Showing posts with label Martial arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martial arts. Show all posts

Best Nintendo Switch Games For Family Fun: The Karate Kid: Street Rumble

For this family fun game night title... it wouldn't hurt to serve up a Karate Kid film (+ Pizza) for your family to enjoy before knuckling up in this 4-player beat 'em up! (HAJIME!)

 

THE KARATE KID: STREET RUMBLE (CONSOLES & PC)

Experience The Karate Kid trilogy like never before as you battle from the dojo to the streets in this retro-style co-op beat ’em up

It's always an honor to serve up more... Family Fun Gaming, because it's an opportunity for families to get together and enjoy quality time together. We meet all sorts of families who visit Orlando, Florida, and it's always cool to see the faces of their children light up when we recommend that they join in on one of their children's favorite passtimes. When they agree, because it really didn't dawn on them that it's an opportunity for bonding time... it's a beautiful thing. It usually hits them when they're told that their children will look back and remember these enjoyable times, especially when you consider the affordability of many couch co-op titles.

In addition to the bonding and quality times, games allow you to do things like relieve stress while having a blast, among additional benefits that most movies & TV shows don't deliver.

In the case of The Karate Kid: Street Rumble... your children learn about teamwork and accomplishing objectives together. These skills are a great thing to instill at an early age so that they know the importance of working with others and not feeling as if they have to do everything alone. As adults, a number of us have tried to do such a thing in the past or present or... know someone in that boat (which can be in or outside the workplace). So... let the teamwork unconsciously begin, and who knows... you might have a little teambuilder in the making as you experience The Karate Kid trilogy like never before! Battle from the dojo to the streets in this retro-style co-op beat 'em up!

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble has officially launched today on consoles and PC, offering fans a chance to relive the original The Karate Kid trilogy in a retro-stylized, pixel-art co-op adventure.

Perfect Couch Co-Op

This game is ideal for couch co-op sessions. After watching one or more of the films (from The Karate Kid collection), your children will have a better understanding of the characters they’ll be playing as and the bosses they’ll face.

Play as Iconic Character

Step into the shoes of beloved characters like Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, Ali Mills, and Kumiko. Face off against Cobra Kai’s Johnny Lawrence, John Kreese, Terry Silver, and other rivals who are determined to dominate Miyagi-Do Karate forever.

Intense Martial Arts Combat

Master intense martial arts combat in frenetic brawls inspired by iconic arcade beat 'em ups. The game captures the essence of classic arcade fighting games, providing a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both new and old fans of The Karate Kid series.



Key Game Features

  • Relive the Classic Movies: Experience the adventures of the original The Karate Kid trilogy like never before while taking on the challenges of Cobra Kai and other powerful foes. Crane kick through 12 intense levels inspired by the films, including Topanga Beach, West Valley High, Cobra Kai Dojo, the All Valley Tournament and more!
  • Retro-Style Action & Glory: Brawl across a stunning pixel-art world that pays homage to the golden age of 16-bit gaming. Immerse yourself in the '80s with a thrilling chiptune soundtrack that captures the action and spirit of the series.

  • Become a Martial Arts Master: Execute powerful combos, perform signature moves, and defend against your enemies' relentless attacks in dynamic combat. Each level presents new challenges and foes inspired by the films' most memorable characters.

  • Battle Challenging Foes: Face off against legendary villains like Johnny Lawrence, John Kreese, Terry Silver, and other formidable opponents in epic martial arts battles.
  • Karate Co-op: Fight alongside your friends in local co-op action for up to four players as Daniel Russo, Mr. Miyagi, Kumiko, and Ali Mills! 

You know what would've been a great DLC addition to this game? The character's from 2010's The Karate Kid, so that we can also take on the role of... Dre Parker, Mr. Han, and also play through that story. Will we see this DLC emerge one of these days? Who knows, but... I will see if it's possible by providing this to the dev team!

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble is available today on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 5, Playstation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam for $39.99. This game is licensed by Sony Pictures Consumer Products, developed by Odaclick and published by GameMill Entertainment. Gather your family and friends, grab your controllers, and dive into the action-packed world of The Karate Kid: Street Rumble! Fun it up... and game on after this First 30!



This game is rated E10+ for Everyone!






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Black Myth: Wukong... Reviewed + First 30 Gameplay!


Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG developed by Game Science, inspired by the classic 16th-century Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. The game follows the adventures of Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, a central character in the novel.

Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It tells the story of the monk Xuanzang’s pilgrimage to India to obtain sacred Buddhist texts, accompanied by his three protectors: Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), and Sha Wujing (Sandy). Sun Wukong, the most famous of the trio, is known for his incredible strength, agility, and magical abilities, including shapeshifting and summoning mini-clones of himself.

In Black Myth: Wukong, players control a character based on Sun Wukong, referred to as the “Destined One.” The game features a rich world filled with yaoguai, supernatural creatures from Chinese mythology. These creatures possess various abilities like shapeshifting, creating illusions, and causing diseases. The protagonist wields a magical staff, the Ruyi Jingu Bang, which can change size and is a key element in combat.

The game not only brings to life the fantastical elements of Journey to the West but also delves deep into Chinese folklore and mythology, offering players a unique cultural experience. The yaoguai, for instance, are inspired by ancient Chinese beliefs in supernatural beings. That said, is the game worth your time and your dime? Well, let's find out!


Gameplay: When it comes to gameplay, I have to say that this game is unforgiving. There are some enemies like the wolves that are easier to take on, but don’t get it twisted because some are stronger than others. You will notice that some of the wolves are a bit more put together in regards to their garb, compared to others who are a bit more disheveled. The ones in clean garb seem to have a bit more training... versus swinging wildly only to leave their back exposed like the more inexperienced wolves. That said, don't overlook an enemy who isn’t a boss-type, because they can definitely give you a run for your… Yen.

The combat system in Black Myth: Wukong is both smooth and realistic. While you can skillfully wield your staff to fend off attacks and protect yourself from arrows, there's a limit to how many you can block before some inevitably get through... and you end up with an arrow to the knee. Additionally, not all attacks can be parried, as some enemies are simply too powerful. In many situations, it's best to dodge and wait for the right moment to strike. Initially, your attacks, dodging, and running will be effective to some degree, but as you progress and build up your skill tree, you'll transition from merely surving to becoming a formidable force. Trust me, your badassness awaits!

The skill tree in this game gets me excited because with every upgrade, you're a step closer to God-like status. That excites me because I want to wield that power when it comes to taking on the biggest baddest foes. You use Sparks as the way to upgrade your "Abilities," "Foundation," and your "Spells." Let's take a break from talking about the gameplay and actually check it out... shall we?



I won't hold the initial freeze against them since it doesn't ruin the gameplay.


Visuals: Black Myth: Wukong is visually impressive, especially if your PC has the right specs. I don’t want to give away any spoilers as far as the opening experience is concerned, but what I will say is that it’s grand and gives you an amazing idea of what’s to come. When it comes to the standard visuals, you will see references to Chinese mythology. Outside of the statues and engravings, the influences are also there in terms of the supernatural creatures. Trust me, I’ve seen some crazy stuff in this game, including something that’s larger than life with a boulder-sized head. I came across a Jinchi that looks like some sort of monk, but it’s green and appears to be covered in reptilian scales and has a robe with beads (oh and I can't forget about the tail). I have yet to take on this giant being, but he’s not the only thing I came across while scratching the surface of this mythical adventure.



Minimum Specs:

  • CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 8 GB (6GB NVD)
  • PIXEL SHADER: 6.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 6.0
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended Specs:

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-9700 / AMD Ryzen 5 5500
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT / INTEL Arc A750
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 8 GB (6GB NVD)
  • PIXEL SHADER: 6.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 6.0
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 130 GB


Audio: This game has some crispy interesting sounds from creatures able to talk, and others delivering creepy grunts, growls, howls, and I don't know what to expect next. Who am I kidding, if  I hear a monster pop up telling me that I can save on car insurance... I'm heading for the hills. The creatures that speak are able to make your skin crawl just as much or more... based on how they sound or if you don't see them but... you hear them out of nowhere. When they break through the silence, you just might feel a chill up your spine. Another element when it comes to the audio that you could appreciate is the background music. The music is subtle, but it adds to the depth. It delivers a martial arts movie-like feel with prominent drums leading the way and suble sounds from what sounds like the Dizi, Guzheng, and the Erhu.


Price: Pricewise, you can get Black Myth: Wukong
 for $59.99. Is it worth the price? Absolutely, just make sure you have enough hard drive space for your purchase because it requires 130 GB of storage. So just prepare, and with that said, you can just about imagine all the bosses packed into this game. If you take them on strategically, items obtained from besting one boss can help you better take on the next as you level up your badassness (i.e., I obtained the Immobilize Spell while taking on the Bullguard... which has aided me in battle). 


You have a ton of replay value here when you think about the skill tree and being sent back to the drawing board to figure out how to better approach a boss, so if this is your type of game, you won’t be sorry in terms of getting your money’s worth. Are you ready to become the "Destined One"?

Black Myth: Wukong is available now on PC & Playstation with Xbox getting a release at a later time.


Gameplay 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points



 + Sophi 

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Sclash: Don't underestimate this 2D Samurai fighting game + the First 30!

 


Slice Into Sclash - The Tense 2D Samurai Fighter Available Now

PC Version Also Gets New Sakura DLC Today in This Unique Hand-Drawn Fighter

Console players can now experience the exhilarating tension of samurai duels, as the critically acclaimed 2D fighting game Sclash slashes its way onto Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S! Developed by Bevel Bakery and published by Maximum Entertainment and Abiding Bridge, Sclash brings the art of sword combat to life with gorgeous hand-drawn characters battling across stunningly painted environments.



In Sclash, a single well-timed strike can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Players must carefully manage their stamina and breathing while sizing up opponents, looking for the perfect opening to unleash a deadly blow. With an intuitive yet supremely skill-testing combat system, Sclash captures the patient lethality and solemn drama of traditional samurai duels.

"We wanted to recreate the intense psychological warfare and surgical precision of real sword fighting in a way that was both accessible and endlessly rewarding to master," said Yuki Morimoto, lead developer at Bevel Bakery. "Sclash's deceptively simple controls belie an incredibly deep combat system that forces you to be hyper aware of everything from your spacing to your breath control."

Fun fact: Our dojo was split between karateka like myself... who were learning Uechi Ryu, and the other half were Kendo & Iaido. So while we were empty handed, they had (wooden) swords outside of certain occassions where non-battle ready blades came out for demonstration. Good times. -  Blu 

While the game may seem minimalist on the surface, players can take their skills online and duke it out against other samurai masters from around the world. There's also an immersive story mode that fleshes out the conflict between the warring Aki and Natsu clans through the lens of Japanese culture and history.

Perhaps Sclash's most stunning feature, though, is the breathtaking hand-drawn visual style that brings the characters and environments to life. Each of the 5 playable samurai characters and their 50+ unlockable skins has been painstakingly animated frame-by-frame, while the 16 battleground stages look like living Japanese ink-brush paintings. It's a real feast for the eyes.

The storymode is badass. Really look at the environment when you're in the heat of battle (especially the boss battles) and remind yourself that it's... hand drawn. I have to share this one with my Renshi, and i'm sure our Kyoshi would've been impressed. HAJIME! -  Blu 

To celebrate the console launch, Maximum Entertainment is also releasing the "Sakura" DLC for the existing PC version of Sclash today. This new add-on content includes two new customization items inspired by the iconic Japanese cherry blossom imagery.

Since first releasing on PC back in August 2023, Sclash has cultivated a passionate following among fighting game enthusiasts who appreciated its unique spin on the genre's fundamentals. With its easy-to-learn but insanely difficult-to-master mechanics and stunning visual style, it quickly established itself as an under-the-radar gem.

Now, with Sclash finally making the leap to consoles, an even wider audience can discover the unparalleled tension and exquisite artistry of this new take on samurai sword-fighting games. Grab your controller of choice, steady your breath, and prepare to put your focus and reflexes to the ultimate test against worthy foes. Just don't blink, or it may be Sclashed!


If it were me, I'd hold game tournaments at dojos, but... that's just me. HAJIME! -  Blu 







Sophima
 + Blu 

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