#and I still haven't played 2 because it has fuckin' *technical issues*?

[fostersffff]

Not that it was a particularly high bar to get over, but Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is the best Double Dragon game since Double Dragon Neon in 2012. I was a little unsure about picking it up at all when it was announced to be a roguelite, and to be clear, those elements are at best not obstructive and at worst betray a lack of confidence in the content they made.

That's a shame, considering the content is good, and honestly once I figure out the path of least resistance (so far it seems like that route would be Royals > Okada > Triangle > Killers) I don't think I'll ever deviate from that, which will ultimately result in a mostly consistent experience. But, to the game's credit, I do want to keep playing to unlock all the extra characters and goodies they have locked away.

In the ranking of modern* beat 'em ups, it'd probably go something like...

1.) Streets of Rage 4

2.) The Ninja Warriors Once Again/The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors

POWER GAP

3.) TMNT: Shredder's Revenge (subject to go up whenever the DLC drops)

4.) Fight'n Rage

5.) Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons

6.) River City Girls