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Ten Ton Hammer has posted a new review of Paradox Interactive's The Showdown Effect. The 2.5D multiplayer action game is inspired by 80’s and 90’s action movies "where champions from different eras of time fight to the death, for fun, for glory and for awesome." In the game players will battle for the upper hand using a variety of different weapons.

In addition to elevator movement, players can slip through grates by jumping downward, double tap the A or D keys to quickly tumble toward or away from an opponent, jump and hold the A or D keys to slowly slide down a wall while aiming. Shift throws the weapon in your hand, right mouse blocks, and Crtl triggers your special ability. But, most importantly, hit B to bandage at any time. Forget to bandage and the best you'll do is trade kills with your enemies.

It's a lot to take in, especially when you just want to go in guns blazing, But controls mastery is a must, as are the fast firing neurons and reflexes to use them if you're going to compete. Unfortunately, the cartoon strip tutorial is marginally better than simply studying the key bindings, but you'll do most of your learning in the heat of PvP battle.

So, that's the tactical side. On the mayhem mashup side, you'll wield everything from claymores to crossbows to bolt-action rifles, SMGs, shotguns, short-delay RPGs, and more. Or go weaponless to work your fists of fury, since kung fu is the fastest weapon of all. In addition to weapons, each of the game's 8 unique characters comes with a baked in plot, an assortment of adapted one-liners to trot out constantly, and a unique special ability. For example, Dutch McClone is a kindergarten teacher trying to regain his identity and has a suspiciously outrageous Austrian accent. Just when we thought we had him nailed as Arnold, McClone's special ability is a short duration shield, which hints at a certain unbreakable character that dies with great difficulty, if you catch my drift.

Ten Ton Hammer: The Showdown Effect Review

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The Showdown Effect (add to watch list)

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