Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic

"Rag-Doll Kung Fu; sounds weird, plays weird, IS weird, but decent."

Rag-Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic is a side-scrolling brawler. You choose a character, a game mode, and an arena. Then you use rag-doll physics to punch, kick, and otherwise harm your opponent. Sounds like a fun concept, doesn't it? Unfortunately, this game doesn't (fully) live up to that concept.

Gameplay

This is the part of the game where it truly shines. Punches, kicks, and other attacks use rag-doll physics, so it plays fairly well. The Sixaxis element really works, and adds a nice set of new moves that are fun to execute. Although you may accidentally use one by mistake, it will usually work in your favor.

Although it works and functions well, one element of the gameplay is flawed. The massive number of moves and controls will make casual gamers cry like babies. This is really one of the only gameplay flaws, but it packs a mean punch to a laid-back gamer.

Story

Although it could have made a great one, there is no real story in this game. The challenges are just a random sequence of training exercises. Some people say the challenges make a story, and after playing it a few times, I saw a tiny sliver of it, but not enough to make the cut.

Graphics

The graphics for this game are top-noch. The environments, characters, and items look very convincing, and some of the onscreen punch and kick effects are dazzling. Truly great.

Sound

The sound is... okay. The music is great at first, but gets repetitive and boring very quickly. The sound effects sometimes drown the music out, and (although a blessing in disguise) gives an uneven balance of music and SFX. Not the best, but not the worst either.

Play Time/Replayability

To complete the challenges at the bare minimum, (Bronze rating) it will take you about 2-3 hours. Although it is short at first, unlocking all of the secrets takes quite a while. The replayability, given this concept, is at the top of the list. Playing the challenges over again for a higher rating is a frustrating task, but a fun one at that.

Multiplayer

The multiplayer is fun, with four modes that give you a choice when friends come over. Some trophies require you to play multiplayer matches, so if you're going for 100% game completion, multiplayer is a must.

The one thing that hurts this game the most is this: there is no online multiplayer for this game. This really puts a dent into the game. To play with your friends, you have to be in the same room.

Final Thoughts

This is a game that has many flaws, but makes up for some of them. If you have the money, buy it.
If you have enough money for another beat-em-up, get that one instead.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 08/20/09

Game Release: Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic (US, 04/09/09)