Bitmap Bureau Smashes Out of Southampton
Bitmap Bureau is a UK development studio with a passion for creating fast-paced, arcade-style games that take inspiration from some of the all-time classics. Founded in 2016 by Mike Tucker and Matthew Cope, the studio is based in Southampton, with the pair having previously worked together at Infospace Games.
The studio's name, Bitmap Bureau, was chosen to reflect their specialty in 2D games with strong pixel art. The word "bitmap" is a reference to the early days of video games, when games were made up of individual pixels. The studio's games are a tribute to this era, with their vibrant pixel art and retro stylings.
Bitmap Bureau has released several games, including the phenomenal Xeno Crisis, which is heavily inspired by the arcade hit Smash TV. More recently they released the beautifully animated Battle Axe, and in 2022, Final Vendetta which has recently celebrated it’s one year anniversary.
Final Vendetta is a 2D side-scrolling beat ‘em up inspired by the likes of Double Dragon, Final Fight and Streets of Rage and features original music by Utah Saints. Just like Xeno Crisis, Final Vendetta is receiving an original homecart release for the Neo Geo platform in the near future.
The game it reminded me most of was Konami’s Violent Storm, a fairly obscure arcade release which was part of the Crime Fighters trilogy which also featured the unforgettable Vendetta from 1991. The fast-paced gameplay and efficient dispatching of enemies really enhanced the experience and made sure you didn’t get too stuck in one area for too long.
The game features three playable characters: Clare Sparks, Duke, and Miller. Each character has their own unique moveset, which allows for a variety of playstyles. Clare is a fast and agile character with a focus on kicking, Duke is a well-rounded character with a mix of punches and kicks, and Miller is a slow but powerful character with devastating grapple moves. These attributes have been a staple of the genre since the release of Final Fight in 1989.
The game is set in a dystopian future where a corrupt corporation known as Syndic8 has taken over the city. Clare's sister has been kidnapped by Syndic8, and she sets out on a journey to rescue her with the help of Duke and Miller.
The gameplay in Final Vendetta is classic beat-em-up fare. You'll punch, kick, and throw your way through waves of enemies, using special moves and weapons to take them down. The game is challenging but fair, and it's satisfying to learn the enemy patterns and perfect your combos. I did feel a little let down by some of the boss encounters, as their attack patterns were often very easy to learn and avoid, but overall there is a good variety in enemy types.
The graphics in Final Vendetta are top-notch. The pixel art is vibrant and detailed, and the animation is smooth and fluid. Some of the design and animation reminded me of Street Fighter III and some of SNK’s offerings in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. The music is also excellent, with a very catchy soundtrack that perfectly complements the on-screen action.
One of the few downsides to Final Vendetta is its lack of a continue feature. If you lose all of your lives, you'll have to start the entire game over from the beginning or use the level select feature. This can be frustrating, especially if you're close to the end and want to complete the game in one continuous playthrough to reach a high score. It also lacks an online multiplayer feature, which is a slight disappointment but couch co-op does always work best with this kind of game.
Overall, Final Vendetta is a great game that fans of classic beat-em-ups will love. It's very challenging, plays well, and is visually stunning. Collector’s are always treated to an exceptionally high standard of physical game release from Bitmap Bureau, and this trend looks to continue.
