Bought it at launch because I am a huge fan of the second game in this series and, from what I saw, it looked to basically be "Sonic Mania but Ghosts n Goblins".
In some ways, it is that. I liked how the top and bottom paths on the map took you through different locations from the franchise's history. I also thought the new aesthetic wasn't half bad, although I would've preferred an 8 or 16 bit look.
The problem is that this game takes the weaker elements of the classics and amplifies them to make an experience that is, quite honestly, annoying and borders on meme territory at times. Arthur always moved slow, but here, it's just God awful in relation to everything that is being thrown at you. It never felt unmanageable in the classic games as hard as they were...it just felt like utter nonsense here for the sake of it.
The red devil's AI is also the most obnoxious it has ever been- almost like Capcom saw the jokes and said "let's make him even worse". It's not cute...it's just stupid. It's the same kind of idiocy that plagued Crash 4. (Which if I can be blunt was like the biggest disappointment I've has as an adult playing video games...sorry not sorry)
On top of it, there are now collectibles and a skill tree. I'm not sure why either are here and they just felt pointlessly tacked on tbh.
If you want a good modern spin on this formula, I highly recommend Cursed Castilla. It's cheaper, has an aesthetic and score damn near 1:1 with a late arcade or genesis game, and plays a billion times better. See also the arcade version of Super Battle Princess Madelyn if you're lucky enough to live by a barcade that has it as I am- I hope that gets ported some day.
In some ways, it is that. I liked how the top and bottom paths on the map took you through different locations from the franchise's history. I also thought the new aesthetic wasn't half bad, although I would've preferred an 8 or 16 bit look.
The problem is that this game takes the weaker elements of the classics and amplifies them to make an experience that is, quite honestly, annoying and borders on meme territory at times. Arthur always moved slow, but here, it's just God awful in relation to everything that is being thrown at you. It never felt unmanageable in the classic games as hard as they were...it just felt like utter nonsense here for the sake of it.
The red devil's AI is also the most obnoxious it has ever been- almost like Capcom saw the jokes and said "let's make him even worse". It's not cute...it's just stupid. It's the same kind of idiocy that plagued Crash 4. (Which if I can be blunt was like the biggest disappointment I've has as an adult playing video games...sorry not sorry)
On top of it, there are now collectibles and a skill tree. I'm not sure why either are here and they just felt pointlessly tacked on tbh.
If you want a good modern spin on this formula, I highly recommend Cursed Castilla. It's cheaper, has an aesthetic and score damn near 1:1 with a late arcade or genesis game, and plays a billion times better. See also the arcade version of Super Battle Princess Madelyn if you're lucky enough to live by a barcade that has it as I am- I hope that gets ported some day.