FIST OF AWESOME

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 69 reviews
  • humor
  • gameplay
  • story
FIST OF AWESOME Game Cover
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Fist of Awesome is a time-traveling lumberjack-em-up game where you punch bears in the face to save humanity. Enjoy a Develop Award Nominated soundtrack, okay-ish pixel graphics, and an impawsible number of bear-themed puns. The game supports USB & Bluetooth controllers and offers a similar experience to Streets of Rage with a bear-centric twist.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Ouya
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 69 reviews
humor21 positive mentions
gameplay5 negative mentions
  • The game features charming retro graphics and a fantastic chiptune soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • The humor and quirky storyline provide a light-hearted and entertaining atmosphere, making it enjoyable for casual play.
  • It's a simple beat-em-up that can be a fun distraction, especially for those who appreciate its unique premise of punching bears.
  • The combat mechanics are repetitive and lack depth, leading to a tedious gameplay experience with minimal enemy variety.
  • The game is quite short, often completed in under two hours, which may not justify its price for many players.
  • There are significant issues with enemy design and encounter mechanics, making battles feel unbalanced and frustrating.
  • humor21 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny and engaging, while others feel it falls flat or tries too hard. Many appreciate the quirky, self-aware jokes and pop culture references, particularly those related to bears, which add a layer of charm to the gameplay. Overall, while the humor may not resonate with everyone, it contributes significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment for many players.

    • “The humor is kind of funny, I guess, but it seemed like it was trying a little too hard.”
    • “Fist of Awesome's story is silly, but that is what 'I Fight Bears' was aiming for, and each funny one-liner, pop culture reference, or throwback to old school gaming is so perfectly delivered that the player will have a great time and laugh right through to the end.”
    • “It's funny, and it has a challenge mode that's actually kind of challenging.”
  • gameplay21 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplicity and retro charm, reminiscent of old-school beat 'em ups, with enjoyable chiptune music and graphics. However, many players find the mechanics repetitive and lacking in depth, with limited enemy variety and a basic moveset that diminishes replayability. While some appreciate the RPG elements and humor, others feel that the gameplay ultimately falls short, making it a chore rather than an engaging experience.

    • “Fist of Awesome is a tribute to the old school days of video games, the graphics are very reminiscent of the Atari 2600 era and the gameplay is similar to old school beat 'em ups. The chiptune music is fantastic and the gameplay is very simple yet enjoyable; the game is short but sweet in length.”
    • “The action is swift, yet raw, and the gameplay is just about as simple as it could ever get.”
    • “It's an old school side-scrolling beat 'em up with really funny humor and excellent gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay was horrible and there was really only one type of enemy which got really repetitive...really fast.”
    • “It's the exact same mechanics again and again followed by an identical boss.”
    • “Quirky humor barely sustains interest over the repetitive and tedious mechanics; a lack of any pickups, combos, or meaningful level-ups makes the game feel like a chore after the first few levels and kills replayability.”
  • story19 mentions

    The story of "Fist of Awesome" follows Tim Burr, a lumberjack on a humorous quest to restore his home and family, featuring a mix of silly one-liners and pop culture references that enhance the experience. While some players find the narrative compelling and entertaining, others criticize it as nonsensical and lacking depth, with a short playtime that may leave some wanting more. Overall, the game's charm lies in its lighthearted storytelling and engaging visuals, making it a fun, albeit brief, adventure.

    • “The story of Fist of Awesome is a timeless tale about a lumberjack called Tim Burr, who must fight his way to the truth and set right the timeline that has seen his home destroyed and his family taken from him.”
    • “Fist of Awesome's story is silly, but that is what I Fight Bears was aiming for, and each funny one-liner, pop culture reference, or throwback to old school gaming is so perfectly delivered that the player will have a great time and laugh right through to the end.”
    • “And the story is incredibly deep, too.”
    • “So the story is you're Tim McFuckface, some random lumberjack guy (had to interpret this from his clothing) who all of a sudden gains a talking fist named, you certainly guessed it, Fist of Awesome.”
    • “It's painful to write a review about this game, mainly because I feel a certain level of sympathy from the fact that the developer is actually putting some level of heart into this game. The problem is that the game just has the constant outgoing tendency to fall to its own knees, whether it's because the gameplay itself is just too darn slow, or just because the humor and 'story' just feels nonsensical and pointless, I don't know.”
    • “0/10 game that runs on the 0/10 engine with 0/10 graphics, 0/10 storyline, and a 0/10 soul.”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic chiptune style, which complements the retro graphics and enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its ability to elevate the gameplay and contribute to the game's humor and charm. Overall, the combination of engaging music and visuals creates a delightful atmosphere, making it a memorable part of the game.

    • “The soundtrack is lovely.”
    • “This game has the perfect blend of great art and music style, humor and fluid gameplay, and one of the best credit theme songs of all time.”
    • “The 8-bit art and music style of Fist of Awesome is brilliant, and further enhances the comedy of the game.”
    • “Without the soundtrack and the humor, the game would be total garbage.”
    • “The music feels outdated and lacks variety.”
    • “Although the gameplay is pretty basic, the music and retro graphics make up for it.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of "Fist of Awesome" are intentionally pixelated, evoking nostalgia for the Atari 2600 era and fitting well within the retro aesthetic common in indie games. While some reviewers criticize the visuals as basic and lacking detail, others appreciate the charm and effectiveness of the retro style, suggesting it complements the simple yet enjoyable gameplay. Overall, the graphics serve as a tribute to old-school gaming, enhancing the overall experience despite not being technically advanced.

    • “The graphics are that retro-throwback nostalgia style that's so dominant in indie titles these days, but it's done well, and the writing is at the right level where sitting down with a beer, hooking up the gamepad, and playing through can make for a pleasant couple of hours.”
    • “I appreciate the blending of Atari-ish graphics with some newer style effects.”
    • “The graphics are pixelated to give it that retro feel.”
    • “Very pixelated graphics.”
    • “0/10 game that runs on the 0/10 engine with 0/10 graphics, 0/10 storyline, and a 0/10 soul.”
    • “However, I think retro graphics are more the rule than the exception at this point, and they don't necessarily fit the style of the game.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, often feeling that dealing minimal damage to enemies leads to frustratingly long battles. The repetitive mechanics, combined with a lack of engaging upgrades or meaningful progression, diminish the overall enjoyment and replayability of the game.

    • “Endlessly doing single-digit damage on an enemy that you know will take forever to defeat is tedious as all hell and gets boring after all of ten seconds.”
    • “I really hated those endless, boring, tedious parts.”
    • “Quirky humor barely sustains interest over the repetitive and tedious mechanics; a lack of any pickups, combos, or meaningful level-ups makes the game feel like a chore after the first few levels and kills replayability.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game is criticized for its lack of replayability, with users noting that it is overly repetitive and fails to provide engaging content for multiple playthroughs.

    • “Overall, the game is horribly repetitive and offers little to no replayability.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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