I’m very completely happy that the River Metropolis/Kunio-Kun/Nekketsu/Downtown sequence has continued to today. River Metropolis Ransom was a formative recreation for my fashionable tastes. River Metropolis Ladies, as a recreation, I don’t love as a lot. Its artwork fashion and soundtrack, then again, I dig with each palms.

To be sincere, I used to be virtually married to the NES/Famicom artwork fashion of the sequence. Each time it moved away from these rectangular meaty-armed brutes, I at all times felt like one thing was misplaced. Nevertheless, lately, we’ve seen that artwork fashion preserved. A few of these video games that lean on the outdated 8-bit artwork fashion have even felt slightly hole behind the aesthetic, which might be why I related so nicely with River Metropolis Ladies.

Misako and Kyoko have advanced from obscure aspect characters to headliners in their very own proper, and I really like them for it. WayForward took the license, injected their very own ardour and imaginative and prescient, and reduce out their very own slice of it.

The Artwork of River Metropolis Ladies is an extremely nicely put collectively demonstration of that.

The Artwork of River Metropolis Ladies collects paintings from River Metropolis Ladies 1 and 2, in addition to River Metropolis Ladies Zero, which was WayForward’s localization of Shin Nekketsu Kōha: Kunio-tachi no Banka. It’s a reasonably all-encompassing have a look at the artwork, with idea artwork, sprite sheets, illustrations, and even variations of the manga-style cutscenes.

All of that is packaged in a canopy that resembles a basic yearbook. On high of that may be a plastic slipcase that is a little more product-y. I assume whereas we’re as regards to precise product options, it’s over 300 pages (325 by my depend).

It kicks off with a foreword by Adam Tierney. It’s the form of introduction that begins with “It’s onerous to imagine,” however after that, it will get proper into some behind-the-scenes information because it briefly recounts the preliminary pitch to Arc Methods Works, states that engaged on the River Metropolis/Kunio-Kun/Nekketsu/Downtown sequence was a dream mission for WayForward and reveals off the very first idea paintings depicting Kyoko and Misako (which nonetheless will get utilized in promotions).

The introduction encapsulates what I admire on this artwork guide. There’s artwork, background tidbits, and a vivid style of the staff’s enthusiasm for the property.

There’s one other factor I like about The Artwork of River Metropolis Ladies: abs. There are extra six-packs than a liquor retailer on this tome, and I’m completely on board. In fact, there’s Marian’s abs, the previous damsel from Double Dragon and playable protagonist in River Metropolis Ladies 2. There’s Kunio’s rival Riki who is just too cool to put on his jacket and as a substitute prefers to maintain his midsection heat with worryingly tight sports activities tape. Actually, although, I don’t assume we get to see sufficient of Kozuki and her superb washboard. Rattling, lady. Mmm!

Many of the behind-the-scene info is finished briefly blurbs alongside the paintings. They’re fairly fascinating, offering context and background to most of the characters. This consists of Sonny Lee being the third Double Dragon character (the Triple Dragon?) or Crash being primarily based on the field artwork of Crash ‘N’ the Boys: Avenue Problem (Bikkuri Nekketsu Shinkiroku! Haruka naru Kin-Medal).

One other great point to see is the promotional paintings that introduces us to Pirate Kyoko, Vampire Misako, and Santa Abobo. These are items that I’m not even positive the place they had been initially posted or what they had been used for, so it’s neat to have them preserved on this guide.

When WayForward got here to the River Metropolis/Kunio-Kun/Nekketsu/Downtown they introduced loads of their very own fashion, and that’s mirrored in The Artwork of River Metropolis Ladies. Whereas the overwhelming majority of the guide focuses fully on WayForward’s work, it helps give context to its place throughout the total property.

Judging from enjoying the video games, it was the artwork staff that had essentially the most enjoyable making them. The fashion is extremely distinctive whereas nonetheless paying tribute to the video games that it sprang from. Characters had been pulled from all around the Kunio-verse in a loving depiction of the video games. The Artwork of River Metropolis Ladies looks like having them in your lounge, excitedly stating all the things you could have missed.

The Artwork of River Metropolis Ladies is obtainable at Fangamer.