Aggressors of Dark Kombat Game Review

An Underappreciated Title On An Underappreciated Console
On a console replete with such hallowed franchises as Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown, and King of Fighters, it is easy to miss the lesser-known gems. One such gem is Alpha Denshi’s cult 1994 hit, Aggressors of Dark Kombat (ADK for short), known to our Japanese friends as Gan Gan (allegedly the onomatopoeic Japanese word for “a ringing bell or scolding voice”). Although on the surface, one might accuse ADK of being a garden variety 2D fighter on a platform already saturated with its ilk, a closer inspection reveals a refreshingly unique fighting experience well-worth the price of admission.

In a Klass By Itself
What sets Aggressors of Dark Kombat apart from its contemporaries is its unique approach to 2D fighting. Character’s stages consist of large planes, in which the fighters can move back, forth, as well as toward and away from the screen, and even pick up weapons, a la Final Fight. Hence, jumping is accomplished via button C, a format that requires getting used to. Moreover, ADK eschews the typical “win 2 rounds” format of one-on-one fighting, instead giving each fighter a 4-level stamina meter, and 120 seconds for one pugilist to emerge victorious. Having the matches uninterrupted by separate rounds adds a surprising degree of excitement and pressure to each match.

Turtles Need Not Apply
The thrill of each bout in ADK is compounded by a dynamic gameplay system that rewards the aggressor. Repeatedly attacking your opponent weakens their defensive ability, and makes them momentarily unable to evade grapple attacks. Thus, it is necessary to build momentum early in the fight. Each character also has a Crazy Meter, which builds the more the character attacks. Conversely, defending depletes the Crazy Meter. When one character’s Crazy Meter is full, the character can perform a Crazy Death Blow, which will easily destroy the weakened opponent. All of these features comprise a distinct approach to a genre of gaming typically accused of being formulaic.

“You Know What They Say About Fighters With Big Sprites…”
Graphically, ADK shines on the Neo Geo CD with large sprites, rivaling that of Art of Fighting 2. The large on-screen characters show a level of detail that is impressive for a 1994 fighter. From the various fighters’ bizarre Crazy Death Blows (including such stand-outs as the ‘Jealousy Bomber’ and the ‘Friendly Duo Consolidated Punch’), to the blood, sweat and vomit the combatants display after taking damage, the detailed graphics do an exemplary job of conveying the game’s equally violent and eccentric aesthetic style.

A Caveat to Potential Aggressors
Obviously, it would be remiss of me as a reviewer to not point out the title’s shortcomings. ADK’s aggressor-centric gameplay, though alluring, can be off-putting as the victor of a bout can sometimes be determined in as much time as it takes for the first character to launch an attack. Although reversals are possible, in many cases momentum stays with the character who first establishes it, leading to frustration on the part of the player on the receiving end. The lesson here is to make sure that it’s not YOU! On a different note, as this is a CD title, loading times are a consideration. With an initial load of 42 seconds, and subsequent loads ranging from 36 to 22 seconds per bout, ADK’s loading times are slightly on the high end, compared with contemporaneous titles. However, the loads are easier to take when one reflects on the 2D fighting bliss that awaits them.

Visit Where the Action is Go and the Kombat is Dark
Overall, ADK may not have the visual brilliance of Last Blade or the easily-recognizable characters of King of Fighters (barring the guest appearance of World Heroes’ Fuuma), but it possesses distinct, addictive gameplay that can more than hold its own with its more famous brethren. If you are a fan of offbeat 2D fighters, or are simply looking to try something different to play on your Neo Geo CD, I readily endorse it.

Review Score

  • Graphics – 8.0
  • Load Times – 7.0
  • Gameplay – 9.0
  • Overall – 8.0

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