This week’s freebie from theEpic Games Storeis an energetic beat-‘em-up from developer WayFoward. Originally released by WayForward in 2019 as a spinoff to the studio’sKunio-kunfranchise,River City Girlsis vibrant, colorful, and packed with charming retro graphics that make it stand out from other popular brawler games.
This week, theEpic Games Storeon mobile is also offeringBridge Constructor: The Walking DeadandIdle Champions of the Forgotten Realms (Astarion Champions of Renown Pack)for free.Players who want to add these titles to their gaming library need to act fast:River City Girls,Bridge Constructor, andIdle Championswill only be free until April 17, at which time they’ll be replaced by new titles.
Why You Should Try River City Girls
The Game Is A Brawler With Soul
River City Girlsfocuses on two teen girls, Kyoko and Misako, who are out to avenge their boyfriends, Kunio and Riki. As the heroes of previous installments, Kunio and Riki have a target on their backs, so when they go missing, it’s up to Kyoko and Misako to save the day. The girls have to work together to take down their enemies and rescue the boys, and they’re both up for the challenge.
While there are plenty of fun brawlers on the market,River City Girlsis unique in its approach to visuals, which combines retro graphics with gorgeous anime-style cutscenes and manga panels. Unlike titles that solely focus on how much destruction players can cause,River City Girlsbrings an exciting plot and nostalgic charm to people looking for a new gaming experience —despite its controversial ending.River City Girlshas single and multiplayer capabilities, so players can dive in alone or with a friend. As a free game, there’s really nothing to lose by diving into the streets of River City.
Our Take: WayForward Has A Massive Catalog Of Classic-Inspired Games
The Developer Has Been Active Since The 1990s
Retro style games are making a bit of a comeback, and in an age where studios are scrambling to make the next big game or the latest hot console, WayForward is a breath of fresh air. The developer, while best known for the hit platformer seriesShantae,was behind the creation of several games based on children’s TV shows and movies, likeBarbie,SpongeBob SquarePants,andAdventure Time.
WayForward still has a huge catalog of classic-inspired games available for players today, including their recent releasesClock Tower: RewindandRetro Realms.Clocktower: Rewindbrought a former Japan-exclusive murder mystery to a global audience in 2024, andRetro Realmsreintroduced players toHalloweenandAsh Vs. The Evil Dead.
Why Nintendo Switch Is The Absolute Worst Choice For Retro Game Fans
Soon PlayStation will join Xbox in supporting legacy console games digitally purchased through older hardware, leaving Nintendo Switch as an outlier.
WayForward has strong roots and is proud of its storied history and is dedicated to bringing quality games to fans of all ages. Though it was released over five years ago,River City Girlsis sure to charm new audiences, and with a limited-time free release throughEpic Games, more players can become acquainted with WayForward and its philosophy of gaming.
