In 2003, Vicarious Visions would create the unexpected gem for the Game Boy Advance "Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend." This portable beat ’em up is, as the name suggests, a homage to the martial arts icon Bruce Lee and delivers a surprisingly entertaining, if not short, experience. The game, while certainly not the best pixel art on the GBA, successfully blends that retro art style with fluid martial arts-inspired animations to deliver a game that captures the essence of Bruce Lee's cinematic prowess and skill as a martial artist.
At its core, this GBA title is a side-scrolling beat 'em up where players take control of Hai Feng (played by Bruce Lee) as he combats waves of adversaries using his signature moves. The controls, consisting of nothing more than a few button presses, make it a breeze to execute rapid punches, powerful kicks, and exhilarating combos to dismantle the enemies standing in your way. Furthermore, the player can find a variety of weapons scattered throughout the levels, such as nunchucks and throwing darts, to further bolster their capabilities. This combat system, regardless of whether you are fighting hand-to-hand or with a weapon, is easy to pick up and doesn’t require a lot of time to master. I would have personally enjoyed a tad more variety to the combat options available considering the skill of the game's namesake, but the surface-level combat doesn’t detract from the game's enjoyability.
The level design present in Return of the Legend is serviceable. Most levels offer enough diversity and verticality to still be engaging, but levels rarely transcend beyond the typical beat ‘em up level found in any other game, which is completely fine. The most exciting stages, however, are those requiring the player to infiltrate an enemy base without being seen. This stealth gameplay, if it can be called that, is a nice break from the constant beat 'em-up action present in every other level and can be incredibly challenging without precise platforming and enemy patrol pattern memorization.
While the game is an overall triumph, it's not without minor setbacks. The difficulty curve can be unforgiving at times, especially for newcomers and upon reaching the prison escape sequence in Act 7. Certain boss fights can also feel disproportionately challenging given their massive health bar, impressive reach, and quick attack speed, but with practice, these challenges can be all part of the fun.
In summary, Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend was a delightful surprise for a lover of the Game Boy Advance like myself. The game not only honors the legendary martial artist in a way that will undoubtedly please fans, but is also a great classic beat 'em up game in its own right. With responsive controls and a visual style that pays homage to Bruce Lee's legacy, this title offers an enjoyable and nostalgic experience. If you're a fan of the genre or just want to channel your inner Bruce Lee, this is a game that should not be missed.
At its core, this GBA title is a side-scrolling beat 'em up where players take control of Hai Feng (played by Bruce Lee) as he combats waves of adversaries using his signature moves. The controls, consisting of nothing more than a few button presses, make it a breeze to execute rapid punches, powerful kicks, and exhilarating combos to dismantle the enemies standing in your way. Furthermore, the player can find a variety of weapons scattered throughout the levels, such as nunchucks and throwing darts, to further bolster their capabilities. This combat system, regardless of whether you are fighting hand-to-hand or with a weapon, is easy to pick up and doesn’t require a lot of time to master. I would have personally enjoyed a tad more variety to the combat options available considering the skill of the game's namesake, but the surface-level combat doesn’t detract from the game's enjoyability.
The level design present in Return of the Legend is serviceable. Most levels offer enough diversity and verticality to still be engaging, but levels rarely transcend beyond the typical beat ‘em up level found in any other game, which is completely fine. The most exciting stages, however, are those requiring the player to infiltrate an enemy base without being seen. This stealth gameplay, if it can be called that, is a nice break from the constant beat 'em-up action present in every other level and can be incredibly challenging without precise platforming and enemy patrol pattern memorization.
While the game is an overall triumph, it's not without minor setbacks. The difficulty curve can be unforgiving at times, especially for newcomers and upon reaching the prison escape sequence in Act 7. Certain boss fights can also feel disproportionately challenging given their massive health bar, impressive reach, and quick attack speed, but with practice, these challenges can be all part of the fun.
In summary, Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend was a delightful surprise for a lover of the Game Boy Advance like myself. The game not only honors the legendary martial artist in a way that will undoubtedly please fans, but is also a great classic beat 'em up game in its own right. With responsive controls and a visual style that pays homage to Bruce Lee's legacy, this title offers an enjoyable and nostalgic experience. If you're a fan of the genre or just want to channel your inner Bruce Lee, this is a game that should not be missed.