Kung Fu Rider

Posted 2 years ago By - Marko Djordjevic

When something new is launched, be it a new console or a peripheral, there are always a few titles that shine and a few that make you scratch your head. With the launch of the PS Move, the first title that fits the later category is none other than Kung-Fu Rider. Before I give you my final word, let me explain a bit...

The storyline in Kung-Fu Rider does not make much sense nor do they really attempt to explain it to you. For some odd reason, the two characters - Toby and Karin - have angered the Mob and are now after them to settle things. The objective is to simply race down various courses using objects such as office chairs, toys, stools and other wheeled objects in the shortest amount of time possible. Along the way you can collect money and either attack or avoid the Mafia that stand between you and the finish line. That’s pretty much the entire game in a nut shell. Every level is the same; start from the top and make your way to the bottom where a van is waiting to pick you up. As long as you reach it before the timer is over, you’ve succeeded.

For a PS Move game, Kung-Fu Rider fails to show off what motion gaming can do thanks the poor recognition of the gesture controls. Since the player is riding downhill, acceleration isn’t an issue once the initial motions have been performed. The problems begin with the times where a boost of speed is actually needed. In order to accelerate (or push your chair), you need to flick the controller in a downward motion. This would be fine but in order to jump, you need to flick the controller in an upward motion. Since these actions are opposite, the natural motion of your hand still has you lifting or dropping your arm to return to your starting point. Because of this, the game assumes you’re performing the other action and does it. Now instead of simply travelling, the on-screen avatar is now jumping and any momentum gained is now gone.

The Kung-Fu in the name comes from the very generic fighting situations that get in the way. At times, various Mafia or Triad members will attempt to attack you. There are a few different types of goons to face off against and there are essentially two ways of dealing with them. For the generic ones that simply run at you, clicking the Trigger button will perform a roundhouse kick that easily knocks them out of the way. The other option is to either jump or dodge them completely, which is necessary for those goons with Kendo sticks that can knock you off your ride. Outside of that, the action is forgettable.

Level designs fail to offer anything really unique or challenging. Yes, there are a few alternate routes to take but the problem lies in that the game recycles the same couple of levels over and over again. There are some minor variations each time you play through, but the only real changes occur with enemy placements and how densely populated an area becomes.

Not only are the levels repetitive, so is everything else in the game. There are only a few different character designs in terms of the random people found in the levels and even the cars and trucks repeat too frequently. Nothing stands out in a positive light. There is also a heavy dependency on rag-doll animations. Both Karin and Toby will often have their limbs flail around aimlessly and it looks too goofy for words. Moving forward at a fast clip with your legs behind your head causes more awkward confusion than genuine laughs.

Repetitive and bland continues to be the go-to descriptive terms, even for the game’s sound. Karin and Toby repeat the same lines of dialogue in every level; both referring to the other, hoping that they are alright. The game’s jazz-based soundtrack will make you want to grab the remote just to shut it off as there are only a few songs available and they just don’t seem to fit the game.

Outside of the repetitive levels, there are a few challenge modes which can be played to collect special trinkets hidden throughout. In these stages, the timer is turned off and players can take as much damage as they want. The main objective is to find the various coins that are scattered. Again, just as with the rest of the game, these aren’t anything really impressive and you’ll probably skip them all together.

If Kung-Fu Rider was a PSN download with a $10 price-tag, then there might be a reason to pick it up and waste a couple of hours. It wouldn’t improve the game, but at least you wouldn’t feel cheated. Considering this is a $40 retail title, it just isn’t worth the time or the money. There is absolutely no real enjoyment and the novelty wears off almost immediately. This mash-up of racing and combat is a mess from top to bottom and should be avoided at all cost.