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

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 83 reviews

story5 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The Making of Karateka is a masterclass in game preservation, offering a rich interactive documentary experience that combines gameplay with historical context.
The collection includes multiple versions of Karateka, playable prototypes, and remastered games, showcasing the evolution of game design and the impact of Jordan Mechner's work.
Digital Eclipse has created a beautifully presented package that not only honors the original game but also provides fascinating insights into its development and significance in gaming history.

The collection is missing several notable versions of Karateka, such as those for NES and MS-DOS, which detracts from its completeness as a preservation effort.
Some players found the navigation and structure of the interactive documentary to be confusing, making it difficult to fully enjoy the experience.
While the remastered versions improve gameplay, the original Karateka is considered by some to be slow and clunky, which may not appeal to modern gamers.

story
15 mentions
33 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Making of Karateka" is highly praised for its immersive and detailed narrative that chronicles the journey of designer Jordan Mechner, from his early inspirations to the creation of the iconic game. The interactive documentary format effectively combines archival footage, interviews, and playable prototypes, providing a rich context that highlights the game's historical significance and impact on the gaming medium. Overall, the storytelling is described as compelling and well-structured, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with the original game.
- “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.”
- “I hated getting booted back to the UI where I needed to navigate to the next section.”
- “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.”
- “If you've seen Atari 50, the setup is similar, only instead of telling the story of an entire company, this collection uses old documentation, recent interviews, and freshly unearthed prototypes of prior games to focus its lens on a single masterwork game, Karateka.”
gameplay
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Making of Karateka" is a blend of innovative mechanics and rhythm-based challenges that enhance the original's classic elements, offering a fresh and engaging experience. While some players find the timing puzzles unforgiving, the game successfully combines storytelling with gameplay, making it accessible for both new and returning players. Overall, it pays homage to its predecessor while introducing quality-of-life improvements and new strategies that keep the gameplay captivating.
- “I'm really enjoying what this groundbreaking release is: a combination of a gaming documentary with actual gameplay to help create a whole new experience.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
music
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its nostalgic and personal connection, particularly through interviews that highlight the composer Jordan Mechner's early influences and family involvement in creating the soundtrack. Reviewers find the charming anecdotes, especially those involving Mechner's father, to be a delightful addition that enhances the overall appreciation of the game's music.
- “I appreciate the analysis of the music.”
- “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 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.”
- “If your childhood was half spent in a gi, dreaming of when you could take out one of the girls in Poison's music videos, this is required viewing.”
replayability
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the games offer significant replay value, particularly noting the enjoyment found in even the earliest prototypes. However, while remastered versions by Digital Eclipse are more playable, they do not significantly enhance the overall experience of the games.
- “The games themselves naturally have tremendous replay value, making '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 for 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.”
- “The games themselves naturally have tremendous replay value, which makes 'The Making of Karateka' well worth the asking price.”
graphics
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are praised for their stunning blend of nostalgia and modern design, creating a beautifully crafted world that captivates players from the outset. The remastered titles showcase improved visuals while maintaining the essence of the originals, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
- “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.”
- “The developers of this title remade both Karakeka and Deathbounce with improved graphics, but the overall visual experience still feels lacking compared to modern standards.”
- “While the game attempts to create an immersive world, the graphics often fall flat, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Despite some interesting design choices, the graphics are outdated and detract from the overall experience.”
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 layout, 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 lag.”
- “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 suffers from poor optimization, making it difficult to enjoy the experience without constant stuttering and lag.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting the impactful portrayal of characters experiencing significant emotional highs and lows, which resonates deeply with the audience.
- “To see somebody else go through that, all the emotional ups and downs.”
- “The game made me feel a deep connection to the characters and their struggles.”
- “I was moved to tears by the story; it resonated with my own experiences.”