{{Short description|2017 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}} {{Infobox video game | title = Fight'N Rage | image = Fight'N Rage cover.jpg | developer = {{ubl|[[SebaGamesDev]]|BlitWorks (console ports)}} | publisher = {{ubl|SebaGamesDev|BlitWorks (console ports)}} | producer = [[Sebastián García]] | designer = Sebastián García | programmer = Sebastián García | artist = Sebastián García | composer = [[Gonzalo Varela]] | platforms = {{ubl|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X]]}} | released = {{ubl|'''PC'''|September 19, 2017|'''NS'''|September 26, 2019|'''XONE'''|September 27, 2019|'''PS4'''|December 3, 2019|'''PS5'''|February 28, 2023|'''XBSX'''|March 1, 2023}} | genre = [[Beat 'em up]] | modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] }}
'''''Fight'N Rage''''' is a [[side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[beat 'em up]] game developed and published by SebaGamesDev. It was released for [[Windows]] in 2017, and received subsequent ports for the [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X]]. The game received generally positive reviews,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/|title=Fight'N Rage for Switch Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 17, 2023|archive-date=December 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217180327/https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/|url-status=live}}</ref> and is frequently cited as one of the best beat 'em ups of recent years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/05/18/the-top-10-beat-em-ups-to-play-right-now|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518225247/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/05/18/the-top-10-beat-em-ups-to-play-right-now|url-status=live|archive-date=May 18, 2022|title=The Top 10 Beat 'Em Ups to Play Right Now|date=May 18, 2022|website=[[GameInformer]]|access-date=December 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-pc-beat-em-ups|title=The Best PC Beat 'Em Ups for 2023|date=November 21, 2022|website=[[PC Mag]]|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218192728/https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-pc-beat-em-ups|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/the-10-best-beat-em-up-games-on-pc|title=The 10 Best Beat 'Em Ups on PC|date=September 6, 2020|website=[[Tech Radar]]|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218192727/https://www.techradar.com/news/the-10-best-beat-em-up-games-on-pc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.one37pm.com/gaming/best-beat-em-up-games|title=The 40 Best Beat 'Em Up Games of All Time|date=August 24, 2022|website=One37PM|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218192727/https://www.one37pm.com/gaming/best-beat-em-up-games|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Gameplay== ''Fight'N Rage'' is a side-scrolling [[beat 'em up]] in which up to three players locally fight against waves of enemies, aided by disposable weapons and [[item (game terminology)|item]] pickups. Alongside standard attacks, throws, and dashing attacks, each [[player character]] has a set of special attacks that can be performed at the cost of some [[health (game terminology)|health]]. Alternatively, players have a meter that fills with time and allows them to use a special move free of cost. Reminiscent of the [[fighting game]] genre, the game features unusually fluid controls for a beat 'em up, enabling the player to rapidly move about the screen and string together enormous combo attacks. Also inspired by fighting games, the game features a parry mechanic that enables the player to not only deflect an incoming attack, but instantly refill their special attack meter.<ref name="Guide">{{Cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1185287663|title=Fight'N Rage Beginner's Guide|website=Steam Community|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218025616/https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1185287663|url-status=live}}</ref>
The main gameplay mode, Arcade Mode, sees players going through a series of levels as the story is told, with several branching pathways enabling the player to experience a different sequence of levels and one of eight possible endings.<ref name="endings">{{Cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1145475002|title=Fight'N Rage Ending Guide|website=Steam Community|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218195527/https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1145475002|url-status=live}}</ref> Set in a fictional world where humans are locked in bitter war with mutants - a race of [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] animals - the game features three playable characters seeking to confront and defeat the mutant rebellion's evil leader. Players have a limited number of lives, but they can earn more by earning a certain number of points. If all players lose all of their lives, they will have to retry the segment where they died from the beginning. Players receive points based on their performance, which are converted to coins on game over or completing the game. Coins can be spent to purchase numerous unlockable outfits and game modes.<ref name="cheats"/> The game also tracks, stores, and displays [[speedrunning]] statistics for your given route and character selection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/fightn-rage-review-destructoid-ps5-pc-xbox-switch-brawler-indie/|title=Review: Fight'N Rage|date=May 19, 2023|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219130052/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/fightn-rage-review-destructoid-ps5-pc-xbox-switch-brawler-indie/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game features six difficulty levels and numerous alternative game modes. Training Mode offers a set of tutorials teaching the player how to perform various moves, combos, and advanced techniques. Practice Mode enables the player to select and play any stage they've previously encountered. Battle Mode allows the player to fight one-on-one against a human or CPU opponent. Time Attack presents the player with a set of enemies, and grades them on how quickly they defeat them. In Score Attack, the player attempts to score as many points as possible within a time limit. In Survival Mode, the player encounters waves of enemies, and is graded on how many waves they survive.<ref name="cheats">{{Cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/220056-fightn-rage/cheats|title=Fight'N Rage Cheats, Codes, and Secrets for PC|website=Gamefaqs|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218025617/https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/220056-fightn-rage/cheats|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game features three main playable characters: a female [[Martial arts|martial artist]] named Gal, a male ninja named F.Norris, and a [[minotaur]] named Ricardo. All three have extremely distinct movesets, with Gal and F.Norris favoring fast-paced combat and huge combos, while Ricardo employs more of a brute strength wrestling style.<ref name="Guide"/> As an unlockable feature, the game also allows the player to control basically any enemy in the game, albeit these characters have narrower movesets than the main cast. Enemy characters can be used in most of the secondary game modes, or in Arcade Mode by entering a secret code.<ref name="cheats"/>
==Development== ''Fight'N Rage'' was developed by [[SebaGamesDev]] - essentially a one-man development team consisting of [[Sebastián García]]. It is SebaGameDev's first (and to date only) published game, and García performed basically all aspects of its development except for the soundtrack (composed by Gonzalo Varela) and playtesting.<ref name="dev-interview">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/a-fight-n-rage-post-mortem-the-story-behind-the-first-uruguayan-game-to-be-published-on-a-home-console|title=A Fight'N Rage post-mortem. The story behind the first Uruguayan game to be published on a home console|website=Game Developer|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218025617/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/a-fight-n-rage-post-mortem-the-story-behind-the-first-uruguayan-game-to-be-published-on-a-home-console|url-status=live}}</ref>
In an interview for Game Developer, García described the game's development history in detail:<ref name="dev-interview"/> García began his first job in the [[video game industry]] in 2005 as a pixel artist for Uruguayan game developer Batoví Games. During that time, he built simple game prototypes and learned to program in [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[ActionScript]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], and [[Microsoft XNA|XNA]].
He also worked on two beat 'em up prototypes: "Master Ninja Fighter" (independently) and "Super Vampire Ninja Zero" (with two of his colleagues). These projects were important stepping stones in developing ''Fight'N Rage'', and the prototypes contained many aspects that García would refine in his later game, including the graphical style and combo- and parry-heavy gameplay.<ref name="dev-interview"/>
Years later, García left Batoví to develop games independently, living with the support of his significant other, Giselle. After first working on and abandoning a game called "Dreamnesia", García shifted his focus to ''Fight'N Rage''. During his time developing ''Fight'N Rage'', García said that the couple endured considerable hardship, but that he did not give up when developing it.<ref name="dev-interview"/>
The game contains many noticeable callbacks to classic beat 'em ups and fighting games, both in terms of gameplay and presentation, taking inspiration from the games of the genre released in the 1980s and 90s.<ref name="dev-interview"/>
Regarding the game's challenge, he stated that the "goal was to offer the experience that I usually enjoy in video games, I like when the player has to constantly evaluate what is the best decision to take… while considering risks and rewards based on his own skills".<ref name="dev-interview"/>
===Music=== The game's soundtrack consists of over 40 songs, composed entirely by [[Gonzalo Varela]]. The music spans a diverse range of genres, fitting the various setting and scenarios in the game. The soundtrack is also available for separate purchase on [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref name="dev-interview"/>
García first recruited Varela to work with him on "Dreamnesia", which he eventually abandoned due to "feature creep", but he continued to work with Varela on the new soundtrack.<ref name="dev-interview"/>
As a point of reference, García said he sent Varela samples of songs he liked from various other fighting games and beat em ups. Typical of those games, Varela composed a large amount of "rock and instrumental metal" for ''Fight'N Rage'', but García said that in order to give "a break between the more intense tracks", the soundtrack also contains numerous "elements of jazz, funk, flamenco, Latin American music, experimental and classical music".<ref name="dev-interview"/>
To aid Varela's composition, García provided him a script to "load the game at a certain point and thus test how the different music pieces fitted{{sic}} while playing the game itself".<ref name="dev-interview"/>
==Release== The game was released for [[Windows]] on September 19, 2017. Subsequent home console releases included the [[Nintendo Switch]] [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X]]. These console ports were handled by [[BlitWorks]].<ref name="dev-interview"/><ref name="releases">{{Cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/220056-fightn-rage/data|title=Fight'N Rage Release Information for PC|website=Gamefaqs|access-date=December 18, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218025617/https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/220056-fightn-rage/data|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = NS: 79/100<ref name="MCNS">{{cite web | title = Fight'N Rage for Switch Reviews | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = December 17, 2023 | archive-date = February 6, 2026 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20260206070054/https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch | url-status = live }}</ref><br/>PC: TBD<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web | title = Fight'N Rage for PC Reviews | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = December 17, 2023 | archive-date = February 6, 2026 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20260206070054/https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | url-status = live }}</ref><br/>PS4: 83/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web | title = Fight'N Rage for PlayStation 4 Reviews | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = December 17, 2023 | archive-date = February 6, 2026 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20260206070057/https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 | url-status = live }}</ref><br/>PS5: 81/100<ref name="MCPS5">{{cite web | title = Fight'N Rage for PlayStation 5 Reviews | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = December 17, 2023 | archive-date = February 6, 2026 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20260206070101/https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 | url-status = live }}</ref><br/>XONE: 76/100<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web | title = Fight'N Rage for Xbox One Reviews | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = December 17, 2023 | archive-date = February 6, 2026 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20260206070111/https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one | url-status = live }}</ref><br/>XBSX: 80/100<ref name="MCXX">{{cite web | title = Fight'N Rage for Xbox Series X Reviews | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = December 17, 2023 | archive-date = February 6, 2026 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20260206070119/https://www.metacritic.com/game/fightn-rage/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x | url-status = live }}</ref> }}
''Fight'N Rage'' received "generally favorable" reviews, according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCNS"/><ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS4"/><ref name="MCPS5"/><ref name="MCXONE"/><ref name="MCXX"/> Joel Couture of ''CGMagazine'' wrote that "''Fight'N Rage'' easily deserves a spot alongside ''[[Streets of Rage]]'', ''[[Double Dragon]]'', and ''[[Final Fight]]'', offering extremely satisfying action, sharp foes, deep movesets, solid music, and delightful punches".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/fightn-rage-pc-review-mandatory-brawling|title=Fight'N Rage PC Review: Mandatory Brawling|website=CGMagazine|date=October 11, 2017|access-date=December 17, 2023|archive-date=December 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217180324/https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/fightn-rage-pc-review-mandatory-brawling|url-status=live}}</ref> Regarding the Switch port, PJ O'Reilly of ''Nintendolife'' wrote that "its surprisingly deep and satisfyingly weighty combat engine combined with three strong and varied player characters and a host of cleverly-designed enemies elevate it above the usual button-mashing experience perhaps expected of entries in this genre".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/fightn_rage1|title=Fight'N Rage Switch Review|website=Nintendolife|date=October 2, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2023|archive-date=December 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217180324/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/fightn_rage1|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official|https://blitworks.com/game/fight-n-rage/}}
[[Category:2017 video games]] [[Category:BlitWorks games]] [[Category:Cooperative video games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Side-scrolling beat 'em ups]] [[Category:Video games about ninja]] [[Category:Video games developed in Uruguay]] [[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]