Choice of Kung Fu

About

"Choice of Kung Fu" is a text-based role-playing game that puts you in the shoes of a martial arts student in ancient China. You'll train in kung fu, make choices that determine your character's abilities and relationships, and eventually face off against formidable enemies in combat. The game's rich, detailed world and engaging story make it a great choice for fans of interactive fiction and martial arts. However, lack of graphics or sound may not appeal to some players.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 77 reviews

story14 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game offers a rich and immersive experience in the wuxia genre, with well-researched cultural elements and engaging characters.
Players have a significant amount of choice in shaping their character's fighting style and personal journey, leading to multiple endings and replayability.
The writing is thoughtful and reflective, providing a satisfying narrative that feels complete without relying on cliffhangers.

The combat mechanics are shallow, and the impact of early choices on stats can be unclear, leading to trial-and-error gameplay.
Romance options are underdeveloped and lack depth, often feeling like side characters rather than integral parts of the story.
The story's ambition sometimes leads to unresolved plot points and an abrupt ending, leaving players wanting more closure.

story
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
79%
4%
The story in "Choice of Kung Fu" is a blend of martial arts, personal ambition, and supernatural elements, allowing players to shape their narrative through meaningful choices that impact character development and outcomes. While the pacing is generally well-received, some players find the ending abrupt and certain storylines lack depth, particularly in romance. Overall, the narrative is engaging and well-researched, appealing to fans of the genre, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more cohesive or dramatic conclusion.
- “The choices you make early on have a profound effect on your stats that can radically alter the course your story takes later on, but often, the effect these choices have is not at all obvious before they are made.”
- “Alana Joli Abbott authored a story that is worth replaying on occasion, reveals a significant amount of research, has choices with consequences that make sense, and leads to several endings that feel not just rewarding, but inspiring.”
- “Full of kung fu, chi, fox spirits, romance, and rebellion; I was once again pulled into the story of a single monk residing in a small monastery on the side of a mountain, seeking to learn from the fabled dragon sage.”
- “Faults in mechanics, however, are perhaps less important than the faults in the story 'Kung Fu' tells.”
- “It tries to tell of a quest for the wisdom of a dragon, a rebellion against the empire, a conflict with foreigners, the rise of the players' new martial arts school, a duel with a challenging master, and a romance, all at once, and few aspects of the story meet an actually satisfying end.”
- “The character development was very interesting, but I think that my only issue was that the story seemed rather short.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The game offers significant replayability through its multiple pathways and outcomes, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies. However, the lack of clear information can lead to frustrating decision-making, making some playthroughs feel less meaningful. Overall, careful planning can enhance the experience, but the potential for varied outcomes is a key draw for replay.
- “While this means certain playthroughs will require planning your decisions ahead of time, it also means there are multiple ways to deal with a situation, both in success and failure, which offers replay value.”
- “One could argue this contributes to replay value and experimentation, but when one's decisions are not informed, they're bumbling in the dark instead of making meaningful choices.”
- “While this means certain playthroughs will require planning your decisions ahead of time, it also means there are multiple ways to deal with a situation both in success and failure, which offers replay value.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay is generally perceived as easy, with early choices leading to strong stats that make it difficult to fail. While there are some mechanical faults, they are considered less significant than the issues with the story.
- “As for the gameplay, I feel it's a little easy - your first few choices will give you some very solid stats, and as long as you stick to your strengths, you'll find it hard to lose.”
- “Faults in mechanics, however, are perhaps less important than the faults in the story Kung Fu tells.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the character development in the game, finding it engaging and interesting; however, many feel that the overall story is too short and could benefit from deeper exploration of the characters, suggesting that it has the potential to be expanded into a more substantial narrative.
- “I feel the story I chose (and probably other story paths, too) could be lengthened into a pretty great book with more character development.”
- “The character development was very interesting, but I think that my only issue was that the story seemed rather short.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews do not specifically address the graphics of the game, focusing instead on the narrative choices and gender selection features that enhance player engagement and inclusivity. As such, there is no information available regarding the visual quality or artistic design of the graphics.
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing translations, particularly the literal rendering of "fox spirit" as "hulijing," which has garnered laughter from players. This playful approach to language adds a lighthearted charm to the overall experience.
- “It's hilarious to see how they literally translate 'fox spirit' as 'hulijing'.”