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A few weeks ago, I had the chance to preview Five Gods of Kung Fu, and I must say, it left quite an impression on me. Imagine a world where pixel-perfect punches meet the grace of classic Kung Fu cinema and where each press of a button unleashes a flurry of meticulously animated martial arts moves.
That's the thrilling reality of this gem from Gregor Bestelmeyer. It's not just a game but a time machine that catapults you back to the golden age of martial arts films, while introducing a fresh twist on fighting game mechanics. So, prepare to be swept off your feet by a title that proves that sometimes the most powerful kicks come in small, pixelated packages.
You can always tell that a martial arts movie is going to be good just by the title. For instance, classics like Masters of the Flying Guillotine, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, and Drunken Master were among those that caught my attention back in the day. Anything produced by the Shaw Brothers or Golden Harvest Production ensured top-notch and over-the-top fighting. Now, comes Five Gods of Kung Fu, a game that pays loving tribute to the martial arts of yesteryear.
The story starts with Li, a humble young man aspiring to become a martial artist. However, reality has him washing dishes at his grandfather's restaurant instead. One day, a group of thugs steal several jade statues from the restaurant. Li and his grandfather confront the thugs but are simply overpowered. Bruised and humiliated, Li goes on a quest to find a master to teach him the various ways of martial arts, and to bring honor, and the statues, back to his grandfather.
An interesting feature is the variety of martial arts disciplines you can attempt to master. These range from Snake, Mantis, Drunken, to Cobra style, each appearing unique in both style and animation. Mantis style, for example, allows you to strike with arms raised like a mantis grasping its prey.
Snake style has more of a low-to-high assault attacking vulnerable points of the body. While many fighting games assume that fighters hate each other, martial arts is more about exhibiting skill, art, and technique to show off their powers.
While each fighting discipline is unique, the feature that sells the game is the control scheme. Unlike other fighting games that require constant button smashing, this one requires subtle sweeps and motions. Now, to be clear, this isn't the first game to offer this feature, but it is the first to do so while incorporating different fighting styles. It's like customizing your Honda; sure, everyone has one, but yours is unique in its own particular way.
The fighting mechanics follow the unwritten rule of most martial arts movies: bad guys attack one at a time, even when they outnumber you ten to one. This lets you methodically work through the crowd, building a neat pile of unconscious bodies while the others wait their turn.
Each fallen foe drops coins, turning your martial arts prowess into a lucrative business, like a piggy bank that fights back - the more you punch, the more you can spend on useful items.
On the graphical side, the game looks like you traveled back in time. In fact, it is so old school that you would probably be looking to see if someone stuffed an SNES inside your PC. The characters are pixel-based, so they all have that blocky appearance as if Minecraft suddenly held an online fighting tournament.
The backdrops, compromising simple brushstrokes of color or pixels, transition seamlessly from bamboo forest to town to a village in such a subtle way that you often miss when it starts and where it ends. Thankfully, the sound effects, precisely the water flow, help create more immersion.
If it isn't already apparent, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Five Gods of Kung Fu. The game nicely blends nostalgia and innovation, capturing the spirit of classic martial arts films while delivering a fresh, modern gameplay experience.
The pixel art style evokes the charm of retro gaming, while the unique control scheme adds depth and strategy to each fight and encounter. The various fighting styles keep the combat interesting, allowing players to experiment and find their preferred approach to making origami on their foes.
This is a must-play for long-time fans of martial arts games or films. It hits all the right notes and proves that the most potent chi sometimes comes from the smallest dojos.
So whether you're looking to relive the golden age of Kung-Fu cinema or looking for a fighting game with a unique twist, Five Gods of Kung Fu delivers on all fronts.
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