The Peace Keepers, also known as Rushing Beat Syura in Japan, is a beat 'em up video game that made its way to the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom in 1993. As the final installment in the Rushing Beat trilogy, it succeeded Rival Turf! and Brawl Brothers, even though these three games were localized under different titles in North America. The game follows the beat 'em up genre, inviting players to navigate through various levels while engaging in intense combat with adversaries.
This is a side-scrolling beat 'em up game that shares similarities with many other titles in the genre. Players select a character and navigate through levels filled with numerous enemies. The gameplay primarily involves punching, kicking, and progressing through the stages, following a pattern that is common in many side-scrolling beat 'em up games.
The Story
It is a post-war world dominated by a powerful corporation, promising prosperity through its army of robots known as The PeaceKeepers. However, suspicions rise about genetic experiments gone wrong, with reports of altered individuals and rogue PeaceKeeper robots causing havoc. Despite most of the world turning a blind eye to these rumors, a group of young heroes decides to investigate firsthand. Players assume control of these heroes, engaging in a fast-paced, action-packed journey filled with intense combat. Mastering each character's unique special moves becomes crucial as they navigate through hordes of enemies to unveil the secrets behind The PeaceKeepers.
The Graphics and Sound
The graphics are considered decent, with attention to detail in character animations, showcasing features like the girl's short shorts. However, the character designs are somewhat unoriginal, resembling everyday people, except for the undead fire-breathing character. The boss designs, on the other hand, are praised for their monstrous and intimidating appearance. The game's settings are well-detailed, featuring elements like rats in the sewer stage and trash littered on the streets.
Unfortunately, the game lacks substantial music, with very little or none at all. Sound effects are standard, including the expected impacts of punches and kicks, as well as the sound of a metal pipe hitting enemies.
The Gameplay
In The Peace Keepers, you can choose from three characters: a high school-looking guy, a girl with very short shorts, and an undead character who breathes fire. The game allows both single-player and two-player modes. As you progress, you encounter various enemies, some with distinctive features, like an obese opponent who grabs and throws you.
The characters have different moves, including punch and kick combos, a powerful special move that uses your health, and a limited-use move that clears the area of enemies. Occasionally, you can find weapons like knives and sticks on the ground, but these tend to disappear after a few uses. The enemies become tougher as you advance, with different colors and larger health bars.
The replay value here is decent, especially in the co-op mode, which is the most enjoyable way to play the game.
My Verdict
The Peace Keepers is a standard side-scrolling game that might not stand out if you're seeking something above average. However, if you're simply looking for a side-scrolling game to pass the time, you can play it for a few minutes or maybe even finish it in about an hour since it is relatively damn easy.
Play it on the great Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a desired emulator.