Recs.
Updated
Castle Crashers is a 2D side-scrolling co-op brawler. Using a tried and true beat 'em up gameplay design, and combining it with easily accessible online co-op creates a familiar classic style and updates it for current times.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Nostalgic beat 'em up gameplay that is familiar, making an easy game to jump into
If you liked classic, side-scrolling, beat 'em up arcade games like Double Dragon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, X-Men, or Alien vs. Predator, you will thoroughly and really enjoy Castle Crashers as its gameplay is based around the classics listed above. Move side to side and up and down the screen with a 2D character, while trying to attack bad guys who are doing the same. It is a balancing act of aligning you character up with the bad guys, in order to hit them while avoiding being hit. Overall a classic style of play that many will be familiar with.
Pro Silly humor keeps the game light hearted and amusing
There are several joke moments sprinkled throughout the game, all of which are accomplished without any spoken dialogue. Having the humor infused into the game itself keeps the mood amusing. What is more amazing is the technical aspect of creating joke that lands well, all with zero dialogue, is quite the feet in and of itself.
Pro Successfully avoids becoming repetitive and boring
Each level in the game has its own look and design which can keep the gameplay varied thanks to creating a need to explore in order to see what comes next. Ranging from deserts to ice filler terrain, there is no level that looks the same.
Cons
Con Bugs that appeared in the original Xbox title were not fixed for the PC port
There are still bugs and glitches in the game that were in the original Xbox version. Even though some of these errors could be fixed fairly simply, especially since there was enough time between releases, neither the developers nor the publisher bothered to address them.
Con Hitboxes are questionable
You'll miss many times when you think you should be hitting someone.
Con Controller heavily recommended
It’s understandable that a controller is the best tool for a beat 'em up, but actively discouraging the use of a keyboard is a bit crap for a computer game. Not only are there many players who don’t have controllers to begin with, but there’s also a large population who prefer to use a keyboard. Compounding the problem is the fact that the game does not change its prompts based on the user’s input device, which can make it very confusing to figure out what buttons perform what action.
Con Bugs that appeared in the original XBox title were not fixed for the PC port
There are still bugs and glitches in the game that were in the original XBox version. Even though there were simple fixes for some of these the dev nor publisher bothered to address them.
Recommendations
Comments
Out of Date Pros + Cons
Con Fair amount of grinding
A good amount of grinding is required to advance past certain bosses.
Not true anymore.