Darkstalkers Resurrection (Video Game Review)

Darkstalkers Resurrection is Capcom's newest attempt at reviving a classic series with a brand new, high definition release. Darkstalkers Resurrection actually includes two releases in its collection for the price of one game with plenty of new features added to the classic Night Warriors: Darkstalker's Revenge and Darkstalkers 3. With the new release, developer Iron Galaxy Studios and publisher Capcom have managed to include nearly every feature fighter game enthusiasts have been clamoring for in their favorite releases over recent years making this game a success as much for what it does for the fighting genre as including two classic games that are still very much playable in their new forms. The final product is one that fighting fans will want to pick up and immediately begin piecing together the largest combos and battling it out online all while uploading killer replays directly to YouTube with special in-game features.

Unless you was a huge arcade aficionado back in the day or owned a Sega Saturn, it's unlikely that you've had a chance to play Capcom's Night Warriors: Darkstalker's Revenge that released back in the mid 90s. The game follows the storyline of Earth's most fearsome monsters and last defense against a massive alien force known as Pyron that hopes to add the planet to a long list of world's devoured by the beast. The game added new characters to the series that is known for having some of the most bizarre characters for any Capcom fighter, which is really saying something. Meanwhile, Darkstalkers 3 was a highly successful game for the arcades and Sega Saturn as well as the original PlayStation entertainment system. The game did away with a few characters from the second release in the series and added others to replace them as well. The third game focused on the resurrection of the demon world by the evil Jedah and featured plenty of exciting fights and new features not available in previous games. Neither game was known for their strong storylines, but an adequate narrative is all a truly classic fighting game needs, and it helps that Darkstalkers Resurrection includes two stories for the price of one.



The Darkstalkers series is one of Capcom's most popular fighting titles with the exception of the Street Fighter series, and it helped produce a memorable cast of characters that continues to find these classic characters popping up in new releases such as Morrigan, Felecia and more. The classic titles had many similarities to other fighting games with large rosters of characters to choose, each with their own unique combos and special attacks. Other unique features were included in both games including the special Damage Gauge System for Darkstalkers 3 that replaced traditional best of three matches in favor of two life bar, single round fights and the special shadow mode that forced players to take control of defeated characters for the next fight on the ladder. Not only does the fighting mechanics of the games hold up well nearly 20 years after their initial releases, but both games have received graphical overhauls and a much improved presentation that makes this a very approachable collection in this late console generation.

An ability to upload replays immediately to YouTube, spectator mode, HD graphics, online multiplayer lobbies for up to 8 players and plenty of new features are all included in Darkstalkers Resurrection. In addition to the main story and the online multiplayer, you'll find Training modes, an improved Challenge mode and a plenty of unlockables viewable in Vault mode. There is a lot to do in this new release, so it is definitely worth your time and money to check out Darkstalkers Resurrection if you're a fan of the fighting genre. Retro aesthetics and a cool electronic soundtrack accompany the game as well to make this a fun throwback game to enjoy alone or with friends. The game is a bit difficult, but a bevy of game modes will soon have you familiar with the games' mechanics and on your way to becoming a Darkstalkers champion. Check out Darkstalkers Resurrection on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade today and relive this classic titles once again, now in HD!

Darkstalkers Resurrection is now available for download on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade and can be purchased for $14.99 or 1200 Microsoft Points respectively. Darkstalkers Resurrection is rated T by the ESRB for Blood, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes & Violence. For more information on Darkstalkers Resurrection, check out the official Capcom website.

Game Features:

Online Multiplayer 2-8

Two Games in One

YouTube Replays

Online Leaderboards

Trohpy/Achievement Support

Game Information:
Developer: Iron Galaxy Studios
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PlayStation Network & Xbox LIVE Arcade (reviewed)
Release Date: March 13, 2013

Score: 8 out of 10