The Legend of Tianding, a side-scrolling beat-’em-up developed by Creative Games Computer Graphics Corporation and inspired by the Robin Hood-like Taiwanese folk hero Liao Tianding has plenty of action for interested players to enjoy.
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The combination of its 2.5D graphics, comic book-style cutscenes, various martial arts techniques and weapons, side content, and platforming elements help give it a unique identity among its contemporaries. Like its contemporaries, The Legend of Tianding also has a relatively short playtime. Those who have finished it may be looking for other experiences with similar elements, of which there are plenty to choose from.
7 9 Monkeys Of Shaolin
Another 2.5D beat-’em-up set in China's past, Sobaka Studio's 9 Monkeys Of Shaolin is heavily inspired by the martial arts movies of the 1970s but takes place in the year 1572. Starring Wei Cheng, a fisherman and martial artist, you join the titular group to avenge the death of his grandfather and the destruction of his village by bandits.
With three different fighting styles to master, unlockable perks and items to assist players further, a variety of polearm weapons, a local and online two-player co-op mode, and over 25 levels to explore, 9 Monkeys Of Shaolin is another game that Legend Of Tianding fans will immensely enjoy.
6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge
If you enjoy The Legend of Tianding but want a similar game you can play with other people, then Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge is the game you're looking for. Shredder's Revenge is a modern beat-’em-up heavily inspired by the beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade games and has online co-op for up to six players, surpassing to normally expected four-player limit.
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All four Ninja Turtles are playable, of course, along with Splinter, April O'Neil, and Casey Jones. All in all, there's a decent amount of character variety since the characters themselves can't change their default weapons. Like the games it's inspired by, its playtime is short but more challenging than you might expect.
5 Fight N Rage
Fight N Rage is a retro-style beat-’em-up that mimics beloved arcade games of the past, including different display modes, without requiring several pocketfuls of quarters. A few key characters are playable in the primary arcade mode. A handful of enemies serve as unlockable characters in several other modes, adding a distinct feature to the game.
Because of its additional modes, unlockable content, alternate paths that feature different cutscenes, easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master combo and parry systems, and co-op for up to four players with optional friendly fire, Fight N Rage has a decent amount of replay value despite the short length of its arcade mode.
4 Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China is the first entry in the Assassin's Creed Chronicles spinoff series. Unlike the main series, the Chronicles games are 2.5D side-scrolling games, though they still involve the stealth and parkour the series is known for, just in a more limited way comparatively.
Set in 16th-century imperial China during the Ming Dynasty, Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China features Shao Jun, a character Ezio trained to help liberate her people from the templars. Like her predecessors, Shao Yun has a variety of weapons in her arsenal, including a sword, throwing knives, and more. It may not be a beat-’em-up, but it provides a welcome change to the series.
3 Ninjin Clash Of Carrots
Ninjin Clash of Carrots is an anime-inspired 2D beat-’em-up starring anthropomorphic animal ninjas. The main characters, Ninjin the rabbit and Akai the fox, must retrieve stolen carrots from Shogun Moe and his henchmen. These carrots also serve as a currency that can be used to purchase upgrades, customization items, projectiles, and a large variety of weapons, so it's best to collect as many as possible.
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Like many other games in the genre, Ninjin has local and online co-op for two players and a survival mode. Ninjin is also peculiar in that it briefly had an animated series on Cartoon Network, which is uncommon for games in the genre. Usually, the games are based on a previously existing animated series.
2 River City Girls
River City Girls is a modern spinoff of the River City Ransom series and, as such, has mechanics first introduced in the previous games. This includes temporary improvised weapons, some of which are dropped by damaged enemies. Defeated enemies drop money, new areas in previous locations can be unlocked once specific objectives have been met, and local two-player co-op is available.
One intriguing feature included in River City Girls is that the final enemy in each area has a chance to surrender, where they can either be defeated or recruited to assist the players when needed. Despite being a beat-’em-up, River City Girls also features side quests that give extra money and experience, providing additional content for players who want more.
1 Sakuna Of Rice And Ruin
Sakuna of Rice and Ruin is another 2.5D side-scrolling game, this time starring the titular goddess of the harvest, banished to the Isle of Demons due to her spoiled nature and arrogance. Sakuna is tasked with eliminating monsters while aiding the small group of humans banished alongside her until they can return to their realm.
As a goddess of the harvest, Sakuna can use various farming tools to fight monsters, as well as her magical sash that works similarly to Liao Tianding's sash as a grappling hook. Sakuna of Rice and Ruin is also notable for having a rice farming mechanic separate from its side-scrolling levels, where successfully growing rice permanently increases Sakuna's stats.
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