It feels like a lifetime ago when I played the original games on the first PlayStation. While many remember the era for the rise of fighters like Tekken for 3D fighting action, it was Fighting Force that took the 3D Beat-em-Up genre to new places, trying to bring the classic side-scrolling action of games like Streets of Rage into the third dimension. Now, those of a certain age, like me, being in my 40s, can relive the glory days as the Fighting Force Collection has officially surfaced on Steam.
Fighting Force Collection
The collection brings together the two main entries in the franchise: the original Fighting Force from 1997 and its sequel, Fighting Force 2, which followed in 1999. For many, the first game was the standout, offering a spiritual successor to the Streets of Rage formula with four distinct characters. Hawk Manson, Mace Daniels, Alana McKendricks, and Ben “Smasher” Johnson. The sequel took things in a slightly different direction, focusing solely on Hawk Manson as he goes undercover to investigate the Knackmiche Corporation. It leaned a bit more into the action-adventure side of things but maintained that late-90s grit that defined the PlayStation library.
Key Features
If you are looking to jump back into these classics, keep in mind that these are pretty barebones ports, so they still largely look and play like the classic games. A bit of extra effort would have gone a long way, given they want £15.99 for the pair of games, but honestly, I’m just happy to be able to play them again, albeit I may wait for this one on a Steam Sale before pulling the trigger.
Fighting Force
- Choose from two male or two female characters, each with different skills and strengths.
- Play alone or in co-op mode to defeat your enemies.
- Dozens of moves per character.
- Seven action-packed levels in 22 different stages.
- Pick up weapons like rocket launchers, shotguns, pipes, guns, grenades and more!
Fighting Force 2
- Negotiate through complex R&D facilities featuring amazing visuals and advanced special effects.
- Fierce hand-to-hand combat, including deadly combination moves.
- Use an arsenal of over 20 lethal weapons to assist inthe removal of key personnel and complete destruction of environments.
Tell Me More
While the original Fighting Force was famously rumoured to have begun life as a potential Streets of Rage 4 pitch to Sega, it eventually carved out its own identity as a multi-platform hit. The Steam release ensures that these titles are preserved, allowing a new generation to experience the chunky polygonal action. Who knows, maybe we’ll see some mods buff things up in the near future.
Where to Buy
The Fighting Force Collection is available now on Steam for £15.99 / $19.99. It is an essential pick-up for fans of retro brawlers, but the lack of modernisation may make it a tough sell to modern gamers who don’t have the need to scratch that nostalgic itch. The release is also available on PlayStation and Switch.
