Karateka

 PC
Metascore
48

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Games.cz
    Dec 16, 2012
    60
    A plain, but likable rescue of a princess that is not just counting on your nostalgia for an almost thirty years old original. Even though Mechner's sense of a clever design may be seen just here and there, the game is worth your little time (and money).
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 4, 2013
    50
    Remake of an 80's classic arcade hit cannot prevail over modern competition. You can try to spend few moments in the fight but the results are unsatisfactory. [Jan 2013]
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  3. Eurogamer Italy
    Jan 7, 2013
    50
    Karateka is a nice remake but it feels more like a mini-game than a full fledged product. The game lasts less than an hour and it is even less articulated than the original one.
  5. CD-Action
    Feb 6, 2013
    30
    Karateka is just a series of painfully repetitive QTE. The idea of combining a brawler with a rhythm game is cool but in my opinion it’s not enough for anything more than a minigame in some bigger title.[CD-Action 02/2013, p.63]
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User Reviews

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User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 31
  3. Negative: 16 out of 31
  1. EDGE
    Dec 4, 2012
    1
    I just played the game through... took me 34:33 minutes.
    While the comic style character design (the princess looks like MULAN) looks good, I    I just played the game through... took me 34:33 minutes.
    While the comic style character design (the princess looks like MULAN) looks good, I would have preferred something more "sincere" - as in the original.

    I must say, although Jordan Mechner himself was involved in its production, the game is utterly disappointing.
    While the 1984 original was won through tactics and using timed high mid and low punches / kicks, the 2012 version is a mere series of QTE (quick time events):
    First block the enemy's attacks - then attack.
    You just hit the punch/kick buttons - it does not really matter which.

    Funny how it seems advanced techniques hinder great game design & balance nowadays...    … Full Review »
  2. blandthrax
    Dec 4, 2012
    2
    I used to play this on Commodore 64 routinely. That version, like it's Apple II counterpart had heart and soul and the ending felt utterlyI used to play this on Commodore 64 routinely. That version, like it's Apple II counterpart had heart and soul and the ending felt utterly satisfying. This new version ... meh, not so much. I would have like to have seen a little more to it than punch, kick, block (three buttons, that's it). In the original you could punch/kick high, middle, low. Also, for 2012, the graphics are woefully underwhelming. Add to that the fact that everything about the fighting is pretty much canned and it plays more like it wants to be Dragons Lair than the new Karateka. All that's all well and good except it costs $8.99 on Steam and while that seems like a paltry sum, for a game that only takes about a half an hour to play, you have to wonder if maybe they could have at least made it more challenging to say nothing of longer.… Full Review »
  3. Bulldozer
    Jul 25, 2013
    10
    This is a shiny and great "little gem", it's completely playable with a controller and gives "that" good feeling, it's very short but hasThis is a shiny and great "little gem", it's completely playable with a controller and gives "that" good feeling, it's very short but has replayability value through the 3 characters you can use to play through it, varied outcomes and wish to improve "time" and "score".
    In sum the fact that's really short could be a plus since obtaining the highest scores is not so easy even if the game seems easy, is a "rhythm 'n fight" with enjoyable graphics and sound which comes in handy when you don't want to play something more complex and-or don't have a lot of time to play, something to have and to give a shot every now and then just to relax.

    As a side note I must say that forcing some kind of Anti Aliasing through drivers and-or using an external one like SMAA definitely improves the experience.

    Final words, is written nowhere that a game to be good must be "long", this is a real short but damn fun, engaging and relaxing game at once, as already said a true gem, not a load of things to do, but something you can beat up exactly in that little spare time you have which wont allow you to dedicate yourselves to more pretending games, is for this reason along with a decent price and a good polish that I'm gonna give this game a full 10.    … Full Review »
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