The TakeOver (Switch) Review
Release Date: June 4, 2020
Publisher/Developer: Antonios Pelekanos/Pelikan13
Platform: Nintendo Switch (reviewed), Steam, coming soon to PS4
Price: $19.99
My Switch has been getting plenty of classic arcade beat-em-up action lately. Not that I’d complain; I grew up in the arcades walking left-to-right and pummeling anything that moves. Bouncing between Streets of Rage 4 and my ever-favorite Sunset Riders, the Switch has been a pocket nostalgia trip. The TakeOver’s release reminds me of Mighty No. 9 in how it was a spiritual successor to a long dead franchise when that franchise rose from the grave. Unlike Mighty No. 9, however, The TakeOver emulates the classic Streets of Rage formula and adds it’s own flair that will delight anyone used to popping in one more quarter for that next chance.
The TakeOver feels like it could have been released back then if it weren’t for some of the slick modern amenities added. Criminals are taking over the city, and for some unknown reason they kidnap a small girl. Her adoptive parents and their best friend have no choice but to rage through the streets and finally fight the abductor to save the day. These bad dudes (and dudette) have plenty of moves at their disposal and enough variety in their moves to make for a different gameplay experience no matter who you pick. Ethan’s all around, Megan is quick with long range kicks, and Connor is the powerhouse combo of wrestling moves and high-power weaponry. I love how someone finally brings a gun to these fights: each character does have a firearm but ammo is in very short supply. It’s best used for when you’re in a jam there appears no way out of. There are also a variety of specials. Outside of basic jumps and kicks, you have a special button for a unique attack, a “super” meter that will boost your attack and defense when full, and another special that has missiles rain down on your enemies.
The TakeOver has a very satisfying combo system. You can blunt force your way through a lot of the game, but true mastery comes with learning crowd control and combos. You’re vulnerable when you’re mid attack animation, but certain moves (or throwing enemies into others) will open up the field, allowing you to dial in a series of unstoppable punches and kicks that can take out a whole enemy life bar. There are a variety of enemies with their unique attack patterns to memorize and weigh odds as varying combinations come at you. For the most part it is balanced, but I have one enemy I’d have a complaint about it’d be “Breaker.” All have unique names that describe their attack or how to defeat them. Breaker has an amazing ability to block, only able to be hit when you break his predictable c-c-c-combo (sorry, I had to). While manageable, starting a battle with Breaker in the crowd pretty much guarantees you’ll take everyone else out first and then have to muscle through his pattern. It’s not impossible, it just gets old when every crew with him in it ends up with him alive and you patiently waiting for the opening in his combo.
Graphics and music are a unique blend of modern and classic. The environments are fully 3D rendered, but I feel like the characters themselves are designed and behave like they belong in Killer Instinct. The shadow effects and movement design evoke a very 90’s vibe whilst still being modern. While I’ve read that other reviewers think the varying styles of art through the game (cutscene, in game, or even title screen) are odd, I enjoy the presentation. Everything is slick, from the comic book storyboards to the continue screen. It has just enough spin on the storyline to make it fresh: while I won’t spoil anything, let’s just say it’s not “save the President’s daughter” or whatever.
I appreciate how the TakeOver handles progression. You’re free to continue as you see fit, but have to start at a particular checkpoint. Once you’ve cleared an area, you can flat-out start from that checkpoint. There are tons of levels, and not even the most adept players are going to “one credit” this beast. Interspersed are a couple of bonus levels, driving and flying, that make me feel that the developer should take a crack at some other classic arcade genres.
Of course, any brawler is better in multiplayer, and you can take to the streets with a friend in co-op gameplay. There’s no online option. While I prefer couch co-op, I know that this is something that will be sorely missed by a lot of players. I also note that there is no mid-level continue for anyone who dies. You start the game with three lives, and if you lose all three the other player is solo until the scene change, where you return with one life and they still have whatever they had left. So, let’s say you die early, your friend fights his way through while you wait, then he beats the level with a sliver of health. Next level, you’re back, one life, your friend has his sliver, gets hit, then he’s waiting. Two equal players will be able to watch each other’s backs and have fun, but any imbalance risks throwing off the simultaneous enjoyment. It is great, however, to see another game fully utilize the Joy-Con splitting for instantaneous multiplayer.
The TakeOver may have come out right as Streets of Rage 4 aimed to reclaim it’s throne. Both are amazing games and can rule together, and The TakeOver really carves out it’s own niche with plenty of smart modern design choices. I look forward to more games from Pelikan13, as I can see the developer has a heart for classic arcade action.
Pros:
-Modern take on the brawler genre
-Someone’s finally smart enough to bring a gun to a fist fight
-Excellent presentation and a fresh story for the genre
-Couch co-op
-Awesome bonus levels
-Deep combo system
Cons:
-I’d prefer a controller customization
-Couch co-op ONLY
-Lopsided 2p gameplay with no mid level continuing
-Breaker
Special thanks to Antonios Pelekanos/Pelikan13 for providing a code for review!