Summary
- Release Year: 2000
- Genres: Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up
- Platforms: N-Gage, PlayStation
- Developers: Gremlin Interactive, Naps Team
- Publishers: Atari Interactive, Infogrames, Interplay
Gekido (2000): A Unique and Stylish Beat ‘Em Up
Released in 2000 for the PlayStation, Gekido (known as Gekido: Urban Fighters in Europe) is a side-scrolling beat ’em up that stands out from the crowd with its unique art style, fast-paced combat, and eclectic soundtrack.
A Vibrant and Colorful World
One of the first things that strikes players about Gekido is its vibrant and colorful art style. The game’s characters and backgrounds are rendered in a cel-shaded style that gives them a unique and comic book-like appearance. This art style helps to create a sense of atmosphere and immersion, and it also makes the game’s action sequences visually striking.
Fast-Paced and Fluid Combat
Gekido’s combat system is fast-paced and fluid, with a variety of attacks and combos that players can use to defeat their enemies. The game’s controls are simple and responsive, and players can quickly learn to string together devastating combos. Gekido also features a unique “rage” system that allows players to power up their attacks and unleash special moves.
A Diverse Cast of Characters
Gekido features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique fighting styles and abilities. Players can choose to play as Kintaro, a young martial artist seeking revenge for his father’s death; Mako, a female ninja with a mysterious past; or Go, a giant wrestler with superhuman strength. Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses, and players must learn to use them effectively to succeed.
A Challenge for Beat ‘Em Up Fans
Gekido is a challenging game, even for experienced beat ’em up fans. The game’s enemies are tough, and players must use all of their skills and abilities to defeat them. The game also features a number of challenging boss fights, each of which requires a unique strategy to defeat.
An Eclectic Soundtrack
Gekido’s soundtrack is one of the most eclectic and memorable in the beat ’em up genre. The game features a mix of hip-hop, rock, and electronic music, all of which helps to create a unique and energetic atmosphere. The game’s soundtrack was composed by Fatboy Slim and Apartment 26, and it features a number of catchy and memorable tracks.
A Unique and Memorable Beat ‘Em Up
Overall, Gekido is a unique and memorable beat ’em up that offers a lot of replayability. The game’s vibrant art style, fast-paced combat, diverse cast of characters, and eclectic soundtrack all come together to create a truly special experience. If you’re a fan of beat ’em ups, then you owe it to yourself to check out Gekido.
The Legacy of Gekido
Gekido was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it has since become a cult classic among beat ’em up fans. The game has been praised for its unique art style, fast-paced combat, and eclectic soundtrack. Gekido has also been cited as an influence on a number of other beat ’em ups, including the popular Xbox game Fight Night Round 4.
In 2004, a sequel to Gekido was released for the Game Boy Advance, titled Gekido Advance: Kintaro’s Revenge. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it featured many of the same characters and gameplay elements as the original game.
In 2023, a second sequel to Gekido was announced, titled Gekido: The Dark Angel. The game is scheduled for release in 2024, and it is being developed by Naps Team, the same team that developed the original game. Gekido: The Dark Angel is said to feature all-new characters, stages, and gameplay mechanics.
Conclusion
Gekido is a unique and memorable beat ’em up that offers a lot of replayability. The game’s vibrant art style, fast-paced combat, diverse cast of characters, and eclectic soundtrack all come together to create a truly special
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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