Like Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection before it, Fighting Force Collection is…interesting. It’s not that the games are lacking a good port, as Implicit Conversions put in commendable effort. It’s just that the games they were converting weren’t exactly award winners to begin with. That said, if you’re a fan of old-schoolers or Core Design’s past work, this may just be for you.
Fighting Force released in 1997, with one prime intention – Streets of Rage, or something like it, in 3D. It’s a neat concept, but not exactly handled with precision. The game lacks variety, and its hitches get in the way more than once. The sequel, 1999’s Fighting Force 2, did away with the concept entirely in favor of…an adventure game? That’s like producing a racing game and, for the sequel, going, “Ah, never mind, we’re going dating sim.”
Both games look better than they ever have, and the devs threw in some CRT options as well. There’s very little history here, though. What I wouldn’t give to hear more backstory on why Core Design went the direction they did with the project.
For $20, you do get plenty of nostalgia with Fighting Force Collection. But it just feels like it’s celebrating accomplishments that leave you wondering why they were put on a pedestal to begin with.
First Up, Fighting Force
The first game, Fighting Force, is the big draw of the two. You choose from one of four characters and kick plenty of enemy butt. It’s up to you to save the city, using whatever techniques and weapons you can get your hands on. There are also multiple paths, though you still generally do the same thing – kick, punch, slam, repeat.
Story-wise, it’s pretty forgettable, with no real compelling turns. But it does set the stage for brawling. That said, it’s average at best. The combos are quite repetitive, though effective; and the use of weapons doesn’t mix things up that much either.
There is something cool about playing between four characters – two females, one average sized male and a behemoth dude. So that does warrant repeat plays just to see how each one handles. But once it’s done, there’s very little to go back to. Co-op is pretty good, though, for a bit.
While the controls are responsive, again, they lack inspiration. Because of that, you’re likely to play this once or twice before reaching for your nearest copy of Streets of Rage 4.
Fighting Force does look good, thanks to solid emulation and the ”CRT effect”. But, outside of that, there’s not much else that could’ve been done. Fans will love it, but others will go, “Anything else?”
And Then…There’s Fighting Force 2
When Core Design announced the sequel, I anticipated that they would improve upon Fighting Force’s brawling techniques. But instead, it’s something entirely different – an action game along the lines of the company’s previous Tomb Raider line. And not entirely in a good way.
You play Hawk, one of the characters from the first Force. He’s on a mission to see what’s happening within the Knockmiche Corporation, who are doing nasty things with cloning apparently. But the story never really takes off, and lacks captivation to keep you involved.
There are exploratory themes here, and some brawling here and there. But it just doesn’t have that much to hold your attention. The array of weapons is pretty nice, but the way they handle is, for the most part, one-note. It’s too hodge-podge for its own good.
Again, the emulation is handled very well, a nice step up from the Dreamcast edition. But only a certain few are likely to check it out, if only to see what Core Design has done with the concept.
The $20 price tag is very acceptable, but it would’ve been nice to have more extras, like what Digital Eclipse does with its games. Video interviews could’ve talked about the creative process – or, better yet, the decision to shift gears with the sequel. As it stands, it’s a bit light.
Is Fighting Force For You? Well…
What weight you get from Fighting Force Collection depends on your love for the original games. If you cared for either release, by all means, get this well-executed compilation, it treats them with grace. But neither game, to me anyway, stand the test of time enough.
A few more extras and options – or maybe even the ability to play as new characters – would’ve gone a long way here. As it stands, this one-two punch isn’t the Force to be reckoned with.
GAMERHUB RATING: 2.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Overload PR for providing us with a review code! Fighting Force Collection is available now for PlayStation,Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
Need more retro brawlers in your life? Check out our review of Beat ‘Em Up Collection!
