Games for Lunch: Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic
In a nutshell: Super Smash Bros. meets LittleBigPlanet meets "Robot Chicken."
5/15/2009 6:44 PM | 0 Comments | Page 1 of 3
Developer: Tarsier Studios
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Release Date: April 9, 2009
Systems: PS3 (reviewed), PC
ESRB Rating: M
Official Web site
0:00 The mounds of hype around this indie PC release wasn't enough to get me to even try the demo, but they release a free downloadable version on PSN and I'm there. Go fig.
0:01 "Installing trophies." Really? You have to install the Trophies? What does that even mean? "Creating Save Game," OK. "Adjust Screen Size," done. "Sony Computer Entertainment Presents" ... Havok logo ... Epilepsy Warning ... come ON, I want to PLAY!
0:02 An extremely yellow title screen, with action figures in action poses. There's an Afro Samurai-looking dude, a wizened, white-haired, stereotypical kung-fu master, and a Bruce Lee-alike. Let's jump into the tutorial.
0:03 "Master Tang is a loner," says the loading screen. "The Kung Fu community respects his desire for solitude because he reeks of fish..." Heh.
0:04 Just two attack buttons -- a punch and a kick -- but I can point them in any direction with the left analog stick. A bit odd, since the stick also controls movement, but it works. I love the hilariously jerky movements of the action figure characters -- like marionettes being jerked violently about. The floaty jumping reminds me more than a little bit of
Super Smash Bros.
0:06 I can pick up pots and such and throw them in any direction with the analog stick. I can also pick up a bo staff and swing it around semi-randomly by rotating the right stick. It looks a bit silly, but it works.
0:07 Hitting guys builds up Chi power, which can be converted into health by turning the controller upside down to meditate in place. A clever use of the motion controls if I've ever seen one. I can also shake the controller to summon a projectile lightning ball to hurl at the opposition. This is less clever and more annoying, to me.
0:09 Super-powered "Jolt" attacks and a ground-pounding body slam require holding a button, aiming with the analog stick, AND jerking the controller violently in one direction. Wow, is that ridiculously convoluted. I miss the simplicity of
Smash Bros.' Smash Attacks already.
0:10 After swinging around on the underside of some platforms, it's "Tutorial Completed!" I've unlocked even more challenges.
0:12 The only gameplay modes available seem to be "Challenges" and "Multiplayer." Don't think I'm ready for online multiplayer, and I doubt my wife is eager to play against me, so "Challenges" it is. First up is "Survival." Let's go!
0:13 Quote of the moment, from the loading screen: "Funky dancing is Kung Fu without the violence." I ... I never thought of it like that!
0:15 For the most part, my Survival opponents seem willing to just wander around aimlessly and get pummeled. I'm digging the crazy animation, but the actual combat isn't very satisfying yet. Does the plastic extend into these action figures' brains as well as their fists? Come on, put up a fight!
0:17 Careful what you wish for ... after dispatching a few combatants, the enemies actually start fighting back a bit more. They finally wear me down despite my efforts to meditate and gain back some health (all of which the PS3 seems to miss). Oh well ... it was fun while it lasted. The ability to attack in any direction effortlessly is a nice addition for this type of fighter.
