Skullgirls is a fast 2D fighting game that puts you in control of fierce warriors in a Dark Deco world. New game systems test the skills of veteran fighting game fans while also making the genre enjoyable and accessible to newcomers. A modern take on classic arcade fighters with a hand-drawn high-definition twist, Skullgirls is an action-packed competition complete with complex combos and an intriguing backstory...

First impressions of Skullgirls may not be overly impressive. It looks old school and it's too hard (button mashing don't cut it here). But this is a game that is hardcore and is certain to appeal to anime/manga fanatics who are looking for a game that has obviously been developed by people in the know.

There are eight characters to chose from and the ability to play in three gaming modes: story, arcade and multiplayer (on and offline). The story mode takes you through each character's individual story and is quite impressive - well worth playing through with all characters in order to see the beautiful Japanese artwork. The arcade mode is fairly straightforward, quick fights that pit you against another CPU controlled opponent. Finally multiplayer lets you battle against a friend or online against strangers.

There's also a pretty in depth tutorial that take you from the very basics, right through to techniques to help you understand what tactics are best for you.

Once you get into the story, and the intense game play, you'll appreciate why the game doesn't cater for the novice (although that doesn't mean they can't learn to play this if they're determined to put the time in). You won't be able to button mash your way through the levels easily, instead it's a case of knowing your opponents moves (which you'll learn once you've played them all) and trying to out fox others who will already know your character's strengths and weaknesses.

Overall, Skullgirls is a meaty, neat looking game that will be welcomed by fans of Japanese anime and manga.

8

Nick Smithson