Yie Ar Kung Fu 2

Copyright : Imagine | Reviewed by : Ritchardo

Eight more deadly opponents to combat as you advance to become a black-belt master.

The follow-up to the smash hit Mastergame, Yie Ar Kung-Fu looks to build on the success of the original and add a few new touches to the formula.

Graphics

Abandoning the bright, cartoon look of its predecessor, Yie Ar Kung Fu II uses much bigger sprites for its warriors and while this gives the game a slightly more realistic look, it detracts from the feel of the game as if anything all of the fighters look drastically overweight.

The colour scheme is drab and unispiring, and gives the package a budget feel that is unbecoming of a big licence game.

Animation is dodgy also, a particular annoyance is the shudder of the fighters when they are hit by their opponent and long gaming sessions are likely to induce migraines.

This all sounds terribly negative but the graphics are, it should be pointed out, only very average not terrible but far from the standard which we should be able to expect.

Sound

A repetitive series of notes pass as a tune that kicks in whenever your fighter drops low in health. The tune is effective in the sense that it does convey a sense of tension and almost desperation as you come closer and closer to the point when your character collapses in a worn-out heap. Sound effects are limited to the predictable noises when fist or foot connects with flesh and bone.

Gameplay

It?s never easy following up a hit game, particularly one in such a narrow genre as the one-on-one beat-em-up. When compared with its ancestor, Yie Ar Kung Fu II is an abject failure. A painfully average game in its own right, when taking in to consideration its pedigree, the game becomes a downright embarrassment.

As Lee Young you must defeat a squad of kung-fu experts each with their own special weapon and skills. On each level you must travel through three screens were midgets hurl themselves across screen at head or foot level who you must either destroy or avoid to save your energy for the big battle.

Assuming you navigate your way safely through these terrible foes (and believe me, it?s a safe assumption), you?ll come face to face with one of your enemies. And they?re tough. Much tougher than you. Difficult adversaries are nothing new in beat-em-ups: it?s what makes the games fun and challenging after all. Sadly Yie Ar Kung Fu II forgets to make your fighter any cop at all. For a supposed Kung-Fu expert, Lee Young is limited to only being able to punch or kick his opponents and, get this, his punches and kicks are much weaker than his opponents meaning you need at least double the number of shots on target to be victorious? and they can hit you at a further out range than you can? hmmm?

Fear not though because by grabbing the dish of chow mein that occasionally falls from the heavens you can become impervious to pain for a short period of time? as you do?

As I said earlier comparing this to Yie Ar Kung-Fu is unfair and ultimately unflattering however even as a stand alone game this would be pretty abysmal.

Limited fighting moves and almost insurmountable odds will give you absolutely no reason to come back.