Official Score
Overall - 50%
50%
Combining rhythm and fighting is a novel concept, but It’s Raining Fists and Metal just doesn’t have the music nor the gameplay to stand out in the arena brawler space.
The gnarly world of metal meets the over the top world of fisticuffs with Marco Amadei and Riccardo Ricci’s arena brawler It’s Raining Fists and Metal. This rhythm and fighting game combo breaks new ground, but is this title tubular or gnarly?
It’s Raining Fists and Metal Review
Those weaned on arena fighters like Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. series will no doubt what to do from just a passing glance. With support for up to four players, it’s up for rockers to knock their opponent out of the stage by any means necessary. As one would expect from the title, everything is metal-fied – expect to play with radical characters like Michael Stoner and Steppen Joe in such venues as the Metal Factory or the Altar of Sacrifice.
However, the inspiration comes across as plagiarism at times – menus elements are lifted wholesale, the effects when people are incapacitated are the same, and even the inclusion of items (albeit music-based ones like keytars and records) feels similar. It often feels like the dollar store discount of Nintendo’s name brand sauce.
It’s Raining Fists and Metal does stand out through the inclusion of its rhythm elements. Not only do players choose a character and a stage, but they also choose a track to play as well. These tracks aren’t just for head bopping though – each one has a melody shown at the top of each stage that must be followed when doing any action. Whether one is attacking, defending, or even pushing through by “Moshing,” it is important to time elements to the beat.
It’s just a shame that actions often feel like they lack any sort of weight. Successfully pulling off the elements of a song should feel empowering, but the placement of the rhythm meter in relation to the frantic action of the gameplay simply does not work. In what is the equivalent of walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time, it is far too easy to put the brakes on the action to figure out what players need to do next. It simply does not strike a chord for those looking to throw down.
Unfortunately, the game also greatly suffers through its musical choice. In what should be one of the key elements of the title, the soundtrack making up It’s Raining Fists and Metal is grating. The chiptune songs are loud, sure, but they also come across as obnoxious and dissonant – especially “Hamsterdam.” It’s a real shame, as solid tunes would have added a considerable amount to this package.
To keep players going, a number of characters and stages can be unlocked. An Adventure Mode with a random story unlocks a number of pieces of content, but those looking to throw down right away can enjoy a considerable amount of the title from the get-go. Just be warned that there is no online to speak of – only couch co-op and bots are present.
Combining rhythm and fighting is a novel concept, but It’s Raining Fists and Metal just doesn’t have the music nor the gameplay to stand out in the arena brawler space.
