Transforming a popular free-to-play title into a fighting game is a bit of a trend.Following in the footsteps of Granblue Fantasy Versus, DNF Duel is based on a Korean action RPG Dungeon Fighter Online.. Its character roster consists of playable classes from source material — an unnamed adventurer with a particular combat style. The tone and design of the dungeon fighter is perfect for a one-on-one fighter, with great art direction and over-the-top battle techniques at the heart of the property’s identity.
DNF Duel is a collaborative effort between fighting game master Arc System Works (Guilty Gear, BlazBlue, mentioned above Granblue Fantasy Versus) and the lesser-known Japanese developer Eighting, who has been involved in various projects over the years. is. We have a lot of experience here and show how vivid the game is from the moment it starts.
This is the third mention of Granblue Fantasy Versus in many paragraphs, but the similarities between the 2020 release and DNF cannot be ignored. Both games are designed with accessibility in mind and feature simple buttonstrokes to help players of all skill levels learn crazy techniques without spending hours in training mode. In this case, each character has a series of special movements that can be activated by pressing one face button along one direction. A super move, which is only available when your health drops to a certain point, is also associated with a single button. Easy-Easy.
While friendliness is probably exaggerated when it comes to making fighting games more appealing to more viewers, it’s a great job for DNF to bring new players into the fight. I can’t deny it. A properly sized roster (16 characters at launch), numerous single-player modes, and striking visuals will greatly help enhance the appeal of the game.
In addition, the title nails the most important aspect of everything: it just feels great to play. It’s not as fast as other anime-style fighters. The absence of an air dash almost always means that it is fixed to the ground. In that sense, its feel is comparable to titles like Granblue Fantasy Versus (sorry). , Or even Street Fighter, how important the spacing seems to be for most casts.
However, when the blockbuster is landed, DNF transforms into a brawler with a more recognizable anime. Combo pressure is absolutely cruel when there is momentum and your opponent is trapped in the corner of the stage.I was speaking big If you’re unlucky, you’ll do damage if caught by someone who knows what they’re doing. Systems that sacrifice the health of the game make aggressive play even more oppressive. Indeed, by abandoning some of the gray health, that is, the health that can be healed over time, you can strengthen your attacks, shatter enemy guards, and make them completely vulnerable.
and, range Most of these characters have. Almost all fighters (in certain cases, whether you use an oversized sword, a real firearm, or both) can cover most of the screen with a special. When Many of their normals. This means that the match can sometimes be a fishing festival. There, both players stand in range and press the safest and longest reach button to find the opening.
Doesn’t it sound very attractive? But again, once all the important attacks have landed, the game begins to explode. Also note that each character is equipped with a forward evasion that gives them a short invincibility. This technique can be used to weave projectiles and other predictable movements, fill gaps, and retaliate from far more dangerous locations.
There are some concerns about character balance, but even in this incredibly early stage, the bottom line is that DNF is really fun. Many attacks are satisfyingly thick, and thanks to Arc System Works’ excellent graphics engine, it’s great to see in general.
Our only real concern is the ability to have a lasting impact on the landscape of today’s fighting games. Now it’s hard to see where DNF fits, and similar titles like Guilty Gear Strive dominate the conversation and are the potential colossal statue of Street Fighter 6 to be released in 2023. For many, this latest brawler can be a secondary choice. And it casts doubt on its lifespan, both competitively and casually. But of course, it’s too early to come to a conclusion.
Unfortunately, the server doesn’t run until it starts, so we haven’t sampled the title’s online mode yet. Based on my experience in beta testing the game, its rollback net code should be very smooth, but if players from all over the world are involved, I need to see how it translates. there is.
But hey, at least we were able to spend enough time in a solid single player mode. Story mode provides every fighter with its own storyline, drawn through well-drawn stills, dialogue between characters, and fairly simple combat. Plots are usually complicated and writing certainly won’t win a prize, but it helps to inject some personality into each character. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a simple action, you can try the eight-game arcade mode or survival. The tutorial is also decent. Each character has its own strategic overview along with a combo trial.
Conclusion
DNF Duel is a friendly and explosive fighting game. It doesn’t stand out from the crowd in terms of style that’s easy to understand, but it’s a lot of fun to actually play. Crazy combos, cool character rosters, and a great selection of game modes make for a compelling package. We’ll update this review with scores and additional details as we become able to test the title’s online service.
