Streets of Rage 3/Bare Knuckle 3 (JP)(MD, 1994)

Graphics-8 (8.5) Sound-6.5 Control-9 Challenge-7 Story-5, ?j
Level Design-6.5 Frustration-7.5 Fun-7.5, 8j/7*, 7.5j* Orig-6
Overall Score-7.5
j=JP ver.
*1p
+ Multiple paths, some gameplay innovations (running, weapon specials), improved combat system overall (Blaze is stronger), decent cutscenes
- Western version is censored and much more challenging/tedious, some boring and ugly enemies, poor palette choices overall, mostly poor soundtrack (noisy and random with only a few exceptions, sound quality is great in the more traditional tracks), pretty repetitive, some very tedious segments (the mine), no Max or Adam, you can't fight vertically (only to some degree using certain attacks), lifebar on weapons which is drained even for standard attacks (only has a purpose as limiting number of specials)
Level Design-6.5 Frustration-7.5 Fun-7.5, 8j/7*, 7.5j* Orig-6
Overall Score-7.5
j=JP ver.
*1p
+ Multiple paths, some gameplay innovations (running, weapon specials), improved combat system overall (Blaze is stronger), decent cutscenes
- Western version is censored and much more challenging/tedious, some boring and ugly enemies, poor palette choices overall, mostly poor soundtrack (noisy and random with only a few exceptions, sound quality is great in the more traditional tracks), pretty repetitive, some very tedious segments (the mine), no Max or Adam, you can't fight vertically (only to some degree using certain attacks), lifebar on weapons which is drained even for standard attacks (only has a purpose as limiting number of specials)