Now, nearly 30 years later, River City Ransom has gotten its first true sequel thanks to Kickstarter in the form of River City Ransom: Underground. River City Ransom in particular was the favorite of a lot of gamers when it released in 1989, with its almost relatable story of beating up bullies to save your girl, and non-linear gameplay that allowed players to explore River City to their heart’s content, a unique trait in the often left-to-right genre. Forming in the primordial early ages of arcades and coming into their own along home consoles, games like Streets of Rage, Double Dragon, and River City Ransom have managed to stand the test of time thanks to their simple setups and fun to play brutal combat.
Of all the genres of games, few have had the lasting power of the beat-em-up.
