Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance was Cavia and Capcom’s attempt to revolutionize the beat’em up genre and win over the American market. It took heavy influence from crime and mafia films, and it’s evident throughout the game’s environments and narrative. However, Cavia and Capcom ultimately failed to deliver what they envisioned.
The game began development in late 2003 and was released in 2005 for the Xbox and PS2. Before its final release, a few changes were spotted in early builds. Here are the differences:
IGN videos and E3 2005 Previews:
- Enemies have a different HUD on top (purple)
- Enemies didn’t have a HUD originally
- Destructible environment was removed
- The Money icon position is in a different spot
- Dirt effect when slaming enemies to the ground
- Excessive blood effect during intense fights
- The camera angle when throwing the enemy off the walkway in the Train Station area (seen at 1:53) doesn’t change.
- Different clothing and hair text in shop.
- The Buy sign is different
- Brighter lights for cities in early builds
- Pressing the circle or B button to pull off the special attack didn’t deplete your health
- The notoriety symbol uses Raven’s Jacket instead of the Skull
Tatsuya Minami Interview:
- Different interrogation text color
- The text showing “recruit your enemy” is in a different position
- Name texts are different for both the player and the enemy
Beat Down Trailer
- Raven’s VA is different
- Call screen is different
- Different texts across the game altogether
- The wanted meter uses a policeman’s face in this trailer and the word “caution” near it. The final build uses a police badge instead
- Different logo of the game
- Again, the special attack doesn’t deplete your health
- Breakable environment
Images of early builds, along with three concept arts
YouTube video documenting the commercial and critical performance of the game
