Fighting Force

Fighting Force is a 3D beat 'em up developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive, originally released for the PlayStation in 1997.

In Fighting Force, you step into the shoes of one of four distinct characters – Hawk, Honey, Dr. Turner, or Ben – each possessing their own fighting style. Your objective is to stop the nefarious Dr. Havoc and his plan to destroy the world. To do this, you'll navigate through a series of urban environments, from city streets and docks to industrial complexes and laboratories. As you move forward, you'll encounter numerous enemy types, often in groups, who will attack you relentlessly.

The core gameplay involves close-quarters combat. You use a combination of punches, kicks, grapples, and special moves to take down your opponents. Beyond your basic attacks, the environment is your ally. You can pick up and use a wide array of objects as makeshift weapons, such as pipes, trash cans, bats, knives, and even burning barrels. Throwing these items or smashing enemies with them adds a layer of tactical variety to the brawls. Fighting Force also supports cooperative play for two players, allowing friends to team up and clear stages together, a common and welcome feature for the genre.

Progression in Fighting Force is linear; you move from one area to the next, clearing out enemies before the path ahead opens up. The game emphasizes straightforward action and crowd control, requiring you to manage multiple attackers simultaneously. Successfully defeating all enemies in an area allows you to proceed to the next section, bringing you closer to confronting Dr. Havoc and his ultimate plan.