Five Gods of Kung Fu
- July 31, 2024
- Gregor Bestelmeyer
Get on SteamFive Gods of Kung Fu is a story driven Beat 'em Up with a totally unique control scheme. Explore the Far East to discover, train and master various Kung Fu Styles – each with distinct mechanics. The unique input scheme requires dedication and skill and gives you the feeling of truly mastering a fighting technique. It’s the next best thing to actually learning Kung Fu. DRUNKEN Drunken Kung Fu u…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique control scheme that encourages skillful input rather than button mashing, making combat feel strategic and rewarding.
- The pixel art style and animation are charming, evoking nostalgia while providing a visually appealing experience.
- The game offers a variety of distinct Kung Fu styles to master, each with unique mechanics, adding depth and variety to the gameplay.
- The game has some bugs and glitches, including issues with controller responsiveness and occasional soft locks during gameplay.
- The combat system is poorly explained and can feel inconsistent, leading to confusion about mechanics and damage output.
- There is no option to remap controls, which can be frustrating for players who prefer customized button layouts.
- story9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story features a lighthearted blend of comedy and seriousness, following Li, a young man on a quest to become a martial artist and retrieve stolen statues for his grandfather. While the narrative starts slowly, it is filled with humor, cheeky dialogue from townsfolk, and engaging gameplay that appeals to casual gamers who enjoy a narrative-driven experience. Overall, the plot is described as fun and silly, complemented by a charming pixel art style.
“Music was quite good and the story had a nice mix of comedy and seriousness.”
“The majority of townsfolk offer little guidance to aid you on your statue-retrieving mission but are always at the ready with a cheeky one-liner or a 'so-bad-it's-good' dad joke.”
“The story starts with Li, a humble young man aspiring to become a martial artist.”
“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.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a nostalgic homage to classic martial arts films, featuring a unique control scheme that allows players to master various kung-fu disciplines with distinct mechanics. While the fighting mechanics follow a traditional approach where enemies attack one at a time, the game successfully blends innovation with a narrative-driven experience, appealing to both casual gamers and martial arts enthusiasts. Additionally, the visually engaging training sections enhance the overall gameplay experience.
“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.”
“The game nicely blends nostalgia and innovation, capturing the spirit of classic martial arts films while delivering a fresh, modern gameplay experience.”
“Understandably, the control scheme is central to the gameplay mechanics, but at least let us swap the shoulder buttons and triggers.”
“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.”
“Different stances have separate mechanics to choose from; the training sections are so pleasing, visually and through gameplay.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a nostalgic pixel art style that evokes the charm of retro gaming, complemented by fluid animations and well-animated characters. While some users experienced issues with settings not being saved, the overall aesthetic and humor reminiscent of classic LucasArts adventures contribute to a delightful visual 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.”
“Nostalgic graphics: the pixel art style brings back a sense of nostalgia while maintaining fluid animations.”
“The art style is charming and the characters are well animated.”
“At the time of this review, my graphics and audio settings are not being saved between sessions.”
“On the graphical side, the game looks like you traveled back in time.”
“In some moments, the humor and the pixels took me back to the old LucasArts graphic adventures.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is well-received, complementing the story's blend of comedy and seriousness. While the soundtrack doesn't innovate, it effectively captures the theme and evokes the feel of classic kung fu films.
“Music was quite good and the story had a nice mix of comedy and seriousness.”
“The soundtrack, while not breaking any new ground, fits the theme perfectly and is reminiscent of something you might hear in an old kung fu movie.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is highlighted by its clever animations, particularly when players engage in button-mashing, resulting in comically exaggerated character movements. Additionally, an early scene cleverly subverts expectations, adding to the overall comedic experience.
“The game rewards timing and precision, and button-mashing will net you a hilarious animation of your character flailing his arms in reckless abandon.”
“And, not to spoil anything, but there is one scene early on that will subvert your expectations in a clever and funny way.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game experiences significant stability issues, particularly freezing when players head in certain directions after learning the tiger style, with this bug being easily replicable. Aside from these major glitches, users report only minor concerns.
“The game freezes whenever I head in the 'wrong' direction after learning the tiger style. I managed to replicate this bug every time I tried.”
“Glitches aside, I have only a few minor nitpicks.”
