If I could sum up SkyScrappers in a single phrase, it would be ‘absolute pandemonium’. This 4 player couch co-op game has you fighting, running and jumping up collapsing buildings; you win by either making it to the top or defeating everybody else sending them bellowing back to the ground.
Sky Scrappers harks back to the golden age of coin-op games. It’s fast, intense and an enjoyable couch Co-op game; unfortunately, it doesn’t sport any online play that might upset some players, however, playing the AI or a friend by your side is still a blast. Visually Sky Scrappers is a colorful game, sporting an art style similar to games like Drop Kick. It reminded me of something you’d play on a 90s arcade machine especially having a rocking-retro soundtrack.
The combat and task are simple, fight to the death while making your way to the top of a collapsing building. X is jump while Square and Circle are your attacks, and yes button mashing is something you’ll be doing as you jump and attack like a blindfolded child trying to hit a piñata. There are also special moves you can perform, but they’re mapped to the same buttons as attack and jump, which can be accidentally triggered, it happened a few too many times where I simply wasted my special ability, which is a little frustrating. The fights are chaotic. You can whack falling debris towards other players, and the pacing can be a little over whelming as everyone tries to jump their way to the top all the while dodging debris and each other. It certainly takes some skill to time jumps and out fight/maneuver everyone else.
There’re 4 different characters to choose with their own story modes, even the battle selection screen looks like it’s straight out of Street Fighter. Single player is a good way to get used to the games mechanics as it starts from 1vs1 and works up to 4 player free for all’s. There’s pre match banter between characters and upon completion of the single player you are treated to a short cut-scene. Trophy hunters will also be happy as the game has an easy platinum trophy to earn. The downside is that there are only 4 characters to choose from and 4 stages to fight through, perhaps in the form of DLC we might get to fight our way up a volcano or a collapsing space station, either scenario would fit in well. In terms of game modes it’s pretty bare bones, there’s no team battles or score attack/survival modes which would have added more replay value.
Overall Sky Scrappers is a solid couch Co-Op game; sadly, the bare bones content might limit its longevity. The core gameplay still delivers a fun and unique experience that is certainly worth playing with friends or against the AI.
Pros:
+ Fun frantic combat
+ Easy trophies
+ Classic Arcade nostalgia
Cons:
– Couch Co Op only
– Barebones game modes
– Only 4 fighters & 4 Stages
Verdict: 3.5/5
Intense Couch Co-op madness!
Title: Sky Scrappers
Developer: Ground Shatter Ltd
Format: PS4
Genre: Fighter
Resolution: 1080p
Release date: 2015-21-10
Difficulty: Medium
Spent time: 3 Hours
Average grade internationally: TBA
PEGI age rating: +12
Price: £9.99
Sharn Daniels
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @SharnOfTheDEAD
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Tags: Co-Op fighting, Ground Shatter Ltd, PS4, PS4 review, SkyScrappers