X-Factor:

Call It Fun-Factor

Hearing “that looks so cool!” while watching a video of a soon-to-be-released game is becoming a very common refrain—too common, in fact, as so many games offer glitz and particle effects as their only achievement, while quality gameplay is sadly forgotten. Somewhere along the path to retail stores, the golden question gets cast aside. “Is it fun to play?” That’s the question game designers need to ask, yet looking at many high-profile games, it seems that question has been lost or trampled on somewhere in the process.

That, then, is why a game like Kung Fu Chaos is so refreshing. It’s a back-to-basics, play-it-for-the-fun-of-it kind of game. It drips with the nostalgic flavor of games of yesteryear, when it wasn’t necessarily about “beating” a game (although you certainly can), it was more about playing it again and again, to see if you could better your previous performance. You even get grades on your Kung Fu Chaos prowess for every level you complete, which helps define how well you’ve already done, as well as how much more you need to do to improve.

Monkeys and Kung Fu fighting?!

Kung Fu Chaos is many things, but part of what helps to nail it down is to say what it’s not. Kung Fu Chaos does not boast a ridiculously complex control system; instead, it gives us something much simpler, even elegant. Some may worry that simpler controls may constitute a dummying down of the control scheme. Fear not though. The combination of combos, throws, power moves, taunts, special moves, and ad hoc weapons offer more than enough variety for your gaming pleasure.

Kung Fu Chaos is also a refreshing break from the wave of “serious” games that have come to flood the market. You’ll find no earth-shattering, end-of-the-world story here. You’ll see no 20-minute cut scenes, filled with operatically cheesy attempts to build character or awkward attempts to develop in-game philosophy. Instead, you’ll find a colorful (yeah, that’s right, not all games need to be drab) world that’s soaked in a retro-‘70s-Kung Fu-movie motif that screams silliness and even—dare I say it—humor!

Colorful craziness.

Yes, I know, it’s shocking! How dare the folks at Just Add Monsters instill a little guffaw-inducing wackiness into this sacred market? What do they think this is, a game? Hey, wait, what do you know? That’s exactly what Kung Fu Chaos is, and thankfully, it treats itself like the classically fun piece of entertainment it is. Finally, a game that doesn’t take itself so seriously. Let’s rejoice!

It’s not just about the simple-but-fun gameplay. Another, equally important element is the deliciously ridiculous theme running through the game. I mean, come on, the first thing you’re treated to when loading up Kung Fu Chaos is Kung Fu action by characters with names like Chop & Styx and Captain Won Ton, and it’s all set to a rendition of the classic song “Kung Fu Fighting!” If that doesn’t put a grin on your face, I think you may be in need of your local mortician’s services.

Characters you’ve gotta see to believe.

The opening sequence is just the beginning, though. Not only does this game not mind having some fun with you, it thrives on it. Go ahead and just leave the game idle on a menu and see what happens. You might hear something along the lines of:

“Uh, you’re definitely stupid or something! Just hurry up okay? Uggh!”

This comment comes courtesy of Shao Ting, the game’s wonderfully abrasive, over-the-top director. You see, during the course of the game, your character will be trying to impress Shao Ting during action sequences and crazy mini-games. Impress him enough, and he’ll allow you to keep working in his movie. You’ll find yourself participating in action scenarios with names like “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Princess,” or you may be employed to help out in a mini-game called “A Few Good Stuntmen,” where you’ll attempt to prove your worth by bouncing stuntmen to safety (with a handheld trampoline) as they fly out the window of an upstairs saloon. Make sure you watch out for the plummeting cows though!

You’ve got to wonder what kind of comically deranged mind comes up with these sorts of ideas, but you see, that’s the beauty ofKung Fu Chaos. It’s not afraid to be a little daring and outrageous. It knows it’s a game, and it has fun with it. Thank goodness for that!

By Alex McLain