Genres: Action game, Fighting game
Developer: DCF Studios Ltda – ME
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S
Publisher: DCF Studios Ltda – ME
Initial release date: September 4, 2024
Side scrolling beat ’em ups appear to show a significant resemblance to buses – you don’t see any for a long time, and then two appear at the same moment. Following up from The Karate Kid: Street Rumble, we take a close look at Bunny Battle Nemesis from DCF Studios.
Aside from the genre, the two games couldn’t be more different, and, curiously, the game with bunnies is the more grim and horrific. But, is it any good?
Bunny Battles Nemesis – Gory!
Normally, a marginal effort is made to fit a narrative into this type of game, and Bunny Battle Nemesis has shown to be no exception. We must struggle to defend our world from a furious demigod and her mercenary army. So, can our motley crew of characters stand up to the flood of evil that is going to lap around their ankles? That is entirely up to you and your incredibly rapid fingers.
The presentation of the game is a more intriguing prospect, as there is certainly some of that going on. First and foremost, the characters we have to choose from are somewhat bizarre, ranging from an athletic woman wielding a stick to a lovely but psychotic bunny to a big tank-style rabbit general. The foes are more homogeneous, resembling “blokes in a suit of armour”; some large, some small, but almost always same. A wonderful touch is that as new foes are presented, a little cutscene appears, adding tension as you try to figure out how they’ll battle.
Furthermore, the levels are of reasonable size, scrolling from left to right as is customary in these games; the stages are then divided into numerous encounters. These range from a slew of foes rushing in to sections where you must break as many bunny totems as possible, all the way to the eventual boss fight at the end of each stage. The bosses are also a diverse group, and they take a lot of punishment before being defeated.
Various characters
There’s also a lot of audio going on, largely in the form of combat sound effects, as you would expect. The music is hardly audible, but the thumps and thwacks are right in your face, and the game is all the better for it. Overall, the display works well, but there is one drawback: Bunny Battle Nemesis makes determining depth difficult, so you’ll frequently be moving about the screen, trying to discover the specific plane the opponents are on. Thankfully, this becomes simpler with practice.
When you first start playing, Bunny Battle Nemesis is just what you’d expect: you’ll roam from left to right, slap some enemies, and then repeat. And it can get a little repetitive after a while, however the various stages serve to break up the action. One thing to highlight right away is the multiplayer features, and if you can get three like-minded friends and sit around with a controller each, possibly with a small amount of social lubricant added in, the enjoyment is quadrupled.
Each character has a unique set of attacks, all based on the same set of buttons. However, the fighting has some amazing RPG-lite features. As you complete each stage, you are rewarded with in-game cash, which I swear is blood drops. Before moving on to the next stage, you can use this currency to upgrade some of the attacks, such as the basic combo attack (which I found myself utilizing 9 out of 10 times), the heavy attack, or even each character’s special attack. Keeping the power of your strikes increasing as the levels rise keeps you in the fight; otherwise, you’ll fall behind in the arms race.
Quite accomplished.
So, in conclusion, Bunny Battle Nemesis is a fairly good side scrolling beat ’em up. If you have friends to play with, this is a no-brainer because there is so much devastation. However, it’s also enjoyable as a lone player because the game keeps things interesting. This game has a variety of characters to play as and study, so it will keep you busy.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 78%
Controls: 80%
Aesthetics: 82%
Content: 76%
Accessibility: 79%
Value: 77%
Overall: 78%
GOOD
Summary: “Bunny Battle Nemesis” transports players to a fanciful environment where cute bunnies face off against diverse monsters. The game combines action and strategy, creating an enjoyable experience that can be played alone or with companions. With responsive controls and engaging visuals, it embodies the theme’s fun spirit. However, some players may find the substance lacking, as the levels can become repetitive after a while. While there is space for development in terms of depth and accessibility, “Bunny Battle Nemesis” is still a fun and lighthearted adventure suitable for casual gaming sessions.