Beat ‘Em Up Archives - Game Review
5Beat ‘Em Up Archives - Game Review
Hello everyone, and welcome back to your favorite channel, the Veteran Game! Today, we're going on a journey back to the classic era of brawling games, thanks to Beat 'Em Up Archives from QUByte Interactive. Available on PlayStation 4, this collection includes two vintage titles from the '90s: Iron Commando and Legend, both originally crafted by French studio Arcade Zone.
Just a bit of trivia to set the stage: Legend was first released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, also known as SNES, in 1994, and Iron Commando was initially planned for a 1995 release, but the Western plans got scrapped, limiting the game to a Japanese release on the Super Famicom in early '95.
Now, if you've grown up on a diet of CAPCOM's revered beat 'em up arcade classics, you're in for a nostalgic treat with both Iron Commando and Legend. These games will evoke a sense of familiarity, although you might not have played them before.
Legend whisks you off into a medieval setting where you'll either play as Kaar or Igor, venturing through the Kingdom of Sellech. Their mission? To defeat the malevolent King Clovis, who's trying to harness the mighty essence of the trapped Beldor, a wicked despot from the past.
Meanwhile, Iron Commando gives you a taste of a modern-era beat 'em up as you embody either the soldier Jake or martial arts master Chang Li. The quest? To thwart the sinister G.H.O.S.T., who has nefariously captured a radioactive meteorite. Across 10 levels, you'll pummel enemies, ride a jeep, a motorcycle, and even a mine cart, all while striving to dismantle the G.H.O.S.T. army.
These games faithfully replicate the old-school SNES/Super Famicom era beat 'em ups, with controls perfectly adapted for the PlayStation 4. In Legend, you can collect magic vials for devastating attacks, clearly a homage to Sega's Golden Axe series. Additionally, you can block attacks using the L1 and R1 buttons.
Iron Commando, on the other hand, takes advantage of its modern setting by introducing firearms for long-range attacks. Close combat allows you to grapple enemies, deliver extra damage, and even toss them around. And of course, don't forget to pick up healing items in both games to keep your health up.
The collection offers you the ability to tweak the visuals to your preference, even replicating that classic old-school CRT look. You can save your progress anytime using the save slots, and if you ever feel a need to remap your controls, there's an option to do that too.
For the trophy hunters out there, prepare to unlock a string of accolades on your way to adding a new Platinum trophy to your collection. With tasks ranging from accumulating a specific number of points to defeating bosses, these games are sure to keep you engaged.
Beat 'Em Up Archives presents us with two superb old-school 2D brawlers hailing from the golden era of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Famicom. It's particularly exciting to see Iron Commando make its Western debut on console, decades after its initial planned launch. Available for just $9.99 on PlayStation 4, this collection is a delightful blast from the past for any beat 'em up fan.
Well, that's all we have for today, folks! Tune in to the Veteran Game channel for more exciting game reviews and updates from the world of gaming. As always, keep on gaming and continue exploring the wonderful worlds that our beloved video games offer. Until next time, happy gaming, everyone!