Game: Fightback

Developer Ninja Theory has a short but sweet track record of quality console games, the last being January's DmC: Devil May Cry. So when asked to check out their newest title, Fightback on iOS, I was intrigued. This is the company's first venture into the world of mobile games, but I was confident that the company's prior success would be able to make the transition into the mobile market. Then, I looked at the game and I started to get nervous.It's easy to take one look at Fightback and start to judge it. It's a two-dimensional beat'em up with a protagonist that looks like a dark-haired Duke Nukem and plenty of dark and unimaginative stages. There's little about the presentation that's worth applauding, but I'd like to think that Ninja Theory realized this after jumping into development. Even though the presentation is often laughable, it gets to the point where it starts to feel like a cheesy "B" movie. I found myself chuckling at the giant muscle man storming into a room, beating people, and checking behind him before leaving.Unlike movies, cheese means nothing if gameplay doesn't back it up. Fortunately, Fightback's play is often as solid as the protagonist's abs. Right away, I started to pick up on some Mortal Kombat (2009) vibes. Those who played that reboot are likely to pick up on some of the similarities. While there's no super-exaggerated uppercut or gratuitous gore, you'll be able to punch, kick, and juggle enemies in the air until they're finished.