"Double Dragon: Revival" Offers Aggressive Gameplay Utilizing Terrain and Environment. Hands-On Impressions Report [TGS2025]

Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/817/G081741/20250927017/

Writer: Senichi Yagimoto | 2025/09/27 02:50 (UTC)

From September 25 to 28, 2025 (with Business Days on the 25th and 26th), Arc System Works’ booth at Tokyo Game Show 2025 is featuring a demo of “Double Dragon: Revived” available for play across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One. This latest installment in the side-scrolling action series “Double Dragon” offers an exhilarating combat experience where players aggressively attack using terrain and environment—here’s our hands-on impression.

Thumbnail image No.001 / “Double Dragon: Revived” allows aggressive gameplay utilizing terrain and environment. Hands-On Impressions Report [TGS2025]

Arc System Works booth scene Thumbnail image No.002 / “Double Dragon: Revived” allows aggressive gameplay utilizing terrain and environment. Hands-On Impressions Report [TGS2025] Thumbnail image No.003 / “Double Dragon: Revived” allows aggressive gameplay utilizing terrain and environment. Hands-On Impressions Report [TGS2025]

“Double Dragon,” a side-scrolling action game series that began in 1987, traditionally follows the story of brothers “Jimmy” and “Billy” Lee fighting evil using their “Double Kicks.” The latest entry is set 15 years after nuclear war has ended, featuring a parallel storyline where the Lee brothers battle against the gang known as the Shadow Warriors.

In this installment, childhood friend “Marian,” who traditionally suffers misfortunes like being kidnapped or shot in earlier games, now appears as a playable character and an expert of Double Kicks. Alongside her are two new allies: ninja Ryuusei Ranzo, guardian of the dragon veins that power the Double Kicks—making for four heroes standing against evil.

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Billy Lee

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Jimmy Lee

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Marian

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Ryuusei Ranzo

Aggressive Gameplay Using Terrain and Environment

The Latest Entry in the “Double Dragon” Series

While faithfully adhering to side-scrolling action conventions—such as crowded fields with multiple combatants—the latest game stands out for its fresh feel. Particularly engaging is how players can utilize terrain, allowing for graceful, swift execution of enemies once you master the mechanics.

Normal attack combos branch into aerial attacks (to lift opponents) or low attacks (targeting lower positions), and these can be combined seamlessly. For instance: start with a normal combo to launch an enemy upward, then jump in mid-air to strike them down, followed by a finishing low attack—this encourages creative combinations.

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Parkour-style moves feel refreshing. If a wall is nearby, you can perform powerful strikes (“Wall Strike”), or grab an enemy and carry them toward a wall to execute “Wall Crash”—a throw that slams the opponent into it. Ordinary objects like trash bins, basketball hoops, parked car windows, refrigerators—any of these can be used to instantly knock down foes.

You can also roll off elevated terrain such as traffic barriers for strong attacks, or swing from streetlamps like a gymnast bar to launch high-altitude assaults. For example: pin an enemy against a wall, then hurl them off the edge and follow up with a powerful rolling attack using a traffic barrier—this kind of aggressive use of environment is immensely fun.

When slamming enemies into walls while grabbing them, “Wall Crash” activates—and you can still move while holding onto the opponent. Thumbnail image No.010 / “Double Dragon: Revived” allows aggressive gameplay utilizing terrain and environment. Hands-On Impressions Report [TGS2025]

Notice the car in the background. When an enemy hits a window, they become stuck with their upper body embedded in shattered glass—apparently, this can be done regardless of remaining health. Thumbnail image No.011 / “Double Dragon: Revived” allows aggressive gameplay utilizing terrain and environment. Hands-On Impressions Report [TGS2025]

To force enemies into these environmental traps, mastering the direction of throws and strikes is key. Since walls are everywhere, simply carrying an enemy from a grab to a wall for Wall Crash significantly boosts efficiency.

The ability to use terrain in various ways exists across many side-scrolling action titles. Revisiting the original “Double Dragon,” one recalls the rich variety of gimmicks: conveyor belts on stage 2, factory pits on stage 3, holes dug into the ground on stage 3, spears and stone pillars on stage 4, and beds of needles—all contributing to the series’ iconic charm. The fact that “Double Dragon: Revived” feels so authentically “Double Dragon” is due to these elements being thoughtfully evolved.

When you land a hit just as an enemy uses a special move, it triggers a “Critical Assault,” increasing your “Dragon Gem Gauge”—used for super moves. Thumbnail image No.012 / “Double Dragon: Revived” allows aggressive gameplay utilizing terrain and environment. Hands-On Impressions Report [TGS2025]

Another notable feature of this title is that both allies and enemies are strong. Special moves and aerial special attacks, which normally act as super armor with wide attack hitboxes—often resulting in one-shot kills—are available at no cost during the demo version.

While exact balance for the final release remains unclear, the demo had no continues; if your HP reaches zero, it’s game over immediately. The fact that enemies use invincible moves freely and are far from weak means successfully dispatching them through smart use of terrain and environment delivers a powerful sense of catharsis.

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There’s also the “Dragon Gem Gauge” system. As you attack, this gauge fills up, enabling high-damage super moves. Simply repeating the same move won’t fill it fast—however, using terrain creatively or landing combos will boost its accumulation quickly. I’m already looking forward to securing ample playtime after release to study and master all these mechanics.

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Official Website for “Double Dragon: Revived”

OTHERS

Try out “Absolum,” “Double Dragon: Revived,” and more at Arc System Works’ TGS 2025 booth. Free exclusive merchandise for demo attendees

Today, Arc System Works announced its participation details for “Tokyo Game Show 2025.” At their booth, visitors can try out “Absolum,” “Double Dragon: Revived,” “Dear me, I was…,” and “GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-”, with additional demo access confirmed for the fighting game “MARVEL: Tōkon Fighting Souls.”

[September 4, 2025, 14:29]

PC Xbox Series X|S Xbox One PS5 PS4 Movie

“Double Dragon: Revived” Set for Release on October 23, 2025. Pre-orders for Digital Version Now Open

Arc System Works has released the latest trailer for its upcoming side-scrolling action game, “Double Dragon: Revived.” Alongside this announcement, the official release date was confirmed as October 23, 2025, with pre-orders for digital versions now open across all platforms.

[December 13, 2024, 13:50]