Last week, I reviewed Arcade Spirits, a charming visual novel dedicated to the wonder of arcade culture. Now, let’s take a look at the sequel, Arcade Spirits The New Challengers. Like its predecessor, The New Challengers (a subtitle Street Fighter II fans should recognize) is a visual novel full of memorable characters and loads of retro game references.
Arcade Spirits The New Challengers and its Quirky Cast of Characters
Developed by Fiction Factory Games, Arcade Spirits The New Challengers takes place five years after Arcade Spirits. This time around, you play a fighting game player who dreams of being an esports champion. The character customization options have been expanded, giving you far more options than the first game. You end up recruiting an esports team at a local arcade, and like in the first game, the characters are incredibly memorable. There’s an adrenaline junkie who buries an old tragedy, a man who suffers from depression that gives him a dry sense of humor, a woman who wants to be seen beyond her disability, and more.
Transfer Your Save
At the end of the first Arcade Spirits, you were asked if you wanted to save your data for the sequel. If you did so, you can transfer your save from the first game to The New Challengers. This will alter certain events in the story, and even include a cameo of your character from the first game.
References Galore!
Just like Arcade Spirits, The New Challengers is packed with references to retro games. Some are blatant, while others are more subtle. The absolute love that the developers have for arcade culture still shines through, making you nostalgic for that bygone era, even if you weren’t around for it.
Conclusion
If you enjoyed the first game, you will definitely enjoy Arcade Spirits The New Challengers. It’s hard to say which game is better, so let’s just say they go hand in hand. The game can be purchased on Steam for $19.99. Well, I hope you enjoyed this four-week look at arcade-themed indie games. Be sure to check out my reviews for Arcade Tycoon, Arcade Paradise, and the first Arcade Spirits as well. Next week, we’ll be looking at something completely different.
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