The Making of Karateka | Game Brain — video game discovery

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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

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

The Making of Karateka screenshot

+11

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 219 reviews

story18 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The Making of Karateka is a masterclass in game preservation, combining interactive gameplay with a rich documentary that explores the history and development of the game.
The presentation is top-notch, featuring interviews, archival footage, and playable prototypes that provide a comprehensive look at the game's impact on the industry.
Digital Eclipse has created a unique experience that appeals to both nostalgic fans and newcomers, making it a must-play for anyone interested in video game history.

The collection is missing several notable versions of Karateka, which may disappoint fans hoping for a complete historical archive.
Some users found the navigation and user interface to be confusing, detracting from the overall experience of the interactive documentary.
While the remastered versions are enjoyable, the original gameplay mechanics of Karateka may feel outdated and frustrating to modern players.

story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
53%
7%
The story aspect of "Making of Karateka" is highly praised for its rich and immersive narrative that chronicles the journey of designer Jordan Mechner, from his early inspirations to the creation of the iconic game. The interactive documentary format, featuring archival footage, interviews, and playable prototypes, effectively contextualizes the game's impact and evolution, making it both educational and engaging. While the storytelling is compelling, some users noted frustrations with navigation and a desire for more visual references to enhance the experience.
- “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.”
- “This interactive documentary tells the story of the creation of one of the most influential games of all time, from its humble beginnings as a college project to its current cult status.”
- “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 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.”
gameplay
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The gameplay of "Making of Karateka" is praised for its innovative mechanics and intricate storytelling, successfully blending a gaming documentary with interactive elements. While it retains the original's rhythm-based gameplay, it introduces new moves and strategies that keep the experience fresh, though some players find the timing challenges to be unforgiving. Overall, the game is recognized for its attention to detail and balance between art and gameplay, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new 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.”
- “I'm not sure if I had already experienced Prince of Persia by that point or not, a game that had a far greater influence on how I saw games; I still liked the elegant simplicity of its design in both gameplay and storytelling.”
- “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
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The music in the game is praised for its thoughtful integration and minimalistic approach, enhancing the overall cinematic experience. The personal anecdotes from the creator's family add charm, highlighting how their involvement shaped the game's soundtrack and atmosphere. The strategic use of silence and music during key moments sets the game apart from its contemporaries, contributing to its lasting impact.
- “The interviews dealing with Mechner’s early years are especially charming as he and his dad reminisce about how the whole family inspired and worked to help Jordan make Karateka, like how his dad dressed up in a karate gi and essentially did the motion capture for the Karateka main character and how he composed the whole soundtrack.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “This book is interesting to read about university and how Jordan succeeded both in programming Karateka and graduating from Yale, how music, programming, real karate sequences, and Jordan's genius made this wonderful game.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
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 adds depth to the presentation, making it both engaging and visually appealing.
- “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 graphics in this game feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern titles.”
- “The character models are poorly designed, making it hard to connect with the game world.”
- “The environments are bland and uninspired, failing to create an immersive experience.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The reviews highlight that the games offer significant replay value, making the experience worthwhile, especially with the inclusion of playable prototypes. However, while remasters by Digital Eclipse enhance playability, they do not fully redeem the original games for some players.
- “The games themselves naturally have tremendous replay value, which makes 'The Making of Karateka' well worth the asking price.”
- “Even the earliest, roughest prototypes (there are playable prototypes!) are fun.”
- “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 to me.”
- “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.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers various optimization options, including the ability to switch between different control schemes and lock the framerate for consistent performance. However, some players prefer to experience the game as it was originally designed, opting to keep these settings off.
- “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.”
- “There are also 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, but I personally prefer to leave those settings off to enjoy these games as they originally were.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the game's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, effectively portraying the emotional highs and lows experienced by characters. This immersive emotional journey resonates deeply with players, enhancing their overall experience.
- “To see somebody else go through that, all the emotional ups and downs.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely regarded as both very funny and inspirational, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “Very funny and inspirational.”

86%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews

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