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.

Play Modes

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

Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

music2 negative mentions

The Making of Karateka serves as an excellent interactive documentary, providing a deep dive into the history and development of a classic game, complete with interviews, archival footage, and playable prototypes.
The presentation is top-notch, with a well-structured timeline that allows players to explore various aspects of the game's creation while enjoying modern remasters that enhance the original experience.
This collection is a significant achievement in game preservation, showcasing the importance of Karateka in video game history and offering a nostalgic experience for fans and newcomers alike.

The gameplay of Karateka itself feels outdated and clunky by modern standards, which may deter younger players or those unfamiliar with classic games.
The user interface can be confusing, requiring players to navigate back and forth between sections, which disrupts the flow of the documentary experience.
Not all historical versions of Karateka are included, leaving some players disappointed by the absence of other notable ports and versions.

story
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % 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 failures to the creation of the iconic game. The interactive documentary format effectively combines archival footage, interviews, and gameplay, providing a rich context that highlights the game's historical significance and impact on the gaming medium. Overall, it offers an inspiring look at the evolution of a classic title, making it both educational and engaging for players.
- “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.”
- “They did a wonderful job with the documentary footage and the structure of the documentary in general (having you play the prototypes first and then watching the story behind them) but I hated getting booted back to the UI where I needed to navigate to the next section.”
- “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.”
- “The execution of preserving the original game, telling its story, and making it comfortably playable on modern devices, with every single version they could find, is amazing.”
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 design, 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 roots while introducing quality-of-life improvements that cater to a modern audience.
- “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
33 % positive mentions
0 % 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’s early influences and family involvement in the creative process. The charming anecdotes, especially about the father's role in motion capture and the soundtrack's composition, resonate with those who have a fondness for martial arts and 80s pop culture. Overall, it is considered a must-see for fans of the genre.
- “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.”
- “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
67 % positive mentions
-33 % 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 fully enhance the overall experience of the games.
- “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 and uninspired.”
- “While the game attempts to create an immersive world, the graphics often fall flat, lacking the detail and polish expected from modern titles.”
- “Despite some interesting design choices, the graphics are underwhelming and do not live up to the potential of the game's concept.”
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 stuttering during gameplay.”
- “Despite having options to adjust controls and lock the framerate, the overall performance still feels inconsistent and unpolished.”
- “The game struggles with optimization, making it difficult to enjoy the experience without constant technical issues.”