Fighting Force (PS1) Playthrough
3Playthrough of Eidos Interactive's 1997 beat 'em up for the PlayStation, Fighting Force.
Eidos Interactive’s Fighting Force, released in 1997 for the PlayStation, is a 3D beat ’em up that modernizes the classic brawler formula for a new generation. Players take control of one of four characters—Hawk, Mace, Smasher, or Alana—each with distinct fighting styles, as they battle their way through a crime-infested city to thwart the plans of the villainous Dr. Zeng. Drawing inspiration from arcade classics like Streets of Rage and Final Fight, Fighting Force brings cooperative multiplayer and environmental interaction into a fully 3D world.
Gameplay revolves around moving through urban environments, fighting waves of enemies using punches, kicks, and special moves unique to each character. Players can pick up and wield a variety of objects as weapons, from pipes and bats to chairs and soda cans, adding a layer of improvisation to combat. Destructible environments allow for additional interaction, such as breaking car windows or vending machines for health pickups and weapons. The game features branching paths, offering some replayability by letting players choose different routes through the story.
Visually, Fighting Force takes advantage of the PlayStation’s 3D capabilities, with detailed character models and textured environments that capture the gritty urban setting. Each stage is filled with dynamic elements, like collapsing scaffolding or exploding barrels, adding a sense of chaos to the action. The soundtrack features energetic tracks that match the intensity of combat, while the sound effects, including the crunch of fists and the clatter of thrown objects, enhance the immersive feel.
Although Fighting Force received praise for its transition to 3D and its cooperative gameplay, it was also criticized for its repetitive mechanics and lack of depth compared to earlier beat ’em ups. Enemy AI can feel predictable, and the combat, while satisfying in short bursts, lacks the complexity of more advanced action games. Despite its flaws, Fighting Force remains a nostalgic title for many players, serving as a bridge between the classic brawler era and the evolving 3D action genre of the late 1990s.