Ogre Tale (v1.03)

A colorful Japanese folktale gets turned inside out in this compact side-scrolling brawler, where the supposed heroes become the problem and a trio of ogre girls has to clean up the mess. Ogre Tale trades grim mythology for broad comedy, anime-styled charm, and plenty of supernatural chaos as Momotaro’s descendant unleashes yokai across the countryside for no better reason than personal boredom. The result is a light, deliberately silly adventure built around familiar legends, eccentric enemies, and a revenge story that never takes itself too seriously.

Players choose between three distinct ogre heroines and punch, kick, throw, and special-move their way through linear stages packed with monsters and Momotaro’s followers. Combat follows an old-school beat-’em-up rhythm: clear groups of enemies, keep pressure on bosses, grab useful pickups, and learn when to use each character’s stronger attacks instead of mashing through every encounter. The controls are approachable, but positioning and crowd management matter once enemies start attacking from both sides of the screen. Local co-op supports up to three players, making the simple arcade action far more entertaining when friends can join the brawl and combine their attacks against a crowded screen.

Its biggest strength is the setting. Japanese folklore is not merely decorative here; the game uses ogres, yokai, and twisted storybook expectations to give its cartoonish stages a personality many budget brawlers lack. Bright sprites, exaggerated animations, and comic dialogue keep the mood breezy even when the action becomes busy, although the campaign is relatively short and the combat does not offer the depth of genre heavyweights. Players who enjoy the straightforward co-op energy of Streets of Rage or the playful attitude of River City Girls should find plenty to like, especially if they want an accessible, folklore-flavored brawler rather than a demanding technical fighter.