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Rag Doll Kung Fu is a very fast paced combat fighting game. Rag Doll Kung Fu gives you control over a puppet while mastering the art of Kung Fu. Literally your character, which you may customize to your liking, moves like it’s on strings. You will be sent through numerous challenges, mastering combos, which builds up Chi power. While mastering your skills you will also need to learn how to successfully swing from platforms, throw ninja stars and use weapons to ensure your enemy knows your skills are not to be dealt with. There will be of course rewards for doing well in these challenges. Although there is no on-line multi-player, there is a multi-player function allowing you to play with up to four friends locally or against the computer a.i. There is on-line rankings and trophy support. So I bet your wondering the nitty gritty so lets get down too it.
Graphics: Graphically the game looks great. Your character is made of plastic and it really looks like a puppet on screen. It has a very vibrant and satisfying HD look, and the 3D plastic characters limbs and body parts stretch, move and react in a fun yet very realistic way. Consider how a puppet moves when being controlled, then you’ll understand what I mean by realistic. The surroundings and the way things move, like the trees, or the floating debris, really made it feel like you fighting in a real place. The lighting is good and balanced really well. The only complaint is some items look blurry and un-focused at times.
Gameplay: The game play in Rag Doll is very fast paced and fun as you rely on using your combos to rack up multipliers which turns to Chi power. With Chi power you can meditate to regain some lost health or use your special attacks to deal some major damage to your foes. In the game you will be sent through 9 challenges, the first of which is a tutorial where you will learn the moves and controls and uses of different objects in the game. You will learn everything is basically a weapon, you can pick up pots and boxes and throw them at enemies and they will break open, sometimes leaving goodies like weapons, health etc. Each challenge has medals which are represented as fists that are from least to best, bronze, silver, gold, and plastic. By earning plastic you have exceeded the score to reach this goal and have unlocked all the available rewards for that challenge. The rewards allow complete customization of your character from head to toe. Don’t stop there though. There is on-line rankings so just because you have got the plastic fist doesn’t mean you are the kung fu master. Through out the challenges which are Tutorial, Survival, Sharp Shooter, Capture the Fish, Acrobatics, King of the Hill, Way of the Fire Fly, Cleaning up, and Kung Fu Juggling (all pretty self explanatory) you will be faced with not just combat experiences as speed, technique and precision come into play in others. On the multi-player side of it you can play with up to four friends locally or against the a.i. There is four modes to play Deathmatch, King of the Hill, Capture the Fish, and Dodgeball.
Controls: The controls are very easy to learn and the novice gamer can pick up and start dealing combos right away. The six-axis was implemented by shaking or moving the controller in a certain way and adding the punch or kick button which will achieve a special attack that is uncompromisable. There are plenty of moves, combos, and special attacks to be mastered with the easy control layout that it stays fresh.
Sound: The sound is quality work. The characters all have that very unique sound that any karate master in any karate movie has made. From every punch and kick taken, or dealt, the sound reaction is spot on and very entertaining. For every time you deal a special move or get multipliers a crowd will cheer you on. It echoes like your fighting in front of a crowd and it adds that crowd pleas-er feeling which makes you strive to hear it again. From hearing the sound of the nunchucks as they whip through the air to the “Yawhh” in your voice as you unleash a nasty combo, it sounds good, comes out right and very entertaining.
Replay Value: The replay value is good. Although the game is a little short with only 9 challenges, the ranking system or medals you have to achieve in order to gain all the rewards leaves for much more game to be played. Since it provides trophy support there is plenty of trophies to be gained as well. The multi-player function also adds to the replay value which allows friends to play along. Still though with out the online multi-player it leaves something missing.
Overall:
The good- Fun exciting game play, with challenges that are addicting and keep you picking up the controller again and again. Easy control layout to start dealing death punches right away. Multi-player so friends can play with you. A medal system which leads too rewards galore. Very in depth character customization. The trophy support.
The bad- Objects tend to look blurry at times. The game is relatively short. The six-axis could pose problems trying to remember attacks. No online multi-player
Graphics: 8.5
Gameplay: 9.0
Controls: 8.5
Sound: 8.0
Replay Value: 7.5
Overall: 8.5
My scoring: 1-3 don’t bother. 3-5 needs work. 5-7 enjoyable. 7-9 great. 9-10 must buy.
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