Rage of the Dragons NEO — The Cult Classic Returns Swinging - Review
- XPN Network
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Rage of the Dragons NEO arrives with a strange kind of pressure: it’s not just resurrecting a cult classic, it’s trying to justify why that cult classic mattered in the first place. The original Rage of the Dragons was always a bit of an oddity, a spiritual successor to Double Dragon that lived in the shadow of SNK’s titans. NEO tries to reclaim that identity with modern polish, tag‑team flair, and a reverence for 2D fighters that borders on devotional.
It’s a bold swing. And it connects… most of the time.
The heart of NEO is its tag‑team system, and it’s easily the game’s strongest asset. Swapping characters mid‑combo feels fluid, expressive, and surprisingly modern. There’s a rhythm to it, a kind of kinetic dance where you’re always one decision away from brilliance or disaster.
Tag cancels are buttery smooth
Juggles feel generous without being brainless
Supers hit with that SNK‑style theatrical punch
Defensive options are solid but slightly undercooked
The game wants you to play aggressively, and when you lean into that momentum, it sings. But the balance isn’t perfect. Some characters feel like they were tuned for a different meta entirely, and certain tag loops border on degenerate. It’s nothing a few patches can’t fix, but it’s noticeable.
Visually, NEO walks a tightrope between nostalgia and reinvention. The sprite work is crisp, colourful, and expressive. It's not quite Guilty Gear levels of spectacle, but far more polished than a simple homage.
Stages are vibrant, though a bit static
Music is a standout: punchy, energetic, and unmistakably arcade‑rooted
Let’s be honest: nobody comes to a Rage of the Dragons revival for the narrative. NEO offers a lightweight story mode that’s charming in a Saturday‑morning‑cartoon way, but it’s hardly essential. Where it stumbles is in its content density. Outside of versus and training, the offerings feel sparse. There’s no real innovation in single‑player modes, and online features while functional lack the robustness of modern fighters. Rollback netcode is present, which is a relief, but matchmaking can feel inconsistent depending on region and time making it hard to find online opponents.
Pros
Fluid tag‑team combat that feels expressive and modern
Satisfying combo flow, with generous juggles and stylish cancels
Strong visual identity with crisp sprite work and bold redesigns
Energetic soundtrack that nails the arcade‑fighter vibe
Rollback netcode that keeps online play mostly smooth
Cons
Balance issues that make some characters feel overtuned or undercooked
Sparse single‑player content, with few modes beyond the essentials
Online matchmaking inconsistencies, depending on region/time
Stages lack dynamism, feeling visually static compared to modern fighters
Story mode is lightweight, more charming than meaningful
Overall package feels a bit lean, especially for newcomers without nostalgia
Rage of the Dragons NEO is a love letter not just to its own legacy, but to an era of fighting games defined by personality rather than polish. It’s scrappy, stylish, and occasionally rough around the edges, but it has a beating heart and a clear identity. If you’re a fan of tag‑team fighters or you have nostalgia for the original, NEO is absolutely worth your time. If you’re looking for a fully modernised, feature‑rich package, you may find it a little lean.
XPN Rating: 3 out of 5 (SILVER)
Rage of the Dragons NEO is available now!
You can also check out our very own Ima Gh0stbusters video review of the game below!
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