Dual Blades (GBA) (Dual Blades (GBA))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	Dual Blades (GBA)
Date:	08/05/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gameplay

Disadvantages: Graphics, Audio

"Dual Blades" is a video game released for the Gameboy Advance console in 2002 by Zoo Digital Publishing. It is a fighting game which bears resemblance to "Samuari Showdown" or even to a lesser extent "Mortal Kombat". In the United States, the game received a rating of "M" by the ESRB panel which deemed it suitable for ages 17 and above due to its intense violent content.

The storyline surrounding this title is not clear. I was only able to decipher that Alperen, champion fighter and final boss of the single player tournament, is immortal but feels this to be a punishment as opposed to something which favours him. Alperen has access to the dual blades which grant him this immortality and each fighter attempts to take them away from him in battle; why he doesn't just give his blades away to rid himself of immortality is anyone's guess. The game features nine playable characters which each feature their own distinct attacks and defenses. Weapons also play a central theme as many swords and other blades are featured heavily. Players will compete against computer opponents in head-to-head situations where the sole intention is to drain the opposing life metre to zero which signals the end of the battle and successful progression. The player may also utilize special finishing moves which are exceptionally gruesome in detail. The game features numerous decapitation sequences and the player is often encouraged to make use of these for the resulting "Death!" shout that lights up the Gameboy's display.

The graphics are presented from a side perspective which focuses on the centre of the battle. They are both hit and miss in terms of detailing. The images are large and occupy much of the display but are not particularly well rendered. There is a strong element of pixelation in each of the bodies which is apparent in battle. The violent sequences are also not particularly well designed; gushes of blood and other matter seem to burst in all directions despite contact from a specific area. The soundtrack is even less inspired with simple .midi musical scores and repetitive sound effects to include various "crunch" sounds.

Overall, Dual Blades would likely see success with fans of the fighting genre due to its excessively violent imagery. It is not a game I truly enjoyed due to the poorer visual and audible implementations.

Summary: Thumbs in the middle