#beat-em-up

[linuxgamenews]

Badass Brawlers Game Bundle: Punch Your Way Through

Badass Brawlers game bundle is a high-energy collection of action-packed beat-’em-up title for Linux, Steam Deck, Mac, and Windows PC. Thanks to the Humble Bundle crew for bringing us another epic deal. Which you can find as a pay what you want bundle.

Alright, gamers — strap in, because this is not just another sale. This is a full-throttle, punch-throwing, boss-busting Badass Brawlers game bundle. It's also stacked with explosive titles that’ll light up your screen whether you're on Linux or Steam Deck.

We’re talking Double Dragon Neon, River City Girls 2, Dawn of the Monsters… and more! That’s right — this isn’t some dusty pile of indie leftovers. This is a curated collection of the hardest-hitting, side-scrolling, beat-’em-up action-packed titles out there. It's retro chaos meets modern polish, perfect for anyone who remembers popping tokens into arcade machines and yelling at their screen when they got juggled in the corner.

And here’s the kicker: You can grab the whole Badass Brawlers game bundle for as little as $6 USD. Doing so for a lineup worth $179 USD. That’s like trading a cheap lunch for dozens of hours of high-octane, pixel-pounding glory on Linux.

Whether you're suplexing skyscraper-sized monsters in Dawn of the Monsters or throwing down in the slick, stylish streets of River City Girls 2, this bundle delivers the goods. It’s got that throwback flavor we love, but with the kind of performance and polish that feels right at home on our modern PCs — and yes, that means Proton support too!

Badass Brawlers game bundle Details:

3 Item Bundle for $6 USD

Final Vendetta

Full Metal Furies

Double Dragon Neon (Steam Deck Verified)

5 Item Bundle Pay at least $10 USD

River City Girls (via ProtonDB)

Young Souls (Steam Deck Verified via ProtonDB)

Entire 7 Item Bundle Pay $16 USD for these 7 items

River City Girls 2 (via ProtonDB)

Dawn of the Monsters (via ProtonDB)

Charity and the Badass Brawlers game bundle

And because this is Humble Bundle, there’s more than just solid releases on the table — there's heart. A slice of your purchase goes to SpecialEffect, an amazing charity helping people with physical disabilities play too. So while you're laying waste to hordes of enemies, you're also doing real good in the world. That’s what we call a flawless victory.

Still not convinced? You can choose your price. Pay the minimum and walk away a hero — or bump up your contribution, unlock more titles, and show the world you're not just a brawler, but a generous one too.

So what are you waiting for? Fire up Steam, rally your friends, and get ready to throw hands in this collection of action-packed beat-’em-up title. The Badass Brawlers game bundle is only here until Wednesday, June 18, 2025 — you don’t want to miss this pay what you want bundle.

[iloveabunchofgames]

#JakeReviewsItch

An American Werewolf in LA

by PlayMedusa

Price (US): $1

Included In: Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality, Bundle for Ukraine, Indie Bundle for Abortion Funds

Genre: Action

Pitch: An old-school beat-them-up inspired by motion pictures of the 1980s. Dodge, dash, and punch until the timer runs out or you die trying.

My expectations: If you're going to make '80s-nostalgia-sploitation, go all the way. I have as much affinity for that decade's pop culture as the next person, I suppose. What stands out most in the screenshots is all the movie poster in the background. I hope the references go a little deeper than "here is the famous poster from a famous movie." And I could always do with a little less reverence toward Michael Jackson, Bill Murray, and the Landis family. Your nostalgia shouldn't make me go, "Huh, relatively, the Republican governor isn't so bad."

Review:

Remember when Herschel Walker said, “Vampires are some cool people,” before telling us that werewolves are even cooler? That wasn’t just politics. He cited sources. A werewolf can kill a vampire. There’s evidence a werewolf can surf on a car and is permitted to participate in high school athletics (unless the werewolf’s trans; that would be unfair, dangerous, and difficult to explain to my children).

An American Werewolf In LA takes liberties with these creatures. Werewolf movement is herky-jerky, actions are delayed, and the werewolf’s range is laughable. There’s this huge Teen Wolf sprite, with massive jaws and burly arms, but he can’t connect a hit without practically standing on his target.

Punches have a long wind-up, but the stiff animation doesn’t sell the power, especially when the wolf’s jacket blends into the background. Long, slow combos continue to play out after enemies are defeated, with no apparent way to cancel them.

Blocking is more effective than dodging, but since they’re both the same button, it’s difficult. Attempts to turn and block typically result in a dash straight into an oncoming attack or a block without turning. Fighting feels bad, and there’s nothing to this game except fighting, sooooooo…

+ This isn't a typical brawler, where the goal is to defeat every enemy and then progress to the next wave. Instead, the objective is to survive long enough to run out the clock. I like that. + Big, bold sprites that never stop bobbing up and down. I like them. + I gave up on the second level, but assuming they continue to add new enemy types and environmental obstacles to each stage, you can expect a decent amount of variety and challenge along the road to L.A. + A limited set of mechanics that are flexible enough for both fast, masterful action and slow, careful strategy.

– Fighting feels bad, and it's all fighting. – Stiff animations. Actions are difficult to read. – Movement speed, action speed, jump height, button mapping, animation length, input buffer, projectile speed, hit-detection, character size, character shape, sprite/background contrast—these are boring nerd things that I don't think about when they're all in tune with one another. Fundamentally, mathematically, An American Werewolf In LA disagrees with itself. – I'm putting a lot of blame on the visuals, but the audio doesn't sell the action or provide adequate feedback, either. The music is what someone thinks rockin', arcade-brawler music is, but it is not.

🧡🧡🤍🤍🤍 Bottom Line: There's a good chance you're looking at clips of An American Werewolf In LA, and thinking, "Well, of course Jake doesn't like it. He's bad at it!" You're right. I am bad at this game, but not this genre. Give me a brawler with something to offer, and I'll learn to overcome every quirk. Give me a confused jumble of ill-fitting pieces and '80s nostalgia, and I'll recommend you trust me when I say it feels worse than it looks.

#JakeReviewsItch is a series of daily game reviews. You can learn more here. You can also browse past reviews...

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[rafawriter]

Going Live!

So I bought River City Girls 2. And I have to stream it, because reason and that reason is I want to kick some yakuza ass!  - https://www.twitch.tv/lessonslearned1

[lewisibarra1512]

Why did I made fan art dedicated to Jitsu Squad? Because the developers behind this hidden gem Tanuki Creative Studios paid me a visit: to experience a mind blowing, jaw dropping, eye popping, off the wall, well crafted, heart pounding beat-em-up with a killer soundtrack, stellar animation, intuitive controls, unique playstyle and many guest appearances.

And the best part? It kicks ass! ;)

[zippocreed501]

Altered Beast (1988)

[hardcore-gaming-101]

HG101 Presents: The Guide to Beat-Em-Ups: Vol. 1

Two covers available! Coming August 2021!

The covered games include:

Technos: Renegade/Kunio-kun / River City Double Dragon Shadow Force

Capcom: Final Fight Captain Commando Dynasty Wars / Warriors of Fate Alien vs. Predator Cadillacs and Dinosaurs King of Dragons Knights of the Round Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom & Shadow over Mystara The Punisher Armored Warriors / Powered Gear Battle Circuit

Konami: Crime Fighters Vendetta / Crime Fighters 2 Violent Storm Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Asterix Gaiapolis Metamorphic Force The Simpsons X-Men Batman Returns

Sega: Streets of Rage

Read more...

[hardcore-gaming-101]

Hakaiou: King of Crusher 

(WARNING: This review spoils the ending of Hakaiou: King of Crusher, as part of the overall thematic analysis. If you’d prefer to go into the game blind, avoid reading this review.)

Hakaiou: King of Crusher is a fascinating game. On the surface, it seems very much like a typical example of bakage: a competently designed game that’s more memorable for its bizarre concept and imagery. You play as a salaryman who gets bitten by a bug, becomes consumed with rage, and rampages through Tokyo and New York as he gradually transforms into a Godzilla-styled monster. Its premise is hilarious, but the execution is only so-so. However, on further inspection, it’s possible to view it as a game where all its ideas, strengths and flaws are in the name of exploring a singular theme: the folly of trying to find true, selfish freedom in life.

Read more...

[greenpenchronicles]

K-O Lane