Final Vendetta is a brawling game like classic 1990s arcade games, Final Fight, Double Dragon, Body Blows and Streets Of Rage. You control a street-fighting character with an array of moves to learn so you can progress through the waves of different enemies. It works by combining the more intricate blocking combat of fighting games with the fun and freedom of a linear series of levels to complete.

Play involves using an array of moves, blocks, rushes, dodges and super-strikes. At first it seems like you have just a few of these moves assigned to each button, but you soon discover the number of attacks on offer is huge. By combining buttons, running and positioning you can pull off a large number of offensive and defensive options. Get really good and you can string these together to hit and catch enemies in the air.

It's a hard game, even on the easiest setting. If you run out of lives you need to start from the beginning. But for those where this barrier isn't insurmountable it offers a tough challenge like was found in the arcades. As you repeat each level you learn which moves work on which enemies and how to use the specific attacks of each of the three player-characters most effectively:

• Claire Sparks, a student and martial arts expert, who has become unwillingly embroiled in the rescue of her sister.
• Duke Sancho is a quick-witted, bare-knuckle fighter from London, earning his nickname after a brawl in the Duke of Wellington pub.
• Miller T. Williams, a Canadian ex-pro wrestler, controversially removed from competitions for use of excessive force. Together the three friends must battle their way through the streets of London on a dangerous journey to bring back Claire’s sister!

The result is a beautiful looking and sounding game that pulls no punches. Improving your progress and score is really satisfying as you learn to master the different systems. Played cooperatively this is a great way to get sentimental about the old arcades or just have a good time in its own right.