Karateka

The Good
The finest aspect of Karateka, and one that hasn't lost anything due to the game's age was how well Jordan Mechner could tell a tale with nothing but visuals and musical cues. There is no dialogue, not even text. Characters merely make gestures and the music plays their mood so wonderfully that one knows what the characters are 'saying' without hearing/seeing a single world. It's brilliant and such an achievement has only been achieved a few times in the history of gaming.

For their time frame, the graphics were well done. Crisp, clean, and effective, they were exceptional for when the game came out.

At the time, the basic concept (running down the hall fighting opponents in a very simplified fighting game style) was enjoyably fresh.

The Bad
The gameplay is very repetitive, as you face off against tone lackey after another with minimal to no difference between emplyess.

The fighting style, an early fighting game type of engagement, lacks finesse or true style. You more times than not wind up just mashing buttons until you connect...often using the same maneuver again and again in rapid succession. Aside from a few surprises (like Akuma's falcons attacking), there's little difference between your opponents or how you fight them.

The difficulty level, mixed with the controls and repetitiveness, might scare away many poeple who will find this game somwhat hard and frustrating.

The Bottom Line
An early side-scrolling fighting/action game, Karateka is a classic in the way it tells its story. The game's simplicity is both its charm and its downfall.

The Good
This game is part of that wonderful genre I call the run to the right game. As you run to the right, you will meet and battle various guards, a sinister bird, and the bad dude himself.

Cool music and cut scenes for such an early game. Also, liked the ability to run/walk and bow.

The Bad
If you aren't prepared, you can be killed with a single blow.

Also, remember that you have to be a gentleman to the ladies.

The Bottom Line
Very fun kung-fu game with realistic fighting. Not much of a story, but challenging gameplay. Later fights feel like duels.

The Good
This is the first game I can remember playing that actually had lifelike animation. Jordan Mechner gave us a glimpse of what computer animation could be like in this groundbreaking game.

The game places the player in the role of a hero on a quest to save his beloved. Though somewhat cliché, this game successfully made the player feel part of the story as he maneuvered his way deep into the enemy's mountain fortress.

The controls were easy to use and effectively made us of the Apple joystick's two buttons and 8 directions of movement.

Though the Apple II's sound capabilities were unquestionably weak, this game effectively used them to generate surprisingly decent sound effects and music. And finally, the game's conclusion was heroic and satisfying.

The Bad
The only failing of this game was the hardware it was developed for. The Apple II had bizarre colors and weak sound facilities. But this game utilized them to the fullest.

The Bottom Line
A great action/adventure game showcasing pioneering animation techniques and technology.