Little Hidden Gem of a game! If you were a budokan affectionado on the amiga back in the day and enjoyed the early coin ops of kung fu master, karate champ, early street fighter to name but a few, this game will be right up your alley. We have all become so spoilt these days with a proven formulated recipe for AAA games it was refreshing to play something that took me back to the 80's /Little Hidden Gem of a game! If you were a budokan affectionado on the amiga back in the day and enjoyed the early coin ops of kung fu master, karate champ, early street fighter to name but a few, this game will be right up your alley. We have all become so spoilt these days with a proven formulated recipe for AAA games it was refreshing to play something that took me back to the 80's / 90's. It had a beginning a middle and an end and could be finished quite easily in a weekend. Very easy to pick up and put back down again. Can be a little grindy at times, especially getting to the final elements of the game but the smaller training games as you level up keep enough interest going to get you there.
Some opponents you can simply spam a certain routine or move - however i would recommend staying away from spamming if you want to experience this game in the way it was obviously meant to be played.
The game wasn't without its issues, some of the training mini games make little sense to point scoring but because they are many and varied you can do what you need to by focusing on mini games that best suit you. I found the AI to be quite good and the variation of opponents quite good also. I mean considering there are no weapons here like budokan - it is solid karate kai, the makers did a reasonable job of padding it out to keep the player interested, for the length of time it takes to complete. I would certainly like to see more from this publishing house and will be keeping an eye out.
This game wont appeal to you if you need amazing graphics and AAA standards, but if you are an Indie fan that appreciates these kind of titles and are always looking for a retro fix that hits the mark, this certainly will scratch that itch for a short time. I don't think there is much replay value to be had after finishing it though could be fun for a few bouts with friends.
I feel a good review would not sign off without mentioning the fork lift truck. Wow. This thing! you can sit in it, move it left to right, you put the crates in the back of the truck and get paid after a hard days work. Then its off to the dojo for a gruelling work out and finish off with a dust up at one of the local dojos! Good times.… Expand
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