Don't Lick Me Just Because I'm a Girl!　Review of the exhilarating girl battle action "Nekketsu Kuniokun Gaiden: River City Girls 2

A spin-off of the legendary "Kuniokun" action game series!　Hot-blooded and hardcore, but with a cute and pop-cute worldview!

River City Girls 2" (hereafter "River City Girls 2") is the second title in the "River City Girls" series, a spin-off of the popular belt-scrolling action game "Nekketsu Kuniokun" series that was created in 1986. The "Kuniokun" series took the NES by storm, and many gamers of the NES generation have probably played this game before. Even those who have not yet played the series probably know at least the name.

This title is a sequel to the previous title, "River City Girls," which has been powered up since its predecessor. Although the storyline is a continuation of the previous work, you will have no problem enjoying it even if you start playing from this work.

The most distinctive feature of the "River City Girls" series is that "Misako" and "Kyoko," two girl characters from the "Kuniokun" series, become the main characters and play a major role in the game. Misako is the girlfriend of Kunio, the main character of the "Kunio-kun" series, and Kyoko is the girlfriend of Riki, Kunio's favorite opponent. The main attraction of the "River City Girls" series is the exhilarating action in which players control this unique girl duo as they kick, punch, and knock down enemies one after another.

The "Kuniookun" series is known as a "hot-blooded hardcore" series, and as its name implies, it has a masculine and hardcore image. The overall tone of "River City Girls" is pop and cute, with comic-like character designs and brightly colored dotted stage graphics. Another minor point to note is that the in-game UI has a modern pop design inspired by smartphones and social networking services.

The main characters are Misako and Kyoko, the strongest Kawaii girl duo!　In addition, "Kunio" and "Riki" are also available!

In the previous "River City Girls," Kunio and Riki were kidnapped by someone and their girlfriends Misako and Kyoko went on an adventure to rescue them, but in "River City Girls 2," the story begins anew with a sequel. In order to get Kunio Riki back, the two inadvertently (?) YAKUZA, who had beaten them to a pulp, has started to take revenge.

The teacher becomes YAKUZA, the two are suddenly expelled from school, and things go somewhat strange in River City, where they live, in an unpredictable story filled with the crazy and comical aspects typical of the "Kuniokun" series.

Next, let us introduce the characters that make up the story.

First, we have Misako, one of the main characters. She is Kuni'o's girlfriend, and although she likes cute things, she hates to act like a girl, so she tends to be aggressive in her emotional expressions. Her many strong punching techniques, which she inherited from Kunio, and her comical interplay with the naturalistic Kyouko, who is in charge of the comic relief, are very appealing.

Kyoko, the other main character, is a trendy girlfriend with a ponytail. Kyouko, who loves all things cute, has loved Misako since she was a child, and often annoys and angers her with her natural comments. In battle, Kyoko uses her lightness to her advantage and her kick attacks to knock down her enemies with a flourish. In both battles and story conversations, Misako's character has a different charm from that of her predecessors.

Another important point is that Kunio and Riki are playable characters from the beginning of the game, whereas in the previous game they were only available after the game was cleared. Putting aside the simple question of "If Kunio and Riki can be used, then this is no longer a "hot-blooded hardcore Kuniokun Gaiden" but a "main story" (......), the fact that you can control Kunio, a righteous delinquent who hates crookedness, and Riki, Kunio's cool, caring rival is a great advantage. Fans of the "Kunio-kun" series of old will be excited to be able to control Kunio, the righteous delinquent who hates to bend, and Riki, Kunio's cool and caring rival.

One point that should be mentioned about the characters is that all characters are fully voiced. The previous title, "River City Girls," was voiced only in English, but in this title, the long-awaited Japanese voices have been implemented, and the roles of Misako and Kyouko are played by gorgeous voice actors, including Honoka Kuroki as Misako and Sumire Moroboshi as Kyouko. The voices that populate the event and battle scenes are sure to enhance your immersion in the world of "River City Girls 2".

Connect your combos and defeat your enemies!　The exhilarating action and the RPG elements will keep you hooked!

Now, let's take a look at the battle system.

This is a belt-scrolling action game in which players move back and forth across a vast map, defeating enemies to earn experience and money, and progressing through the story. The game uses a level-based system in which characters gain experience to a certain level and learn new skills.

Another RPG-like aspect of the game is the ability to purchase recovery items and accessories using money earned from defeating enemies. In particular, accessories have unique effects that can influence the outcome of a battle, and up to two accessories can be worn. In addition, in this title, players can learn new attack techniques by spending money in the "Okugi Dojo". This system of purchasing techniques with money is quite unique, even when viewed from the perspective of an RPG. The author felt that one of the interesting aspects of this game is that not only experience, but also money, is tied to strength.

The basic battle commands include "Normal Attack," "Heavy Attack," "SP Attack," and "Guard," in addition to jump and dash moves. The key to the battle strategy is to use the normal attack, which has few gaps and can be connected to a combo attack with a series of hits, and the heavy attack, which can inflict heavy damage with a heavy blow, depending on the situation. The key to success is to guard against attacks, use normal attacks to stun the enemy, and then use heavy attacks to down the enemy, and then use the enemy's downed body to attack further. It is also important to use the SP gauge at the right moment to unleash special moves and SP attacks to finish off the opponent in one fell swoop. The feeling of playing this game is similar to that of a fighting game, and you can't help but get your hands sweaty.

A new element in this title is the "lift-off combo. This is an attack in which the player presses the jump button during a combo to send the enemy flying into the air. Since aerial combos are less likely to be blocked by the enemy and can do a lot of damage, you will want to be aggressive in aiming for them. With the introduction of the "lift-off combo," battles are now not only left and right, but also up and down, making them even more intense.

Weapon attacks are also an essential element of the battles in this title. Players can pick up various items found in the field, such as volleyballs, nail bats, trash cans, bicycles, and benches, and use them as weapons to attack. It is interesting to note that each weapon has a different effect and power, such as a baseball bat that can knock an enemy off a large target, or a trash can or bench that can inflict massive damage. The addition of weapons to the fighting-game style battles, where moves and combos are important, makes for a challenging and unpredictable melee experience, which is the real appeal of this title.

Some enemies will beg for your life just before they are defeated, and by pressing a specific button, you can "recruit" them and make them your helpers. The helpers can be called if the helper gauge is full and will perform assisted attacks. There are also bouncers that can be hired for a fee, and although they cost money, they provide support with powerful attacks. Like the weapons, this helper system is a unique element that adds to the "crazy" nature of the battles in this title.

The basic flow of the game is to advance the story by completing the main quests presented to you, but there are also many subquests that are different from the main story of the game. Although it is possible to proceed without clearing subquests, it is also a good idea to actively take a side trip when you get stuck in the game, as clearing subquests will reward you with experience, money, accessories, and other rewards useful for progression. Some of the subquests are in the form of mini-games that differ from regular battles, so I got the impression that they add a nice touch to the game.

Here's the best part!　My personal recommendation for "Nekketsu Hard School Kuniokun Gaiden: River City Girls 2

Now, let me introduce some of my personal highlights of "River City Girls 2".

1、Multiplayer is a real hoot!

One of the best parts of the "Kuniookun" series is that "everyone can play together," and this "River City Girls 2" inherits that "Kuniookun-ism" and supports multiplayer. The game can be played by up to four players offline and up to two players online, making it a party game that can be enjoyed by a large group of people. This will allow players to relive the "those days" of playing with siblings and friends, clutching an NES controller.

Another element that makes multiplayer play even more exciting (?) is the "friendly fire" feature, which allows players to fight with each other. One element that makes multiplayer even more exciting (?) is "friendly fire. As the name suggests, this is a so-called "friendly fire" option in which players are damaged by their allies' attacks. For pure cooperative play, it is best to turn it off, but it is also fun to turn it on and enjoy the "Kuniookun"-style brawling with fistfights and kicking each other. However, no matter how heated the game gets, be sure to keep the fighting to the game itself!

2. The surprisingly high quality of the slimy dots and comic-style cutscenes!

As a spin-off of the "Kuniokun" series, one of the most popular series on the Famicom (NES), the dot pictures in this game are remarkable. The characters are so well-drawn that they move smoothly. The high quality dot graphics, which have a retro game taste but also feel new, are well worth a look.

Speaking of graphics, the comic-like cutscenes are also indispensable to this game. These cutscenes are interspersed throughout the game's storyline, and they add to the excitement of the story with cute and cool visuals reminiscent of American comic books. In addition to the beautiful dot pictures with a retro game taste, this comic-style story presentation is also a must-see.

The unique worldview and exhilarating action of "Nekketsu Kuniokun Gaiden: River City Girls 2" is a must-see!

So, that's our review of "Nekketsu Kuniokun Gaiden: River City Girls 2.

River City Girls 2" is a one-of-a-kind game that combines two cute main characters, Misako and Kyouko, with a hardcore yet pop-oriented worldview, exhilarating action elements, and RPG-style growth elements. This title is a must-play for fans of the Kuniokun series, as well as for those who have never touched the series before.