Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance Preview

It seems like a good majority of upcoming games are going “street” and “gangsta” and having seen Capcom’s other street brawling game, Final Fight: Streetwise, you’d think they would stop there.  Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance was showcased prominently at Capcom’s booth and I have to say that this is looking like the best of the bunch so far.

Like the classic brawler Streets of Rage, Fists of Vengeance sees the streets overrun by thugs, gang members and crime lords.  You’ll choose from five different characters throughout the game, each with their own set of moves and abilities but the game story mode centers on one of street kingpin Zanetti’s street thugs he betrays in the beginning of the game.  Seeking revenge on the crime boss, you set off on a quest to destroy Zanetti’s crime syndicate the only way you know how . . . with your street fighting skills.

Okay, so it sounds like you’ll just be walking the streets beating any thug that looks at you funny but Fists of Vengeance adds an interesting twist to the gameplay.  Your character seeks out the four other character who fell victim to the same crime lord’s backstabbing ways and together all of you hit the streets fighting gangsters and even corrupt police officers gaining money (to purchase clothes for each of your characters) and a reputation (gain a name for yourself to intimidate other gangs).  But it doesn’t stop there; you can go up against other warring factions and recruit gang members into your fold to assist you.

Like I mentioned above, each of the five characters has his or her own fighting skills and abilities.  One of the characters, Gina, has a more graceful way of fighting but is able to pull off some throw-down moves martial arts-style.

The game also looks great already, with sharp, colorful and nicely detailed textures and characters with realistic expressions and movements.  The visual effects centered on the fights themselves, however, have that explosive flash of the Tekken games.  Yet the streets look great and the atmosphere is dead-on urbanized.

I like a good street fighting game and if the game continues on the same path it's currently taking then Capcom is looking at its next big hit.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope the game comes out on time later this year.

It’ll also be available on the Xbox.

For All E3 2005 Previews