Double Dragon Revive Reviews

Despite having a Double Dragon game release only a couple of years ago in Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons which did an admirable job of bringing some relevance back to the franchise, Arc System Works decided to just…make another one? If it was a sequel to the 2023 game I’d be a little more understanding but this is something wholly different, a revival supposedly. Not many – if any, outlets got review codes for this game before or at launch (or at all) which doesn’t generall...

Double Dragon Revive is a classic brought back to life, but that means many of the issues have returned as well.

A dull reboot of a legendary franchise, Double Dragon Revive mixes tedium with wonky movement, boring stages and annoying bosses for an ultimately unfulfilling experience.

Doube Dragon is back, and it looks better than ever. Good looks and more freedom when it comes to movement doesn't translate to a game that's more fun, however, with the combat of Double Dragon Revive feeling rather clunky. And so, while it isn't a bad game by any means, it's simply not as enjoyable to play as it should be.

Double Dragon Revive fails to deliver a much-needed shot of adrenaline for the Double Dragon series, falling flat in almost every regard. Only the most hardcore of genre fans will find anything to praise here, and all others should stay far away.

Though Streets of Rage 4 remains the bar to pass, Double Dragon Revive even feels markedly less satisfying than the excellent Double Dragon: Rise of the Dragons which was released a little over two years ago. That said, while Double Dragon Revive does implement some neat mechanics which would serve future games well, the lackluster 3D character models and dull worlds act to its ultimate detriment, resulting in plodding combat that rarely satisfies or compels. If this was intended to be a true revival of Double Dragon, then someone forgot to bring along the soul because what we’ve ended up with is a hollow facsimile of what Double Dragon should be, rather than an evolved celebration of everything we loved about it in the first place.

Double Dragon Revive isn’t the rebirth fans were hoping for. Its combat impresses with a variety of defensive and environmental mechanics that add real depth to each fight, but other elements drag the experience down. Sudden difficulty spikes create frustration, and the light platforming sections feel underdeveloped. The presentation also needs an overhaul as its uninspired visuals and soundtrack fail to capture the energy and attitude that once defined the franchise. There’s a solid foundation here, but it’ll take more than nostalgia and new mechanics to truly bring Double Dragon back to life.

Double Dragon Revive feels less like the miraculous resurrection its title might suggest and more like exhuming a shambling corpse.