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“The key distinctive of a truly Christian education … is the effective practice of worldview integration, that is, an approach to biblical integration that leads to a Christian worldview.” - Martha MacCullough
River City Girls 2 review - Just another good beat'em'up
The sequel to River City Girls, the hit of 2019, does not bring anything fundamentally new to the series, but it allows you to have fun in the co-op, beating up the minions of the yakuza that have captured River City. We talk about the game from an online game developer Friv2Online in more detail in the review.
River City Girls 2 picks up where the previous part left off. Despite the fact that Misako and Kyoko defeated the villains, they are in for an unfortunate setback: the yakuza boss has escaped from prison and seized power in River City, including the school where the main characters study.
They are immediately expelled, after which they spend two months at Kyoko's house playing video games. Once, having gone to the store for the long-awaited continuation of their favorite game, the girls fall into the very center of the conspiracy, and are forced to get involved in the battle again in order to free their hometown. However, during the time that has passed in idle idleness, Misako and Kyoko have lost all their skills, so they will have to re-learn martial arts.
As you probably guessed, the script of River City Girls 2 does not pretend to be serious. Brawls between the characters are full of jokes, the city is littered with visual references to popular culture, and eccentric characters offer weirder quests than the other, like collecting tarot cards for a skeleton encountered in a cemetery.
The sprawling city locations are interesting to explore, not least because of the many details and the large number of optional areas where you can find some secrets or get hold of valuable loot. Sometimes there is a desire to just stop and watch the NPCs go about their business. It's definitely not what you expect from beat'em'up - in a good way. The impression is spoiled only by numerous downloads between levels, which looks very strange when installing the game on a high-speed SSD .
When it comes to combat, the title has a lot to offer. In River City Girls 2, the four heroes from the previous game, Misako, Kyoko, Kunio, and Riki, return, and two more join them: Marian from the Double Dragon series and Provie from River City Ransom: Underground. Each of the fighters uses their own unique style, so you can choose who is more to your liking - for example, a speedster who moves quickly around the arena, or, on the contrary, a character with low speed and powerful attacks.
The basic gameplay formula follows the principles of the beat'em'up genre: weak and strong attacks, jumps, special moves, use of environmental elements. At any moment, you can grab someone's bike or, by the way, a baseball bat that happened to be nearby and significantly increase the damage. The recruitment mechanic is also useful: an opponent can ask for mercy and go over to the player’s side, after which it becomes possible to call him during a skirmish for an additional attack. At the same time, you have to adapt to the opponents, because some strive to get closer, others hit from a distance, others try to use the numerical advantage.
Playing in co-op, it is no wonder to get lost in the chaos that is happening on the battlefield. River City Girls 2 gives you the ability to highlight playable characters with distinctive marks, but that doesn't always help, given that characters and their opponents often look pretty similar. In a title where loss of control is like death, such situations lead to embarrassing defeats.
As for the boss fights, this is where the player's skill is tested. Boss fights are varied and complex, and if encounters with ordinary opponents do not pose a serious challenge, then you can seriously get stuck in episodes with ringleaders. Fortunately, the game does not force you to travel a long way after a defeat, providing the opportunity to immediately return to the battle.
River City Girls 2 is about the same as what you saw in the first part, only a little bigger and more fun. It has amazing pixel art, good humor and satisfying combat. If you like beat'em'up games - highly recommended.
History
Whitefield Academy began in 1976 in Louisville, KY as a ministry of Highview Baptist Church. Known as Highview Baptist Christian School, the school offered families educational opportunities for grades K-8. Highview Baptist Christian School, while holding to an evangelistic model of education, grew in size and influence.
- 1988: Grades 9-12 (High School) was added, as well as additional opportunities for students including athletics, music, and drama.
- 1988: The school’s name was changed to Highview Baptist School.
- 1997: The school’s mission, vision, and philosophy were redefined and its purpose was changed to reflect a discipleship model of education.
- 2003:The school became known as Whitefield Academy
- 2004: Accreditation became a characteristic of Whitefield Academy. Over the next several years, Whitefield developed ACSI recognized ‘blue ribbon’ programs, which continue as part the school’s programming today.
Mission Statement
The mission of Whitefield Academy is to serve Christian families by providing a Christ-centered, Biblically-based education marked by academic excellence and spiritual vitality.
Vision Statement
The vision of Whitefield Academy is to produce powerful and effective student leaders who will impact their world through Biblical thought and action in obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31).
Philosophy
Whitefield Academy fosters intellectual, moral, spiritual and social development consistent with a commitment to Christian truth, morals and freedom which has been provided by our Creator (Jn 1:3). Because Biblical objective truth directs the learning at Whitefield Academy we reject relativism and secularism that accompany political, ideological or philosophical agendas. Therefore, intellectual inquiry affirms the answers that Christianity offers. The ethical absolutes of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and Christ's moral teachings guide the effort to develop intellect and character in the classroom, chapel, and co-curricular activities. While many points of view may be examined, Whitefield Academy unapologetically advocates preservation of a uniquely Christian worldview.
Further, Whitefield Academy accepts its role as an institution of academic learning and instruction which serves as a ministry of Highview Baptist Church. This association exists to enhance the following:
- Education is focused on truth, of which God is the ultimate source. He reveals himself to us in nature; in his Son; and in the Bible, the only inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient rule for faith and practice (Heb. 1:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:16,17).
- The Lordship of Christ and the sovereignty of God are all-inclusive; therefore all areas of life and learning are regarded as sacred (Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 10:31b)
- Christian education is the result of all knowledge being tested against, and integrated with, a biblically based view of God and the world (2 Cor. 10:4b-5; John 1:3).
- The primary responsibility for the education of children rests with parents (Dt. 6:7,8; Genesis 17:7; Prov. 22:6). However, the Christian school and the church provide complementary roles in educating students for lives of fellowship with God and service to others (Dt. 11:18; Ps. 78:4).
- The Christian teacher, empowered by the Holy Spirit, guides and nurtures students through instruction, admonition and personal example. The Christian teacher is a Living Curriculum that models and encourages students in academic, social and spiritual growth (Col. 1:28; Prov. 1:7).
- God reveals himself to students through revelation, both general and special. Through general revelation students learn of God and His world (Acts 14:17; Rom. 1:18-20). Special revelation and regeneration are regarded as essential components of Christian education because a personal relationship with Jesus Christ provides students with the ability to view life from a Biblical perspective (1 Cor. 2:14).
- All students are created by God with unique talents as well as particular developmental growth patterns. Therefore, the learning process is enhanced as teachers utilize varied teaching strategies and instructional environments (Ps. 139:13-15; Rom. 12:4-8).
- Excellence in the quality of education offered to children brings glory to God and provides a compelling witness to our neighbors (Phil. 1:9-11).
- The goal of Christian education is to develop students who will serve God and affect their community and the world by thinking and acting biblically in all aspects of life (Rom. 12:2).
- Orthodoxy and orthopraxy cannot be divided; therefore student speech and action must bring honor to Jesus Christ so that the students will be able to give reason for the hope which they have in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:15).
Core Values
- Centrality of the Christian faith. Whitefield Academy believes that the Bible is the final authority for the Christian relating to matters of faith and practice. We believe in the virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary atonement and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ. These beliefs are foundational to all activities related to the ministry of Whitefield Academy (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Compassion and respect for all people. Whitefield Academy believes each individual is uniquely created by God and endowed with specific gifts and abilities. These gifts and abilities, encourage mutual respect, promote Christian love and provide motivation to resolve conflict in a peaceable and Biblical manner (Matthew 18:15-35).
- Commitment to family values. Whitefield Academy exists to serve Christian families in the process of education. As such, the school is supportive of family issues and concerns. We exist to strengthen the family through a balanced educational program that considers the academic and relational needs of the family (Psalm 127).
- Consistent focus on scholastic excellence. Whitefield Academy is a college preparatory program (Preschool-12) with a challenging academic curriculum as well as a comprehensive extracurricular program that allows each student to pursue academic excellence while developing spiritual, physical, social and intellectual disciplines. We intend to produce students who lead by example and impact the world for Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:15).
- Community involvement. Whitefield Academy promotes citizenship and community involvement through school-wide benevolence ministries and community service programs (Matthew 5:13-16).
- Caring attitude of servanthood. Whitefield Academy is dedicated to serving the needs of our parents, students, faculty and staff. Furthermore, we recognize that these persons are the keys to the school's success (Matthew 20:25-28).
- Careful stewardship of all resources. Whitefield Academy is committed to responsible management of the time, talent and treasure entrusted to us by our Creator God (Matthew 25:14-29).
