Review: DNF Duel
Ever since Capcom released Street Fighter II 30 years ago, the fighting game genre has attempted to strive for perfection. Oh sure, the methods, modes, mechanics, and artistic styles for every ring-rocker are very different, but every one of these games is pushing toward the same goal: the capture of a community; a passionate player base that will keep said fighter alive, kicking, and perpetually on its feet, lest it falls to a 10-count like so many contenders that have come before.
Today, it is incredibly rare that a developer makes a “bad fighter”. Whether billion-dollar franchises such as Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter itself, to mid-size slugfests such as The King of Fighters, Guilty Gear, and Skullgirls, to cultish outliers such as Melty Blood, Samurai Shodown, and Them’s Fightin’ Herds, almost every modern fighter — regardless of budget, visual style, or gameplay — brings its A-game. This is reflected in the fact that all of the above have delivered great efforts in the past 10 years. The days of Kasumi Ninja, Ballz, and Survival Arts are long dead. And they can stay that way, Jack.
No, the true goal of a fighting game today is not to simply be “great”. They’re all great. The challenge today is to survive; build a community; retain full lobbies; be repped at tournaments; to hold their own against more recognizable brands. That is the true fight, the real challenge, and it is one that now stands before DNF Duel, Nexon’s long-awaited Dungeon Fighter Online spin-off. The FGC is eating well right now, and next year is set to bring more food to the table.
DNF Duel has what it takes to be a contender, no doubt about it, but it has a helluva scrap on its hands.
DNF Duel (PC [reviewed], PlayStation)Developer:
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