long<\/em> way to go, we\u2019re gradually beginning to see publishers dig deep into their catalogues, and resurrect releases from yesteryear for a whole new audience to enjoy. The Rumble Fish 2 is a particularly deep cut: an uber-hardcore fighting game from 2005 originally designed by Dimps to take advantage of Sammy\u2019s Atomiswave arcade hardware.<\/p>\nUnlike its predecessor \u2013 which was ported to the PS2 in Japan only \u2013 this sequel has never received a console conversion, only adding to its overall mystique. And it\u2019s easy to see why it\u2019s so well-regarded: its flagship Smooth Model Animation system can look a little odd from a contemporary perspective, with each limb seemingly animated independently, but it makes for a creative combat palette that\u2019s a joy to explore. Two distinct power gauges \u2013 Offense and Defense \u2013 unlock a staggering array of depth, although the complex gestures mean you\u2019ll be better off playing with an arcade stick than a traditional d-pad.<\/p>\n
Considering its significant complexity, it\u2019s a surprise to see so much of the game\u2019s instructional information relegated to blink-and-you\u2019ll-miss-it loading screens; you\u2019re best off referring to one of the title\u2019s impressive unofficial Wikis if you intend to eke any real value out of the release\u2019s colourful cast of characters. And that\u2019s perhaps this version\u2019s biggest shortcoming: the package as a whole doesn\u2019t really justify its steep \u00a326.99\/$29.99 asking fee. Rollback netcode is available, but with no lobbies, ranking, or even rematch system, the online mulitplayer may as well not exist \u2013 and three of the characters, originally available by entering codes into the arcade cabinet\u2019s operator screen, are restricted to paid DLC.<\/p>\n
The core arcade fighting, with its persistent clothing damage and blend of vivid 2D and 3D visuals, makes it a compelling curio for fighting game faithfuls. But the package as a whole falls short of expectations, and will either need major updates or a chunky price drop moving forwards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n