This 2D brawler is like Double Dragon meets Double Fine in a synth-soaked ’80s wonderland

GamesThis 2D brawler is like Double Dragon meets Double Fine in a synth-soaked ’80s wonderlandWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Phew Phew Games)

Agent 70, the hero of Anomaly Agent.

Anomaly Agentfeels like a tie-in game for an ’80s movie that never existed.

The first game from developer Phew Phew Games, Anomaly Agent starts with a bang. You’re dropped into the action mid-mission, your boss harping at you over the radio to stay focused while interdimensional anomalies crop up all around you. You play as Agent 70, a gangly fellow dressed all in white, and you belong to TDAY, a group of agents tasked with investigating fractures in the space-time continuum that threaten reality itself. The first anomaly you encounter has you battling hordes of enemies along with a giant orb monster that can flip gravity and make you fight on the ceiling. Shortly after, a futuristically-dressed figure called the Artist pops up just long enough to hint at a wider story before disappearing again—but if you’re anything like me, you’ll be too busy punching your way through robots and clones and orbs to take much notice of the larger plot.

Anomaly Agent’s combat starts simply, with just a single melee combo and the ability to throw a business card to stun enemies. Quickly, though, you get a gun and the ability to parry, adding necessary complexity to fights in a game that is, outside of some fine-enough platforming sequences, mostly about the brawls. Everything feels tight and satisfying, especially that parry—you really feel its impact every time you pull it off, stunning enemies and leaving them open to your ever-increasing arsenal of combos. You gain new combat tools at a steady pace, ramping up the complexity just enough to keep each new stage feeling fresh.

(Image credit: Phew Phew Games)

Agent 70 attacking a group of enemies in Anomaly Agent.

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There’s a hint of Double Fine to it all, particularly when the silliness sometimes belies a more serious pathos going on beneath. That farting dude? He’s actually really worried that his coworkers don’t take him seriously. He, uh… yeah, he probably should be, actually.

(Image credit: Phew Phew Games)

Agent 70 walking along neon-lit streets in Anomaly Agent.

I’m excited to spend more time with Anomaly Agent to see through its story, which involves hunting down four reality-troubling bosses in total—I’ve only wrangled with two so far. At this stage, combat has evolved to include combos where you mix melee with ranged combat, and I’ve put points into increasing my parrying capabilities—resulting in fluid fights that feel almost Sekiro-esque. Between its catchy soundtrack, charming sense of humor, and satisfying action, Anomaly Agent makes a good case for keeping ’80s nostalgia going a little longer yet.

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