Thank you Degica for sending us this game to review!

Koihime Enbu RyoRaiRai was the 2018 refresh of the original Koihime Enbu, which I reviewed here. From a high level, the games are largely similar - almost everything about that version of the game applies here, with some differences. The main changes is that the original Koihime Enbu was based on the home console releases, and has a scenario mode that tells something that resembles a story. RyoRaiRai is a 'reset' to the series, rebasing the fighting mechanics on the arcade version, with a renewed focus on character balancing. Because the technology underneath changed, they decided to make a new release with RyoRaiRai by itself - while also steeply discounting the original game, for those who want to play the scenario mode. They then discounted them all again with the release of Version 3. After these steep price cuts, you can now buy all three of them on Steam for less than $25 - and that's without a sale.

This time, because of the newer arcade system base, they released Version 3 as DLC. However, unlike many other games that use DLC for more content, this DLC includes not only new characters, but a further rebalance, as well as redrawn animations for all of the other characters. As a result, disabling the DLC in Steam requires redownloading the entire base RyoRaiRai again (I'll sometimes call it Version 2 for simplicity). So, if you ever want to directly compare versions 2 and 3, or play online with the different lobbies (they can't cross play), copy the installation folder for Version 2 somewhere else before upgrading or installing the DLC, as otherwise switching between them is a 4GB+ download.

Koihime Enbu RyoRaiRai appears to be just a generic anime fighter. And in some ways, it is – its source material is a rather obscure set of visual novels, Koihime Musou, and the whole roster of characters is girls. Who hasn't heard of an all girl anime fighting game cast? These days, it seems more rare to find a guy in games like this. Despite that, under the hood there seems to be a pretty solid fighting experience.

Like many 2D fighting games, this seems to take a fair amount of inspiration from Street Fighter, with many of the moves taking the form of the common quarter circle forward (QCF) or forward down forward (FDF) movesets. Most of the girls also carry a weapon, and much of the caution and timing that I found useful in Samurai Shodown applies here, though much faster paced. Most of the attacks can either be chained into a combo, or counters can be executed, providing openings for more attacks or counters. Honestly, the actual mechanics of fighting are pretty good, and can keep your interest for a while.

There are fourteen different playable characters in Version 2, with an additional character in Version 3, which brings the main roster up to fifteen. There are also eight assist characters in base RyoRaiRai, with nine in Version 3. Each one plays quite differently, with various rhythms, speeds, attacks, and ranges. In arcade mode, each fighter can choose one of the assist characters. (This was a change from the base Koihime Enbu, where characters were assigned assists, and you could only choose one of two.) They affect what the 'assist' attack does. Sometimes it directly damages an opponent, while others immobilize them in some way. It can really come in handy!

There is a 'tactics' meter, which is similar to Street Fighter's Super Gauge. It has four levels, with various moves, like the assist moves, using one meter, and super and ultimate moves using three or four. These can really change the momentum of a battle, as once you start attacking, a skilled player can combo those together to drop some serious health.

There is the aforementioned arcade mode, which is likely very similar to the physical arcade machines from Japan that this game is based on. There is an excellent training mode, with challenges, which are handy. Lastly, there are online and vs. modes. The one time I tried to play online I was unable to find someone to play against, but there is an active community on the Steam forums, so I'm sure you can work something out. There is also remote play together support. I did try a few local bouts and everything worked as expected. There is also a gallery, where you can view various animations that you have seen in-game at least once.

The pixel graphics, effects, and backgrounds really look great. I've always appreciated pixel art where it is appropriate, and it looks really nice here. The characters themselves seem a bit lower resolution than some of the portraits and other things, but it's not too distracting. Animations also look great. Both the characters and animations were improved in each version since the original Koihime Enbu, with Version 3 being the best one yet. The game has mixed compatibility with Linux via Steam's Proton, with only older versions of Proton working at this time. I hope it gets better, but it's not the fault of the developers of this game, regardless.

The music is pretty good, and the sound effects of each attack and impact hit with an appropriate amount of oomph. The sound track is also available for a very reasonable $4.99, and includes FLAC and MP3. It's always great when FLACs are included, as that is uncompressed CD (or better) quality.

Appropriateness wise, Koihime Enbu is a mixed bag. Violence is as expected, with punches, kicks, and various weapon attacks that hit your opponent. Some attacks cause red blood splatters, though most do not. I did not notice any curse words, though it is possible that there may be some I have not seen. Several girls are seen drinking, with one in particular making light of drunkenness repeatedly. A few of the characters use magic or magic-like attacks. The majority of the moral warnings that I would point out are related to sexual content.

Several of the girls are large breasted, and many of them show some form of cleavage. Some top view, some bottom view, some side view. Almost all wear form-fitting clothes, even if they don't show any skin in that area. Some midriffs are also shown. Several characters also have visible panties, sometimes in their normal stances, or occasionally while fighting.

Some of the girls seem to have homosexual attraction towards other girls. Several of the endings revolve around feelings that one girl or another has with another. There are a few other scenes with girls at a hot spring or wearing bikinis at a beach. There is also a bedroom scene with visible underwear (that is the daydream of another of the girls).

Koihime Enbu RyoRaiRai (along with Version 3) is a fairly solid fighting game with good mechanics and nice production values. The quantity of content is acceptable, especially considering the price it's available at these days. If it wasn't for the questionable content in places, it would be easy to recommend for its competent fighting game system, especially during sales. As it is, I expect this game to gather a small but dedicated community, like many other less popular fighting games. Given the very reasonable pricing of all of the entries, I think it's fair to say that they are worth a look for any fighting game fans - as long as the other objectionable content doesn't turn you away.