HunterxHunter NenxImpact preview: Not the prettiest dish, but rich with sauce

HunterXHunter NenXImpact asks an interesting question: how important are looks for a fighting game’s success? The game is a down-dirty brawl, hilariously fun and easy to pick up. But, at the same time, it’s not exactly a looker. Getting hands on with the game at Evo 2024 I can safely say it’s now one of my most anticipated games this year, but how well it will actually do remains a mystery to me.

The game comes from the wild minds at Eighting, a beloved entity in the world of fighting games. The company has previously made legendary hits like Marvel vs Capcom 3, madcap romps like DNF Duel, and peak nonsense like Fate Unlimited Codes. It’s a favourite of mine – a developer willing to throw mass appeal to the wind in favour of truly exciting fighters with absurd combos and luscious depth. Brilliant to play and hilarious to watch, NenXImpact is in the same boat. Eighting has done it again.

A 3v3 team fighter, those familiar with Eighting’s history may suspect the game to play like Marvel vs Capcom 3, but it’s not as comparable as you might expect. Slower and not as daunting to hop into, the game is more like Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid in terms of feel and pace. You’re still rushing around at wild speeds, linking high-flying combos with powerful assists, but from my brief play period it seems more tamed. Though, give it a few months post-release and I’m certain players will be able to push NenXImpact to its limits.