Armed Fighter
Description
Armed Fighter is one of those titles that will stick in your mind not only because of nostalgia, but more importantly because of its innovative gameplay mechanics that were revolutionary in 1999. The game was developed by a small, then almost unknown studio called Vortex Entertainment, which quickly became known to gamers thanks to its bold approach and original concept of fighting games.
At first glance, Armed Fighter looks like a standard fighting game of its time. We have a diverse range of fighters, each armed with a unique weapon that matches their fighting style and personality. What sets this game apart from the competition, however, is the sophisticated combat system combined with an interactive environment. Each level contains various interactive elements such as traps, destructible objects and environmental obstacles that you can use to guide your tactics during combat.
The game's graphics are remarkable by the standards of the PlayStation's capabilities at the time. The details on the characters and environments reveal that the developers have taken care with every pixel. The textures, while looking a bit archaic today, were top-notch for their time, and the atmosphere of the arenas is accentuated by great lighting and dynamic effects. The game's soundtrack also deserves a mention; catchy tunes and authentic weapon sounds give the fights just the right touch.
Gameplay is another strong pillar of Armed Fighter. The combination of attacks is fluid and intuitive, with each character offering a unique approach to combat. The range of moves and strikes provides room for creative strategies, and the interaction with the environment makes fights varied and unpredictable. However, it should be pointed out that the game has a steep learning curve, which may discourage some players. Learning to effectively use all the possibilities the game offers takes time and patience.
Armed Fighter's story mode, while not the main attraction of the game, is still worth mentioning. Each character has their own short story, which is told between fights in the form of stylized cutscenes. The scenario is nothing groundbreaking, but it is enough to motivate the player to progress and unlock new characters and arenas.
Overall, Armed Fighter is one of those fresh gems from the PlayStation era that deserves a place in gamers' memories. Even after all these years, the game still has its charm and still manages to captivate the modern gamer thanks to its ingenious gameplay mechanics and excellent design. If you love fighting games and are looking for something original from the late 90s, Armed Fighter should definitely not be missing from your collection.