"Finally...a worthy beat 'em up game"

Ah, the classic "beat'em ups"...where you and perhaps a friend would spend otherwise unproductive hours of playing a fearsome and unattractive hero and beating the crap out of hordes of merciless adversaries whose big boss is out to do something evil. If you're like me, longing for nostalgia and more importantly fierce fist-flying action, than Final Fight: Streetwise (hereafter referred to FF:S so I can save myself typing some) won't disappoint...to a degree.

As you may have noticed, the whole Playstation generation has failed miserably at spewing out a fun action-packed fist fighter. We got the craptacular and shoddily done Fighting Force on the PS1, and the decent but otherwise un-fun Warriors game on the PS2. Not surprisingly, Capcom doesn't fail to please. This M-rated, more hardcore game was created by Capcom of America's independent Studio 8, a sub-faction that was sadly disbanded soon after the release of this game for undisclosed reasons. Anyhow, enough of my rambling, let's get it on.

Story: 7/10
Not bad, but not good, either. It's more or less a darker sequel to the original Final Fight. In the original (don't worry, I'm not spoiling anything--the backstory isn't even mentioned), street fighters Cody, Guy and the muscular Mayor Haggar brought down the dastardly Mad Gear crime syndicate in metro City. Now, a decade later, former hero Cody is down in the dumps and longs to fight again. When he is kidnapped by a mysterious mobster, his street-smart, arrogant younger brother Kyle goes out to rescue him, uncovering a horrific drug shipment that could spell doom not only for Metro City, but the entire nation as well. It's not very complex, but it's entertaining to say the least. To be honest, it's a helluvalot darker than the old school fighters, as it takes a more realistic approach to some of the dregs of society, such as drug dealers and hookers on every corner.

Graphics: 10/10
I'm not going to lie; whenever Capcom pulls out a movie-like action game (i.e. Onimusha, Shadow of Rome, Resident Evil, etc), the graphics are done top-notch. Plus, considering this was done by and for America, the dubbing is excellent and on par with what the characters say.

Gameplay: 10/10
There isn't much to say here. You take on the role of Kyle Travers and must fight your way through streets of hoodlums, criminals and thieves, as you uncover clues as to Cody's whereabouts and what the big league badguys are up to. Unlike most conventional fighting games, this game takes up a new direction: role-playing. Kyle isn't always fighting. He's exploring the city, acquiring new moves at local gyms, helping the local people out, and occasionally busting the heads of some gang members who are out for blood. The challenge comes from the story segments, mainly.
Kyle uses a wide-arsenal of martial arts moves that he can acquire from local gyms to put the pain on his foes. He can pick up weapons like bats, guns and even katanas to do more harm to the thugs who wish to do the same to him. Kyle has but one life bar, unfortunately, but by acquiring food and money from dead enemies, he can survive. The backgrounds are also rather interactive, as Kyle can destroy trashcans, mailboxes, windows, etc. The gameplay mechanics aren't complex at all.
There's also an unlockable two-player mode, where two players can join forces to take on Metro City's worst criminal gangs. This is the nostalgic shining point of the game. With no story and just a fight to the bitter end through various locales, the 2P co-op mode alone makes it well worth the playthrough.

Sound: 5/10
Uh-oh...the music here needs work. It mostly consists of tunes and songs from real-life rap and rock artists. Now, this part may be half-biased on my part, because I've never been a fan of rap and the little rock music they do put in I don't happen to care for, either. However, story elements carry their own unique tune and ultimately, the music--no matter what's playing--is perfect for the dark atmosphere surrounding this game.

Replayability
Fun factor means everything. Plus, the game is rather short, making it excellent for replay value, even if you need to kill time. There are several unlockable aspects, including music videos, hidden characters in the 2P Mode, and the original arcade version of Final Fight 1.

Biggest Downfall:
Here it comes, the negative aspects area...which tragically outweigh the good aspects (not that this game is any less fun)! For one, this game is short, as it maonly focuses on the Story Mode. Also, it sort of lacks in the challenge department. After your first playthrough, you may find that this game will seem strikingly easier than before. Speaking of short, the 2P mode is devilishly short, as two skilled players can beat it in less than an hour. In my opinion, that is what's most damning of all. Lastly, the unlockable arcade version of Final Fight 1 is absolutely horrid. Poor music, shoddy graphics and clunky play control make this unlockable not even worth it.

Rent or Buy?
Good luck finding this at a rental store. Due to lack of localization and Studio 8's fall, FF:S here was made in limited quantities. 'Sides, it's only around $15 in new condition. I suggest buying it anyway, if you're a fan of fist-fighting action games.

With all of those condemning aspects, you're probably wondering why I gave the game a score of 8/10. (Or maybe you're not, but I'm gonna explain it anyway). This game is fun. Right down to the basics, this game is highly enjoyable. Again, the dark atmosphere and grimy slums of the game take some getting used to, but the fun factor remains.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/28/06