River City Girls... Free: Gameplay, Art Style, Origins, and Developer Spotlight

If you're hunting for the ultimate anime beat 'em up experience to add to your collection, River City Girls... is the perfect + one... two combo! In the latest episode of Free Game 411, SDGT Entertainment dives fists-first into this colorful 2D brawler from the talented minds at WayForward and Arc System Works.

If you aren't familiar with WayForward and you love 2D pixel art masterpieces... you're missing out! 

WayForward has built a name for themselves with hit games like Shantae and Contra 4, known for their hand-drawn art and sharp gameplay. Pairing up with the masters at Arc System Works, River City Girls delivers on every front... from slick visuals to tight, satisfying action.

 About the Game: 
River City Girls puts you in control of two tough-as-nails heroines, Misako and Kyoko, on a mission to rescue their kidnapped boyfriends. With over-the-top action, RPG-lite upgrades, insane combos, and hilarious storytelling, it’s everything a modern beat 'em up should be... with just the right amount of classic arcade flavor sprinkled in. Don't think that you'll just pop up in the beginning getting the best of the baddies either... you have to build your way by way of the RPG-lite upgrades to become a certified badass.

 Art Style: 
One of the biggest standouts of River City Girls is its stunning hand-drawn 2D anime art style. Every scene feels like it’s pulled straight from a high-energy manga or anime episode. The character animations are vibrant, expressive, and full of charm, giving the game a style that's just as much fun to look at as it is to play. Be honest... the gameplay makes you want to jump in right now huh?

 Origins: 
Fun fact: River City Girls is actually a spin-off of the legendary Kunio-kun series... better known in the West for classics like River City Ransom. WayForward took the beloved formula and flipped it, putting the spotlight on the girls for once, with a fresh story and updated visuals that honor the original while carving a path all their own.

For the ladies in the house... thing about WayForward that you may notice is the fact that a number of their franchises have female protagonists. This isn't something they just decided to do, it's been a theme for quite some time in the name of doing something different. Their beloved Shantae franchise had it's first installment back in... (wait for it) June 4, 2002 for the Game Boy Color (published by Capcom)!

I'm not overlooking the fact that River City Girls was published by the legends of Arc System Works, because they've been releasing games since the mid 90's and are known for titles like... Guilty Gear + BlazBlue. I just want to give WayForward their flowers because their formula has always had this fun loving energy about them. In addition to the Shantae franchise, you also have... the Mighty Switch Force franchise, and others like... Yars Rising: 

So if you like the energy of River City Girls, you'll appreciate the catalog WayForward has to offer.

 Gameplay Style: 
At its core, River City Girls is a side-scrolling beat 'em up loaded with depth. You can bash through enemies, chain crazy combos, level up your character, unlock new moves, and even recruit defeated enemies to fight for you (use the recruits as possible to assist you in battle by pressing the... LB or L1 button on your controller). It’s a throwback that feels modern... fast, fluid, and ridiculously fun whether you're playing solo or co-op. Grab your favorite person and dive into the action... free for a limited time!

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Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX: A New Era of Gundam, Off to a Great Start!

As someone who grew up with Gundam, I’ll be honest — I wasn’t sure how much farther the franchise could stretch without losing its heart. But Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX didn’t just surprise me — it completely swept me off my feet.

Now streaming on Prime Video (with no extra Prime Channels fee), GQuuuuuuX feels like a vibrant, adrenaline-charged rebirth of the series. It’s a little louder, a little rougher around the edges — and somehow, exactly what Gundam needed in 2025.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is set in a new timeline called the Ad Stella universe, distinct from the Universal Century and other Gundam continuities. It follows on the thematic heels of The Witch from Mercury, but carves its own identity by focusing on underground mobile suit duels and hidden conflicts in a post-war society.

 A Story with Teeth 

At its core, GQuuuuuuX tells the story of Amate Yuzuriha, a student caught in the wrong place at the wrong time when she becomes entangled in a secretive and dangerous mobile suit dueling competition called Clan Battle. After meeting Nyaan, a war refugee, Amate finds herself thrust into a world of mechs, politics, and survival.

There’s a real emotional rawness to her journey. She’s not another polished ace pilot; she’s messy, scared, and deeply human — reminding me why I first fell in love with characters like Mikazuki (Iron-Blooded Orphans) and Setsuna (00).

Without giving too much away, the show's take on the Omega Psycommu System introduces some of the wildest and most visually breathtaking battle sequences Gundam has delivered in years. And yes, my fingers are crossed that the story stays as tight and character-driven as it has started — but so far, it’s keeping us strapped in without confusion.

 The Artwork? Genuinely Next-Level. 

The animation in GQuuuuuuX is stunning.

There were moments during battle scenes where I found myself pausing just to admire the detail — the energy in each beam blast, the weight behind every mobile suit clash.

Visually, the series feels like a perfect blend: the warmth and bold lines of 80s Gundam meet the precision and hyper-detail of today's animation technology. The character designs are expressive but not overdone, and the mobile suits are engineered with a grounded realism while still maintaining that classic Gundam flair.

Even if you somehow don’t vibe with the story (you will), the pure visual spectacle is worth the watch alone.

 Should You Watch It? 

Absolutely.

If you already have a Prime Video subscription, you can start watching Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX immediately — no need for extra add-ons or hidden fees. New episodes are dropping weekly, so you might want to pace yourself… or brace for some cliffhangers.

Whether you’re a Universal Century loyalist, a Witch from Mercury newcomer, or someone who’s drifted away from Gundam for a while, GQuuuuuuX delivers a refreshing, emotionally charged take on what makes Gundam special: ordinary people surviving extraordinary circumstances, and the heavy burden of the machines they pilot.

It honors the franchise’s past while fearlessly charging into new territory — a balancing act that few series manage to pull off this well.

 Get Your Gundam Fix in Game Form 

If the wait between episodes starts feeling unbearable (and trust me, it might), Mobile Suit Gundam EXTREME VS. Maxi Boost ON is ready to scratch that itch.

Available on PlayStation 4, Maxi Boost ON is a fast-paced, 2v2 arena fighter that brings together over 180 mobile suits from across the entire Gundam multiverse. Whether you want to pilot Amate’s mechanical predecessors or iconic suits from Wing, Seed, Iron-Blooded Orphans, and beyond, there's a machine (and a fighting style) for every kind of fan.

Matches are quick, chaotic, and endlessly satisfying — perfect for when you want to jump into high-energy Gundam battles without the heavy tactical pacing of traditional Gundam war games. Mastering boost dashes and lining up that game-winning melee combo is the closest thing to feeling like a Gundam ace pilot.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX proves that even after decades of stories about war, hope, and mecha, Gundam can still find new ways to represent the franchise well, and episode one is the start of something special.

See more at the offcial MobileSuit Gundam GQuuuuuuX store!

 + Sophi 

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Build a Full Gaming Setup for around $800 (Before Tech Prices Go Crazy)

You’ve probably heard all about the talks of rising tariffs on various goods — tech isn't going to be spared.

It’s kind of unfair that regular people — like you and me — are the ones who have to deal with it. 😤 But if you need or want a gaming PC before the prices likely jump — I created this article to present options to you with today's price! While the getting's good, you can still score an awesome full gaming setup (PC + monitor + gaming keyboard & mouse + speakers + controller + a desk) for around $800!

Here’s how you can do it:

PC: ACEMAGIC Mini Gaming PC — $559

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX (basically, really fast)

• Graphics: AMD Radeon 680M (great for 1080p gaming)

• Memory: 32GB of RAM (smooth multitasking)

• Storage: 512GB SSD (super quick game load times)

This little beast looks small, but it hits hard — perfect for gaming without needing a giant tower. The dial on top gives you different performance types from silent, to auto, to performance. The max ram is 64GB!

Monitor: Samsung 27" S3 Series — $109.99

• Full HD 1080p resolution

• 75Hz refresh rate (smoother than your old 60Hz screens)

• Big enough for gaming, tasks, movies — whatever you want.

Keyboard + Mouse: AJAZZ AK680 Combo — $39.99

• Mechanical keyboard (clicky, satisfying keys)

• Gaming mouse with fast response time.

Trust me, your Fortnite skills are gonna feel way sharper.

Controller: 8BitDo Ultimate 2C - Black Myth: Wukong Edition — $31.57

• Wireless and comfy

• Works with PC and Android

• Bonus: It's got a sick custom design.

Perfect for games that feel better with a controller instead of a mouse and keyboard. Yes, you can play on PC with a controller!

Speakers: Logitech Z313 2.1 System — $59.99

• Two speakers + one subwoofer = BOOMING bass

• Loud enough for movies, music, and blowing up stuff in games.

Your neighbors might not thank you in those "luxury" apartments — but hey, worth it.

Desk: PayLessHere 32" Computer Desk — $19.99

• Simple, sturdy, easy to set up.

• Fits the mini PC, monitor, speakers, keyboard + mouse, and snacks!

This could be the desk and PC you use for your next remote job, side hustle, or business endeavor.

If you have money to spare, there are plenty of options for erogonomic office chairs. Always consider your weight when it comes to what the chair can hold. If you like a chair, but it can't support your weight, replace the chair lift cylinder with a third party option able to hold up to 1000lbs. 

 Total Cost Breakdown 

Item	Price
ACEMAGIC Mini Gaming PC	$559
Samsung 27" Monitor	$109.99
AJAZZ Keyboard + Mouse	$39.99
8BitDo Controller	$31.57
Logitech Speakers	$59.99
Computer Desk	$19.99
Total	$820.53

A tiny bit over $800 (before taxes), but honestly — totally worth it.

What Can This Setup Actually Play?

This PC may be small, but it can handle some seriously gorgeous games. Here’s what you can play on good settings at 1080p, according to (System Requirements Lab):

• Cyberpunk 2077 (on Medium — looks good)

• Elden Ring (perfect for dying... beautifully)

• Hogwarts Legacy (live your wizard dreams)

• Forza Horizon 5 (race shiny cars in 4K-style glory)

• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (be a space ninja)

Just tweak a few settings for better frame rates, and you’ll have an epic time.

Yeah, it stinks that tech prices will likely get jacked up by stuff we can’t control. But if you’re smart about it, you can still grab an awesome, full-blown gaming setup without selling your kidney.

Stay sharp. Game harder. And keep hunting those deals.

 + Blu 

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