Skip to main content

Karate Survivor

92%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, monetization
92% User Score Based on 1,164 reviews

Platforms

MOMac OSPCPCSDSteam DeckWinWindows
Buy Nowfrom $4.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$4.99

About

In "Karate Survivor: , become a martial arts master and engage in fast-paced, intense combat against relentless foes. Improvise with environmental objects and weapons, create dynamic combos, and progress through levels to unlock new abilities. Use your creativity and strategic thinking to outsmart bandits and thrive in a roguelite survival experience inspired by '80s action movies.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
Karate Survivor screenshot
+5

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,164 reviews
gameplay85 positive mentions
grinding35 negative mentions
  • Innovative gameplay that combines martial arts with survivor mechanics, offering a unique twist on the genre.
  • Great animations and retro aesthetic that evoke nostalgia for 80s and 90s action movies, particularly those featuring Jackie Chan.
  • Engaging combo system that allows players to string together attacks and utilize environmental objects for added fun.
  • Limited content with only five levels and one playable character, leading to potential repetitiveness after a few hours of play.
  • Inconsistent hit detection and frustrating mechanics, such as being unable to attack while moving backwards.
  • RNG-based unlock system can lead to frustrating runs where players may not receive the moves they need to succeed.
  • gameplay
    227 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Karate Survivor" is characterized by its unique blend of roguelite mechanics and martial arts action, offering a variety of combat styles and environmental interactions reminiscent of classic 80s action films. While many players appreciate the engaging mechanics and smooth animations, some criticize the clunky controls and lack of depth in certain gameplay elements, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall execution. Despite these issues, the game provides an addictive experience with a casual gameplay loop, making it suitable for short bursts of play.

    • “Karate Survivor has really cool combat mechanics and a progression system that eases you into becoming a total badass with upgrades that allow for powerful combos and access to new areas or extra mobility, delivering all of the action you would expect from a Jackie Chan movie.”
    • “The gameplay is great and unique, and I can't wait to jump back into it to play some more!”
    • “Unlike a lot of entrants to this new genre, Karate Survivor puts an entertaining and engaging spin on 'survivor' gameplay.”
    • “The attack 'bar' really slows down the gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay almost completely consists of running around the map until a big enough blob of enemies forms and gets stuck in a chokepoint.”
    • “But right now, this game is a complete messy slop of random mechanics and concepts pieced together, as expected from Alawar.”
  • graphics
    127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stylish pixel art and nostalgic 80s-90s aesthetic, effectively capturing the essence of classic arcade games and kung fu movies. While some users noted minor issues like visual bugs and a lack of ultrawide support, the overall presentation, including animations and environmental interactions, enhances the gameplay experience and adds to its charm. The combination of crisp visuals, engaging art style, and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a highly enjoyable atmosphere that resonates with fans of retro gaming.

    • “Crisp visuals, variety of combos and environment interactions combined with excellent animations make this game a highly enjoyable experience.”
    • “The game's pixel art style is both nostalgic and modern, capturing the essence of classic arcade games while incorporating contemporary design elements.”
    • “Not only does the game look incredibly stylish with its pixel art style reminiscent of the retro beat-em-ups, but the animations flow together really well.”
    • “My only complaints are that there aren't enough achievements (that's a big draw with this genre, in my opinion) and some of the menu graphics seem like they were AI generated.”
    • “But right now it looks like quality art assets and graphic design rushed to market without gameplay.”
    • “Sadly, due to the fact that graphically the game has very good animations, and those take time and energy to make, we are very unlikely to see many new characters in the future due to the sheer amount of work they would demand.”
  • music
    92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic 1980s-inspired synthwave and electronic beats, effectively complementing the retro aesthetic and enhancing the overall experience. While many players find the soundtrack catchy and fitting for each stage, some note that it can become repetitive during longer play sessions. Overall, the combination of music and visuals creates a vibrant and engaging atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre.

    • “The soundtrack is a pulsating mix of synthwave and electronic beats, perfectly complementing the game's 1980s-inspired aesthetic.”
    • “The music fits each stage very well.”
    • “Brilliantly animated with a good soundtrack, I've enjoyed my time with Karate Survivor.”
    • “The music is not good enough to be as repetitive as it is.”
    • “My only complaint is that the music is pretty bland and uninspiring.”
    • “-music can get annoying during long stretches, as it loops.”
  • grinding
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. Many reviews highlight issues with the unlock system and combat mechanics, which can lead to prolonged periods of repetitive gameplay without a sense of progress. While some players eventually find fun in the game, the grind can feel excessive, especially when tied to specific unlocks or abilities that require significant farming.

    • “This often turns the experience into a tedious grind rather than an enjoyable challenge.”
    • “No feeling of progress, extreme feeling of grinding.”
    • “It's a fun game until you reach a point where you have to have an attack with random chance to pierce and then you need to find an old dude that spawns at a random time in a random place on any map. After 5 hours of trying to get it, I gave up.”
  • story
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story serves as a homage to classic martial arts films, particularly those featuring Jackie Chan, where players, as the titular karate survivor, battle through waves of enemies to uncover a nefarious plot threatening the city. While some players feel the narrative is minimal and could benefit from more depth, such as character backstories and a cohesive story mode, the diverse bosses and engaging gameplay elements provide a fun experience reminiscent of classic action tales. Overall, the story is seen as a fun backdrop that could be enhanced with future updates and expansions.

    • “The game's story is a homage to the classic martial arts tales of the past.”
    • “As the titular karate survivor, they must fight through waves of enemies, uncovering the nefarious plot that threatens the city.”
    • “The bosses themselves are a diverse cast of characters, each with their unique fighting style and backstory.”
    • “☑️ this game has no story”
    • “☑️ 0 (no story)”
    • “Why are you here, who are these enemies... we don't need a plot where we're going!”
  • replayability
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game offers strong replayability, bolstered by three difficulty levels and a variety of unlockable moves and upgrades that encourage players to return. While some reviewers noted a lack of content and suggested the addition of an endless mode for enhanced replay value, many found the gameplay addictive and enjoyable, particularly for its low price. However, a few users mentioned limited replay value after completing the game, indicating a mixed experience in this aspect.

    • “Unlocking things like being able to kick a cart into a crowd or somersault over sofas into a kick adds to the replayability factor.”
    • “Replayability is a crucial aspect of any roguelite, and Karate Survivor excels in this regard.”
    • “There are a lot of upgrades and moves to unlock, which gives the game a lot of replay value.”
    • “In the minus column, there's not a ton of content here, and additional levels or the addition of something akin to an endless mode would give this more and better replayability, but for the price, I'm not complaining.”
    • “-little replay value after beating it”
    • “-no replay value”
  • atmosphere
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant color palette and dynamic lighting, which create an immersive and lively world. Reviewers appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of 80s and 90s video salons, enhanced by compelling gameplay and art design. However, some criticism arises from gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall martial arts movie ambiance.

    • “The game's color palette and lighting effects further enhance the atmosphere, creating a world that feels alive and dynamic.”
    • “An amusing chop socky b-movie atmosphere, compelling gameplay, and a deep upgrade system; it almost feels like a mistake they're charging five bucks for this.”
    • “This is a pretty good game to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 80s and 90s, something nostalgic.”
    • “Having to aim by moving alone is extremely frustrating, clumsy, and both looks and feels stupid, destroying the martial arts movie atmosphere of the game.”
  • humor
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky weapon choices, like chairs and umbrellas, and the absurdity of its combat mechanics, which often lead to comically frustrating situations. Players find the combination of funny elements and unexpected attack directions both entertaining and laugh-inducing, despite the game's challenging mechanics. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its comedic aspects.

    • “Hilarious!”
    • “At the start, it seems like a very cool game; you can do a combo, use a funny weapon like a chair or an umbrella, etc. It's a fun challenge, but the game mechanics can be frustrating.”
    • “It has interesting elements, and the humor in the game is evident, especially when your character attacks in unexpected directions, making for some hilarious moments.”
  • stability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game generally performs well on the Steam Deck, with users noting it runs smoothly out of the box. However, there are significant concerns about bugs and crashes, leading some to advise against purchasing it at this time.

    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck right out of the box.”
    • “This game runs great on the Deck as well.”
    • “Buggy and crashes too much to be worth buying at the moment.”
    • “Minor bugs and glitches.”
  • emotional
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express mixed emotions about the game, highlighting frustration with the mechanics that cause damage from mere contact with enemies, which detracts from the overall experience. However, the satisfaction of mastering combat techniques provides a sense of accomplishment, despite the uncertainty of their effectiveness in battle.

    • “Emotional damage is a real kind of damage, y'know.”
    • “Mixing and matching different strikes made me feel like a true martial arts master… until I realized I wasn’t exactly sure if my punches were landing or if I was about to get clobbered.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While many games in this genre are criticized as blatant cash grabs, this particular title stands out as a worthwhile investment.

Buy Karate Survivor

12h Median play time
15h Average play time
10-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Karate Survivor

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood Image
85%510reviews

Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood

2023Casual Role Playing
PCPCSDSteam DeckWinWindows
20 Minutes Till Dawn Image
94%23.2kreviews

20 Minutes Till Dawn

2023Survival Role Playing Shooter
iPadiPadiPhiPhoneMOMac OS+8
The Spell Brigade Image
93%3.2kreviews

The Spell Brigade

2024Action
PCPCSDSteam DeckWinWindows+1
Void Scrappers Image
91%424reviews

Void Scrappers

2022Survival Shooter
MOMac OSNSNintendo SwitchPCPC+4
Death Must Die Image
93%12.7kreviews

Death Must Die

2023Casual Role Playing
MOMac OSPCPCWinWindows+3
Nomad Survival Image
87%1.1kreviews

Nomad Survival

2022Action
PCPCWinWindows
Soulstone Survivors Image
91%9kreviews

Soulstone Survivors

2022Survival Hack and Slash
MOMac OSPCPCWinWindows+1
Halls of Torment Image
96%34.7kreviews

Halls of Torment

2024Role Playing
PCPCSDSteam DeckWinWindows+1
Rogue: Genesia Image
95%5.2kreviews

Rogue: Genesia

2025Casual Role Playing Shooter
PCPCWinWindowsLinLinux
Gunlocked Image
88%678reviews

Gunlocked

2022Role Playing
PCPCSDSteam DeckWinWindows