Inspired by classic fighting games from the 90's such as Street Fighter, Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters, 'Pocket Bravery' channels the 'Neo Geo Pocket' aesthetic for a modern fighting game with a retro twist!
The developers have clearly channeled their passion for 90s fighting game classics like Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, and The King of Fighters. The game's aesthetic pays homage to the Neo Geo Pocket line, delivering a modern fighting game experience with a delightful retro twist. Many reviewers appreciate this nostalgic approach, citing it as a significant draw for fans of the genre's history.
The game features an original roster of 12 distinct characters, each with their own specialized abilities and playstyles. Reviewers consistently praise the diverse movesets, noting that every fighter feels unique and rewarding to master. Whether players prefer classic archetypes or more unconventional approaches, the character selection caters to a wide range of fighting game preferences.
A standout mechanic in the gameplay is the elemental-based "Ichor" system, which imbues each character with a unique elemental power. Players can leverage these elemental affinities to unlock new offensive and defensive options, adding an additional layer of depth and strategy to the combat. Mastering the interplay between each character's elemental abilities is crucial for high-level play.
While the game is designed to be approachable for newcomers, it also offers a high skill ceiling and depth that caters to experienced fighting game players. Reviewers describe the control scheme as intuitive and easy to pick up, but the combat mechanics still provide ample opportunity for advanced techniques and mastery. The game's ability to accommodate both casual and competitive audiences is widely praised.
Across the board, players highlight the game's outstanding visual presentation, with the vibrant, stylized pixel art and character designs being a major point of praise. Reviewers consistently applaud the impressive animation quality and overall production values, which contribute to the game's strong sense of personality and retro fighting game atmosphere.
In addition to the online multiplayer, the game offers a substantial amount of single-player content, including a story mode, arcade mode, and various other gameplay modes. The story mode, in particular, is widely praised for its engaging narrative and the way it seamlessly integrates tutorial-like elements to teach players the game's mechanics. The inclusion of multiple character-specific arcade mode endings is also noted as a welcome throwback to classic fighting games.
While the game is generally well-received, some players have identified areas that could be improved. Specific feedback includes addressing issues with the input reader and move buffering, as well as the desire for more detailed move descriptions and character customization options beyond simple recolors. The developers have acknowledged these concerns and indicated their commitment to addressing them through ongoing updates and improvements.