’em-up global phenomenon we know as the River City franchise. For most Western players, their first introduction to this iconic series was the controller-crushing 1989 title River City Ransom, released to North American audiences on the brilliant Nintendo Entertainment System. It took several more years for the game to cross the Atlantic. When it finally arrived in 1992—landing in the hands of tea drinkers and scotch egg enthusiasts—it did so under the unimaginative, rebranded title of Street Gangs.
Royal blood and biblical lineage
With royal blood and a biblical lineage flowing through this franchise’s veins, the fresh new entry, River City Saga: Journey to the West, has massive shoes to fill. I am incredibly happy to report that it fills those shoes comfortably. In fact, these nostalgic little jelly shoes might even be slightly too small.
Co-developed by UnitePlus and brought to life by the monumental masters at Arc System Works—located in the bustling, ever-growing city of Yokohama—this title comes from truly gifted artisans who have spent decades creating wonderful intellectual properties. Founded during the heyday of gaming in 1988, Arc System Works has always beaten to the funky rhythm of their own drum. It is almost impossible to imagine the modern gaming industry without these pixelated giants. They have crafted classic, imaginative games that served as staples for many of our childhoods, including the legendary Guilty Gear, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift, and my personal favourite, Battle Fantasia.
The plot is loosely based on Journey to the West, a 16th-century Chinese novel set during the war-torn Tang dynasty. In an era of endless conflict, the only light in a very dark world is Buddha’s teachings. This sparks a perilous odyssey to Tianzhu (the ancient Chinese name for India), which is exactly where you come in. Playing as a trio of quirky renegades—Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing—you must punch and bat your way through this roguelike action brawler.
The core gameplay loop is classic arcade fun. You pace back and forth across the stage, ensuring absolutely everyone gets a taste of your fists. Once the crowd is down and out, you move to the next screen to fight your way up to the “bad man” boss. This boss is usually a dude in a lavish kimono with a name that is an absolute struggle to pronounce, surrounded by a legion of steroided-up hench hooligans. If it isn’t him, it’s a scarred-up bear-man who throws literal people at you. He is so unintentionally hilarious that it is impossible to take him seriously; you will find yourself erupting in laughter every time he appears, completely forgetting that you are actually supposed to be attacking the fool. Once your fists get swollen from all the unnecessary GBH, you can put your saucy sorcery skills to the test. The game lets you summon clever clones or drop piercing traps designed to elude and damage your unlucky victims. Honestly, it never gets old using a mystical blessing just to drop a wooden food cart onto a gullible goon.
If that isn’t enough, you can upgrade your courageous characters with over 70 different skills. When times get truly tough, you can call on your beloved, benevolent Guy in the Sky to bestow a holy blessing. This serves as your ultimate weapon, allowing you to summon divine aid to smite your almighty smiters when the screen gets too crowded. If you are still struggling—as the difficulty spikes can occasionally peak—a welcome assist option is available to make the journey a little more enjoyable for less experienced players.
Pixel passion
The art style utilises gorgeous, anime-esque character models that perfectly convey the historical narrative in a playful, cartoonish form. When you dive into the thick of the action, the game seamlessly transitions into beautiful pixel sprites overlaid onto an HD world. This world is littered with dangerous, destructible environments, with items such as exploding barrels and smashable shopping carts. This vibrant aesthetic is paired with an incredible soundtrack orchestrated with a gorgeous oriental flair. Packed with more pound flutes and shamisen than your mum’s 1997 Pure Moods mixtape, the audio design elevates the entire brawling experience into something truly enjoyable.
This game is the perfect boredom buster for quick bursts when you only have a spare 10 minutes of free time. Honestly, I don’t think it has ever been as much fun being a kimono-wrapped ASBO as it is in this new instalment of the beloved River City series. The only potential drawback is that, because it is essentially an arcade game, the gameplay loop can feel quite rinse-and-repeat. However, it remains absolutely perfect for casual, drop-in sessions.
Final score 7.8/10
So, if you’re staring at the store page unsure whether to pull the trigger on this game or yourself, ask yourself one fundamental question: fancy a beatdown? If the answer is yes, pick this one up. I’m sure you won’t regret it.
7.8
+ short and sweet
+ drop in gameplay
+ entertaining story
+ assist option
-Rinse and repeat
