Castle Crashers is a beat ’em up game released by The Behemoth in 2008. Originally released on the Xbox Live Arcade (Xbox 360), it would eventually find its way to all major gaming consoles and PC. Castle Crashers was considered a commercial hit. The unique art style and incredible cooperative gameplay resonated with players, giving the game serious staying power in the market.
Castle Crashers is a cooperative beat ’em up game with many similarities to classics like Double Dragon. Players move across the screen (with arrow prompts) attacking the hordes of enemies they are presented with. Each playable character has a different ability focus (strength, defense, etc) and can use different weapons. Mashing buttons in quick succession will allow players to put together devastating combos. While the gameplay follows the established formula of beat ’em ups from the 80s and 90s, Castle Crashers adds a lot more variety in terms of player progression through ability points. A perfect mix of old and new school.
Immediately after loading up Castle Crashers the art pops right out at you. The beautiful hand-drawn digitized graphics are fun and refreshing. In the age of indie game pixel art, The Behemoth broke the mold. From chaotic backdrops to the over-the-top boss encounters, the art style is totally cohesive. Even the UI has a colorful, sketched look. All the elements of the game tie together seamlessly. The result is a wild, wacky visual composition that works. Castle Crashers is instantly recognizable. And it looks amazing.
Our favorite thing about Castle Crashers is the couch co-op. Jumping in a local game with friends is an absolute blast. Since each knight has unique weapons and skills, working together is beneficial. Pummel enemies with a mace while your teammate picks them off from afar with arrows. Moving through the game as a team requires coordination and awareness. Man down? No problem. Revive them. In a time when multiplayer cooperative play (this game has that too) is ruling the world, Castle Crashers delivers an amazing nostalgic experience. This game feels like it belongs in an arcade.
If you haven’t played Castle Crashers yet, you should. The gameplay is old school, the art is not, and the couch co-op is unmatched. Solo play is becoming the norm in games today. Nothing wrong with that. But if you get the itch for some old school beat ’em up mayhem, Castle Crashers is a must.
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