Shaolin vs Wutang 2

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Shaolin vs Wutang 2 is a single player and multiplayer fighting game. It was developed by J.Bowman and was released on June 14, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

"Shaolin vs Wutang 2" is a casual indie combat game inspired by 70's and 80's Kung Fu cinema, with hand-to-hand and weapon combat, authentic fighting sounds, and a licensed soundtrack. The sequel offers three times the moves of the first game and continues the developer's mission to create a nostalgic tribute to classic martial arts films. With a focus on satisfying gameplay, the game aims to deliver an authentic Kung Fu experience for players.

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 265 reviews

graphics9 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Shaolin vs Wutang 2 is a heartfelt homage to classic martial arts cinema, featuring improved graphics, animations, and a diverse roster of characters inspired by legendary martial artists.
The gameplay is accessible yet offers depth, allowing newcomers to enjoy the game while providing veterans with opportunities to master combos and strategies.
The game successfully captures the nostalgic feel of 70s and 80s kung fu films, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and beautifully designed stages that evoke the atmosphere of classic martial arts movies.

The game suffers from long loading times and occasional performance issues, which can detract from the overall experience.
The character roster is smaller than the previous installment, leaving some fans disappointed and wishing for the return of beloved characters.
The lack of online multiplayer options limits the game's replayability, forcing players to rely on local play or remote play features.

graphics
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
67%
8%
The graphics in "Shaolin vs Wutang 2" have received positive feedback for their improved quality, capturing the essence of classic martial arts films with clean and detailed visuals, smoother animations, and a nostalgic aesthetic. While some users noted that character designs could still be enhanced to match higher-end titles, the overall visual experience is considered a significant upgrade from the original game. However, there are concerns about optimization and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems.
- “The visuals, music, sounds, stages, and character design are all reminiscent of classic martial arts movies.”
- “Graphics are amazing, very clean and detailed.”
- “Shaolin vs Wutang 2 makes a quantum leap forward in features, moves, stages, costumes, graphics, and overall game quality, and I'm very pleased with my purchase.”
- “The characters need to be graphically better to be on MKX, Tekken 7, Soul Calibur level.”
- “As of now, there are no graphics settings, so I can't even tweak to try to get better performance. Not that this game should be that demanding, it seems to be just poorly optimized for SD.”
- “For how underwhelming the game is graphically, it should not be running as poorly as it does.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
64%
8%
The gameplay in "Shaolin vs Wutang 2" is a blend of simplicity and accessibility, appealing to casual players while offering polished mechanics and improved visuals over its predecessor. While the combat is engaging with unique weapon mechanics and satisfying animations, some players note clunky inputs and a limited character roster as drawbacks. Overall, the game provides a fun and unique experience, especially for fans of old-school kung fu films, though it still has room for improvement.
- “The gameplay is deliberately simple, built around accessibility rather than competitive complexity.”
- “Weapon mechanics add an extra layer of flavor, letting certain fighters switch between armed and unarmed combat mid-battle.”
- “Gameplay-wise, Shaolin vs Wutang 2 delivers a solid, fun, and refreshingly unique experience.”
- “Do not buy this for gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is where this game falls short.”
- “The animations are fantastic and characters have movesets that reflect their respective inspirations well, but inputs are clunky and actual gameplay is clumsy outside of close range.”
music
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
53%
11%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the nostalgic atmosphere, blending traditional Chinese instruments with percussive rhythms to evoke the feel of classic martial arts films. Reviewers highlight the outstanding soundtrack as a key element that intensifies the gameplay experience, making battles more exciting and immersing players in a cinematic environment reminiscent of 1970s Hong Kong cinema. Overall, the music is described as both authentic and energizing, contributing significantly to the game's artistic appeal and nostalgic charm.
- “The music plays a major role in enhancing this aesthetic, blending percussive rhythms, traditional Chinese instruments, and ambient tension to create a nostalgic audio landscape.”
- “The atmosphere is absolutely incredible—everything from the music to the stage designs transports you straight into the golden era of kung fu cinema.”
- “It feels like I am 'playing' a martial arts movie, thanks in no small part to the outstanding soundtrack.”
- “The licensed soundtrack is so spot-on, you'll be forgiven for momentarily believing you've been transported to a 1970s Hong Kong cinema, complete with sticky floors and the smell of cheap Chinese cigarettes.”
- “What made Shaolin vs Wutang 1 great are the number of fighters playable and more music themes from old Shaw Brothers movies.”
- “The stages are beautifully drawn and together with the licensed music they create the ambience of an old-fashioned kung fu movie.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting sluggish performance even on capable hardware like the GTX 3070, and a lack of graphics settings to adjust for better performance. Many players have noted significant input lag and poor overall optimization, leading to frustration and a reluctance to recommend the game until improvements are made. While some have observed performance enhancements since the last update, the general consensus remains that the game is not well-optimized.
- “I would love to have it optimized for 21:9 aspect ratio screens, but that's the only thing.”
- “I have seen tremendous performance improvements since the last update.”
- “As of now, there are no graphics settings, so I can't even tweak to try to get better performance. Not that this game should be that demanding; it seems to be just poorly optimized for standard definition.”
- “Due to how poorly optimized this game is, and the reluctance from the developer to acknowledge it and work on resolutions, I cannot recommend the game currently.”
- “When even the menu inputs are delayed, the issue goes far beyond user system issues; when I can play games that are vastly superior to this in terms of graphics without performance issues, yet the menu inputs lag here, it is an issue with the game.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The game's story aspect is criticized for lacking depth and a dedicated story mode, with players expressing a desire for more narrative content and character development. While the diverse cast of characters has intriguing backstories, many feel that the absence of a cohesive storyline detracts from the overall experience. Overall, players are eager for enhancements that would provide a richer narrative experience, akin to what is found in other fighting games.
- “Great job! I wish there was more story-rich content in the game based on movies, and I wish you could unlock some more skills!”
- “My only gripe is that there is no real story mode (which I'd imagine cutscenes and the like being too costly), and that as many fighters tend to be portraying some of their famous characters, it would be a nice touch if there were different costumes to represent different versions.”
- “Imagine, if you will, stepping into the shoes—or, more accurately, the bare, calloused feet—of 20 inspired characters, each with a backstory probably worth a B-movie script.”
- “Needs a deep storyline like most fighting games.”
- “My only gripe is that there is no real story mode (which I'd imagine cut scenes and the like being too costly) and that as the many fighters tend to be portraying some of their famous characters, it would be a nice touch if there were different costumes to represent different versions.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Bowman" is highlighted as a heartfelt tribute to martial arts cinema, effectively capturing the respect, elegance, and nostalgia associated with the genre. While it is recognized as a competent fighting game, it resonates deeply with players by evoking the spirit of classic kung fu films and the emotional language of martial arts.
- “It understands the emotional language of martial arts: the mutual respect between warriors, the elegance of motion, and the art of restraint.”
- “Bowman, this game is a heartfelt tribute to martial arts cinema, featuring a roster inspired by legendary fighters and capturing the nostalgic spirit of old-school kung fu films.”
- “Bowman is a heartfelt homage to the golden age of martial arts cinema, wrapped in the framework of a traditional fighting game.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere in "Shaolin vs Wutang 2" is a standout feature, with beautifully designed stages like temples and misty lakes that evoke classic Hong Kong cinema. The outstanding soundtrack enhances the experience, immersing players in the golden era of kung fu films and making each fight feel more exhilarating. Overall, the game prioritizes authenticity and atmosphere, creating a captivating environment for players.
- “In the end, Shaolin vs Wutang 2 stands as a rare kind of fighting game—one that values authenticity and atmosphere over complexity.”
- “The atmosphere is absolutely incredible—everything from the music to the stage designs transports you straight into the golden era of kung fu cinema.”
- “The stages are the real highlight: temples, moonlit courtyards, bamboo forests, and mist-shrouded lakes—all rendered with the kind of painterly atmosphere that evokes classic Hong Kong cinema.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game offers strong replayability due to its accessible gameplay and the presence of 16 unique characters, providing players with ample opportunities to refine their skills and explore different strategies.
- “The game is easy to get into but will take some time to master, and with 16 characters, there's enough replay value to keep you going for quite a while.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return, making the replayability quite lacking.”
- “The lack of diverse gameplay modes means that after a few runs, the experience feels repetitive and stale.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the second entry is perceived as a cash grab, with reviewers feeling it lacks substantial improvements or innovations over the first game, leading to disappointment among players.
- “This second entry seemed like a cash grab and had no reason to be made; it doesn't build much off the first game.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy basic features.”
- “I was disappointed to see so many paywalls; it ruins the experience and makes it feel like a chore.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is notably problematic, with frequent freezes after the first round and various glitches that disrupt gameplay. Users have reported persistent issues with buggy menu buttons, indicating a lack of polish, which may be attributed to limited development resources.
- “The game freezes after the first round, and I can't load the second.”
- “There are sadly some glitches here and there that can be a nuisance, but then again, there is only one person working on this.”
- “Menu buttons are still very buggy in 2021.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is enhanced by visuals and design that pay homage to classic martial arts films, with moves and character aesthetics closely reflecting real-life inspirations, creating a rich and immersive experience.
- “The moves and the character designs perfectly match the real-life inspirations.”
- “The visuals, music, sounds, stages, and character design are all reminiscent of classic martial arts movies.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Shaolin vs Wutang 2" is highlighted as a blend of nostalgia and playful violence, offering players a lighthearted experience that allows for virtual combat without real-world consequences.
- “In conclusion, if you're looking for a game that combines humor, nostalgia, and the chance to virtually punch things without breaking your real-life furniture, 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang 2' is your ticket to glory.”