Midnight Fight Express

This is another of my personal favorites in the beat em up genre. The beat em up genre just like any train building momentum just keeps getting better as it rolled on throughout the years. This game is another example showing you can still do more with a genre and that it still has plenty to offer.

The graphical presentation is solid, it's sort of French animation style as it's somewhat simplistic but strangely mainly on the character models. But I really like the environmental animation, which is the bigger star of the game, just the attention to detail creating this dark and gritty environment where there is danger all around and ahead of you and can hit you at every turn and step forward.

The story is decent, it's not exactly a new plotline as it's something we've all seen from plenty of beat 'em ups as well as action films. But still all done right as the story has some depth and intrigue that kept me engaged. There is an amnesia mystery, no surprise there but it's one done right as you go further you are learning more about the world, you're in and your own character and how he ties into things. Though of course like with every mystery you must take the info you find with a grain of salt as certain sources are by their nature untrustworthy and could be lying to cover up the truth and mislead you.

I really like also how this game has a bit of a sense of humor as it doesn't take itself too seriously certain gangs' mannerisms and titles along with things that happen are a little ridiculous and that's what makes it funny. Even like the game has plenty of subtle references from movies like "The Warriors", "Escape from New York", "Roadhouse" (three films that inspired this game). TV shows like "Sons of Anarchy; and plenty more you'll find as you play along.

But of course, like with all beat em up we're all here for the action and like any long delivery train delivers plenty of it. I really like the overhead and isomorphic perspective it uses which I think is something unique and not really utilized in the beat em up genre. It really was something refreshing as we got used to seeing these games a certain way. This perspective really helps in broadening the environment you're utilizing, giving it some depth, but still has that simplistic focus in bringing your character from point A to B.

The music is solid, not any tracks on my favorites list but still their good listening and they fit the dark gritty action of the game. But two of the other things that make the game stand out are in its level format and of course game play. The gameplay is like with any beat em up, I really love how the character moves as there is fluidity in his fighting as it's based on the moves of martial arts most notably Kempo. However, it's not just a mere button masher as you have some skills and techniques to acquire and utilize which keeps combat fresh and interesting. From parrying and the counterattack methods and the finishers to take out your opponent for good which I always find fun to use and just gives you that sense of accomplishment (in a dark sense but it is what it is).

Like with the game "River City Ransom" like there's a little of that action RPG element where you collect money to just mainly buy yourself some new wardrobe if you're tired of wearing the same outfit. You have a point system where after you clear a level you pick out one of the skills to acquire and build up the skill tree as you got on. Of course, the highlight is in utilizing the weapons throughout the game; it's much like with Jackie Chan films as you are throwing and kicking objects at opponents, or even pick up whatever is on the ground or disarm and use it. Knives, machetes, bats, shields, power tools, to even guns you name it but their deadly instruments are your best friend as they always help bring the odds down or plain destroy them.

I even like the level format; the game has a slightly long length because each of the stages you play are short. This is a good thing because it breaks down that fundamental problem most beat em ups have where it feels like we've stayed in both a stage and the game longer than desired. The short length of the stage keeps the pace of the game flowing, I also like that each of the stages are always something different to keep the game fresh but also enhance the feel that you're in an action film. Also don't let the length fool you as they're not that easy to get though as the difficulty can ramp up as you get further, and there are some parts of the game that might take a little practice to get through till you get it right.

This is a train you don't want to miss.

Rating: 3 and a half stars.