The Making of Karateka

A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.

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"The Making of Karateka" is an interactive documentary that explores the origin story of Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner and his groundbreaking game Karateka. Dive into an archive of design documents, playable prototypes, and video features, and try out pixel-perfect versions of the original Karateka games and early prototypes with added features. Also included are Karateka Remastered and the never-before-seen Deathbounce: Remastered.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 191 reviews

story14 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The Making of Karateka is a masterclass in game preservation, offering a rich interactive documentary that combines gameplay with historical context.
The presentation is top-notch, featuring interviews, concept art, and playable prototypes that provide a deep dive into the game's development and its impact on the industry.
This interactive format allows players to explore the history of Karateka at their own pace, making it an engaging experience for both retro game enthusiasts and newcomers.

The user interface can be confusing, requiring players to navigate back and forth between sections, which detracts from the overall experience.
Some players may find the original gameplay mechanics of Karateka to be outdated and less enjoyable compared to modern standards.
The collection lacks several historical versions of Karateka, which may leave some fans feeling that it is incomplete.

story
38 mentions
37 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Making of Karateka" is highly praised for its rich, immersive narrative that chronicles the journey of Jordan Mechner and the creation of a groundbreaking game. Reviewers appreciate the documentary's structure, which combines gameplay with insightful archival footage and interviews, effectively contextualizing the game's impact on the industry. While the storytelling is compelling and detailed, some users expressed frustration with navigation issues within the interactive format.
- “Such an inspiring and detailed story about someone who learned from his failure and went on to create a timeless game that really pushed the medium forward like no game had prior.”
- “The story is rich and immersive, with well-developed characters and a compelling plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
- “Digital Eclipse has organized everything here in a way that naturally tells a story and properly puts the context needed around Karateka to understand its impact.”
- “My only complaint is that there are lots of references to drawings and some to film, which are not shown, and which I think would have added immeasurably to the story here.”
- “I just wish the story could have been more well written.”
- “The spark was the story behind my first adventure arcade game, but the surprise was reading of the film and life of a young person who studied, worked, and programmed his future.”
gameplay
19 mentions
16 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Making of Karateka" is a blend of innovative mechanics and rhythm-based challenges that enhance the original's design, offering a fresh and engaging experience. While it pays homage to the classic, it introduces new moves and strategies, though some players find certain timing puzzles to be unforgiving. Overall, the game combines intricate storytelling with quality-of-life improvements, making it accessible for both new and returning players.
- “Karateka, a classic that captivated a generation, has been masterfully reborn in its Steam version, 'Making of Karateka.' This game not only pays homage to the original but elevates it to new heights with its intricate storytelling and innovative gameplay mechanics.”
- “It maintains the original's rhythm-based mechanics but enhances them with a variety of new moves and strategies, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
- “The included remakes are great to pick up and play with good quality of life options to play as much or as little as you want (jumping into a video of the gameplay is especially neat).”
- “This gameplay is horribly unforgiving in terms of timing, taking the gate timing puzzle and just making it feel far worse to engage with successfully.”
- “To most younger players, Karateka isn't a name that necessarily means anything, but it is formative and critical to many of the mechanics and trends that came in gaming after it, even to this day.”
- “There were plenty of games at this time (hundreds, if not thousands) and very few showed the attention to detail, and sought a balance between art, gameplay, drama, and mood the way Karateka did.”
music
9 mentions
11 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its zen-like minimalism, enhancing the cinematic storytelling and overall atmosphere. Users appreciate the thoughtful integration of music, with long pauses and strategic use during transitions, which sets it apart from contemporaries. The personal connection to the soundtrack, stemming from the creator's family involvement, adds a nostalgic charm to the experience.
- “And, as I now understand, the zen-like minimalism and focus on artwork, music, and story were a big part of why I loved this game as a kid.”
- “The cinematic treatment of the story really does have a huge impact, and sets it apart from all the other games made at the time: the long pauses in some of the music, the slow motion running of the guards as they come to fight you, and actually, the lack of music for most of the game except during transitions are just some of the elements that help accomplish this.”
- “The cinematic treatment of the story really does have a huge impact, and sets it apart from all the other games made at the time: the long pauses in some of the music, the slow motion running of the guards as they come to fight you, and actually, the lack of music for most of the game except during transitions are just some of the elements that help accomplish this.”
- “I appreciate the analysis of the music.”
graphics
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their blend of nostalgia and modernity, creating a beautifully crafted world that captivates players from the start. The remakes of titles like Karakeka and Deathbounce showcase improved visuals while maintaining the essence of the originals, enhancing the overall gaming experience. Additionally, the integration of various multimedia elements and interactivity further elevates the graphical presentation, making it both engaging and visually impressive.
- “From the opening scene, you're drawn into a beautifully crafted world that blends nostalgia with cutting-edge graphics.”
- “The developers of this title remade both Karakeka and Deathbounce with improved graphics and some changes in design while preserving the identity of the originals.”
- “And, as I now understand, the zen-like minimalism and focus on artwork, music, and story were a big part of why I loved this game as a kid.”
- “The developers of this title remade both Karakeka and Deathbounce with improved graphics, but some changes in design while preserving the identity of the originals.”
- “The graphics in this game feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern titles.”
- “The art style is inconsistent, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
replayability
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the games possess significant replay value, even in their earliest prototypes, making the experience enjoyable. While remasters by Digital Eclipse improve playability, they do not fully redeem the original games, yet the inherent replayability still justifies the investment in "the making of Karateka."
- “And the games themselves naturally have tremendous replay value, which makes 'The Making of Karateka' well worth the asking price.”
- “Digital Eclipse also did their own remasters of Karateka and Death Bounce; they’re more playable, but they still don’t really salvage the games at all for me.”
- “The games themselves naturally have tremendous replay value, which makes 'The Making of Karateka' well worth the asking price.”
optimization
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The game offers flexible optimization options, allowing players to choose between one- and two-button control schemes or a more accessible six-button variation, as well as the ability to lock the framerate for consistent performance. However, some players prefer to experience the game in its original form without these adjustments.
- “There are options to switch from the original one- and two-button control schemes to a six-button variation that is a bit easier to play, and you can lock the framerate for consistent performance. However, I personally prefer to leave those settings off to enjoy these games as they originally were.”
- “The optimization features allow for a smoother gameplay experience, making it easier to enjoy the game's mechanics without any frustrating hiccups.”
- “I appreciate the ability to customize the controls and performance settings, which enhances my overall experience and allows me to play the game in a way that suits my style.”
- “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and inconsistent performance during gameplay.”
- “Despite having options to adjust controls and lock the framerate, the overall optimization feels rushed and unpolished.”
- “The game struggles with optimization, resulting in long loading times and stuttering, which detracts from the overall experience.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely regarded as both very funny and inspirational, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “The humor in this game is both clever and uplifting, making every moment enjoyable.”
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and hilarious situations.”
- “The comedic timing is spot on, adding a delightful layer to the gameplay.”