River City Girls 2
Co-Optimus: I always enjoy wielding weapons in a beat ‘em up. What kind of weapons will River City Girls 2 have to offer?
Bannon Rudis: We added in a couple new weapons. Also some accessories that affect your weapons as well. The saxophone is one of my new favorites.
Co-Optimus: What’s the cooperative experience like in RCG2? Do the enemies still beat the living player down while he or she tries to revive a downed partner? ;)
Bannon Rudis: Reviving is much easier this time around, and we are far more forgiving… when players are defeated. They can either restart in the same scene (with all their items back) for a cost, or they can choose to go back to their last hideout with all their items and health to regroup for no cost at all.
Colleen Fannin: Even though it’s more forgiving in RCG2, Normal mode is still very hard for me. :’)
River City Girls 2
Co-Optimus: While we’re talking about online co-op, how does the game manage two players with different save files joining the same game? Does the non-host player get to make progress on their own save file when joining someone else’s game?
Bannon Rudis: This was one of the trickiest things about this game to manage. If you and a friend stick together and play the game side by side from the beginning, you'll be on the same path together. If you join a game already in progress, you're considered a guest in the host's city and you won't progress your story. You'll gain money and XP, keeping whatever accessories and items you buy, but none of the main storyline items are awarded to guest players. That way, you don't suddenly jump past story progression in your own game.
Provie and Marian (River City Girls 2)
Co-Optimus: In the first game, players started as Misako and Kyoko but could eventually unlock Kunio and Riki. Who is playable at the start of the sequel, and whom will we be unlocking further in the game?
Bannon Rudis: You'll have access to all four of the main characters from the start. They've all gotten a glow up too with how they fight and function. Additionally, Provie [from River City Ransom: Underground] and Marian [from Double Dragon] are available very early on in the game.
Co-Optimus: Speaking of characters from River City Ransom: Underground, I always felt that game missed a huge part of its audience by only coming out on PC. Given that you, Bannon, worked on both Underground and River City Girls, is there any chance that WayForward could someday bring back Underground on newer systems as it has recently done with River City Girls Zero?
Bannon Rudis: I've gotten this question many times since the game came out. My answer is always the same. I would love for the game to be on every platform ever made and beyond, but due to legal stuff I cannot talk about, it's unfortunately probably never going to happen. Sorry.
River City Ransom: Underground (Provie at top)
Co-Optimus: That’s a downer! Getting back to games that will happen, have you shared a release window for River City Girls 2 yet?
Bannon Rudis: We tell everyone late summer. So start practicing your 100-hit combos.
Colleen Fannin: Summertime! Grab a flower crown and get ready for fisticuffs!
River City Girls 2
Co-Optimus: Finally, is there anything else you can tell us about River City Girls 2?
Bannon Rudis: I think people are going to be blown away by the sheer size of the city. It's honestly not like any game out there right now. It's a classic pixel beat-’em-up that you can play online. It has ridiculous combos, free-roaming mechanics, plenty of characters to meet and interact with, huge levels, and secrets tucked away in every little nook and cranny. I would be shocked if players found most of the stuff during their first couple times playing through the game. I think players are going to love exploring the city while beating up everyone in their path.
Adam Tierney: And while you’re waiting for RCG2, go check out RCG1 and RCG Zero. All three games stand on their own, but if you’ve played through River City Girls and Zero first, you’ll have an even deeper understanding of the characters and rivalries we’re focusing on in the sequel.
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River City Girls 2 will launch on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Steam in 2022. The first River City Girls is now available on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Steam. River City Girls Zero is out now on Switch and coming to Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam in 2022.