Parents' Guide to Skullgirls 2nd Encore

The 2-D-fighting-game genre has come a long way since the pixelated, glorified games of rock-'em-sock-'em that used to populate arcades back in the day. Now we have games such as Skullgirls 2nd Encore, with its crisp, colorful animation style that looks almost like you're actually playing a hand-drawn cartoon. Completing the package, the game features a unique roster of quirky characters with insane moves that have to be seen to be believed. Skullgirls is easily one of the best-looking fighting games currently available.

Of course when it comes to a fighting game, it's not all about looks; it's also about how the game plays. Skullgirls 2nd Encore puts this concern to rest, with easy-to-pick-up-and-play controls that still pack a surprising amount of nuance and complexity. The game's Tutorial mode does a phenomenal job of helping beginners learn the ins and outs of their favorite characters, while Challenges give the player a chance to practice what they've learned with some extra finesse. If there's one potential issue to be had with Skullgirls 2nd Encore, it's that it might be a victim of its own style choice. The somewhat sexualized nature of the female fighters' designs and the way they're portrayed in the game might be off-putting to some. Still, from a technical and presentation standpoint, you'll be hard-pressed to find any better 2-D fighting action than you'll get in Skullgirls 2nd Encore.