I really hope that the release of Darkstalkers Resurrection is just Capcom's way of seeing if their long-dormant mythological fighter franchise has a future. While Darkstalkers always seemed to live in the shadows of the likes of Street Fighter and Marvel vs. Capcom, it has always been an enjoyable property, thanks to its refusal to stay grounded in anything even remotely resembling the real world. Its cast of characters has always been its selling point, and a strong one, at that. Darkstalkers Resurrection is two games for the price of one. Two very great games.

Since Darkstalkers Resurrection hearkens back to a time when visual displays for video games were much simpler, you might be hoping for something that takes advantage of the different aspect ratios of most modern televisions. If you are, you might be disappointed, as this isn't a full-blown HD remake. However, this potential drawback comes with silver linings. You can tinker with it to make it fill the entire screen (though I do not recommend this), or you can pay attention to what the developers have done with the otherwise dead space. As you fight, the game tracks what you do, and as you perform certain feats, you unlock awards, which appear in the black columns that would have otherwise seen no use at all. I've always loved the colorful and fantastical look of all the Darkstalkers games. The characters are absolutely insane-looking, and each animate in a way that totally fits with their appearances.

If you were to launch Darkstalkers Resurrection and close your eyes, you might find yourself whisked back in time to the days of dimly-lit, murky arcades that prided themselves on their wealth of fighting game machines. Make no mistake: this is as arcadey as it gets. Between the chaotic fighting sounds and the constant chatter of combatants, Darkstalkers Resurrection is a true blast from the past for your auditory senses.

I've been hoping that Iron Galaxy Studios would be the ones to bring an updated version of Darkstalkers to the current generation; their excellent Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online proved that they were the ones to go to when it came to that very specific kind of remake. Well, not only were my prayers answered, but they included two games: Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge and Darkstalkers 3.

Think of as many creatures of the night as you can. Chances are, most of them are in the roster. Not sick of vampires yet? Perennial hero Demitri Maximoff is standing by. You want to play as a mummy? Choose Anakaris. Werewolf? The noble Jon Talbain is yours to command. Hell, you want to play as a Yeti? Sasquatch, nuff said. Of course, you can play as Morrigan, everyone's favorite succubus. How about Frankenstein's Monster? Victor von Gerdenheim is still plenty mad, even after all these years. The diversity on display is really something, and after you factor in each character's wildly different fighting styles and skills, you begin to realize that perhaps this series was ahead of its time.

Online play is just about as great as you could hope for. My recommendation is to hop into a group and make some friends (or enemies). If you're not fighting, you're spectating, and Darkstalkers Resurrection is the kind of fighting game that allows you to learn and adapt even if you're not the one playing. There's also great replay support, provided you're diligent enough to check them before your allotted space (ten maximum) fills up.

You can approach Darkstalkers Resurrection completely in the dark, but its mechanics are not quite as newcomer-friendly as Street Fighter. Iron Galaxy compensates for that by including a wealth of engaging training options. The tutorial is comprehensive and very hands-on. If you wish to master a specific character, that's what the trials are for. Fighting games tend to be very technical, and though that's certainly true of Darkstalkers Resurrection, the game does its best to ensure that even players who have no idea what cancels or special meters are can eventually learn to throw down with the best of them.

Both of the games included in Darkstalkers Resurrection play similarly to each other, as most fighting games tend to. You've got your strikes and special abilities, which can be performed in tandem to build devastating combination attacks. What sets Darkstalkers Resurrection apart from the others is its treatment of the health bar, its emphasis on counter attacks, airborne blocking, and well-timed reversals. Of course, this is a Capcom fighter, so you can expect a special meter, which ties into the Dark Force mechanic, which briefly transforms your playstyle as you attempt to make the most of your enhanced abilities before it disappears.

While playing Darkstalkers Resurrection, my mind was constantly racing with the possibilities of what could be if they made an entirely new next-generation Darkstalkers. Hell, if they gave it the Street Fighter IV treatment, I'd be first in line. Capcom, if you're listening, the answer is a resounding "yes," so make it happen!