Smash Girls

Not many games mix the narrative depth of visual novels with the fast-paced action of fighting games, but Smash Girls manages to do it with a unique flair. The game follows Sosuke—a reluctant recruit into his late father's mafia organization, the Kyoukakai Association. His mission? To clean up the city by taking down an evil syndicate, armed only with his combat skills, a charismatic bodyguard, and even a penguin sidekick.

What's appealing about Smash Girls is that it doesn't take itself too seriously from the start. The game livens things up with bizarre enemies, over-the-top humor, and a cast of leading ladies who each bring charm to the table. You'll pull in the punters by telling anyone there's an adult genre fighter that looks half-decent.

Quick Smash?

So, let's deep-dive into Smash Girls; the game seems to be a straightforward mafia revenge tale, yet it quickly evolves into something more. It's in a visual novel format, allowing players to explore different storylines for each heroine. Surprisingly, moments of comedy, drama, and even tenderness offer refreshing breaks from the bashings you'll get into.

Regarding gameplay, Smash Girls takes cues from your classic arcade fighter titles. You'll engage in platform-based combat, building up your opponent's "smash" meter before launching them off the stage. It's a straightforward system that rewards clever positioning and timing but doesn't lose its entertainment value. Those powerful finishers that you lead up to always feel fabulous no matter how many times you play them. The mechanics are easy to pick up, but mastering them requires some practice, especially against stricter foes with advanced AI.

While the game features six playable characters, only four appear in story mode. Each fighter brings unique strengths and weaknesses, but balancing issues means that some—like Mio and Shigure—often overshadow the rest. The imbalance, occasional sluggish controls, and input lag can sometimes make battles feel a bit off-kilter.

We have to give it to the developers that Smash Girls is a quirky yet entertaining blend of fighting game action and visual novel storytelling. The combat is satisfying, even if it sometimes suffers from balance and responsiveness issues, and the erotic scenes are tastefully done, featuring high-quality animation and a diverse array of scenarios that are sure to please.

Lewd and Clear

Smash Girls is an unusual but entertaining hybrid of fighting game mechanics and visual novel storytelling. Yes, we know the plot doesn't break new ground; the character interactions and humor keep things interesting. The combat system is fun and satisfying, though balancing issues and control responsiveness leave room for improvement. The erotic content is well-executed, offering high-quality animation and a diverse selection of scenes that will appeal to most players.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Excellent high-quality artwork and Live2D animations
• Multiple story paths with engaging character interactions
• A unique mix of fighting mechanics and visual novel storytelling

Cons:

• Unresponsive controls and occasional input lag
• Poor character balance, making some fighters significantly stronger
• Slow and generic start before the story picks up

Smash Girls is a pixel action fighting game with platformer elements that will capture your mind for a long time. The port city of Koto has become a haven not only for ships, but also for a whole variety of criminal gangs. However, the accident that left the city without 12 powerful gangs created all the conditions for the beginning of a full-fledged war. Who will sit on the throne this time? Will the only remaining members of the past gangs participate in the form of a penguin and girl duo? Get on the front lines of this new war and bring powerful new allies to your gang.

Game Pros:

• Dynamic battles using only the best fighters
• Explicit design of heroines and their fighting abilities