Kung Fu Chaos
| Kung Fu Chaos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Just Add Monsters |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Designer(s) | Tameem Antionades Nina Kristensen Mike Ball |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Fighting, party |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Distribution | DVD |
Kung Fu Chaos, known as Kung Fu Panic (カンフーパニック) in Japan, is a 3D fighting/party game developed by Just Add Monsters and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released worldwide for the Xbox in 2003.
Plot
Kung Fu Chaos often breaks the fourth wall. The entire game is about the player controlling a selection of characters making a kung fu film. The actions of these characters are then processed as films and the player can watch them. Although the game is centered around a classic kung fu film, it has certain characters and levels that do not belong in a martial arts film (such as a city under attack by aliens).
Characters
- Master Sho Yu: An elderly martial arts master.
- Ninja Fu Hiya: A blue ninja. Prized possession is his signed poster of Bruce Lee.
- Monkey: A parody of the Monkey King from Journey to the West. Became immortal after urinating on the Mountain king's favorite tablecloth.
- Lucy Cannon: A parody of blaxploitation heroes such as Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones. Prized possession is Babydoll, her shotgun.
- Xui Tan Sour: A young martial artist who seeks to avenge her parents, who were killed by members of a rival circus, parodying the idea that in martial arts films, the hero/heroine is avenging their families' death from a rival, often a rival clan.
- Chop & Styx: A samurai and baby pair that parodies Lone Wolf and Cub.
- Candi Roll: A roller-skating blonde.
- Captain Won Ton: An overweight luchadore. Wrestler by day, justice avenger by rest of the day.
- Shao Ting: The film's loud and obnoxious director. He also serves as the final boss of the game. He sees himself as a womanizer, and after creating Kung Fu Chaos the Movie, with no plot whatsoever, he creates an experimental art film where he runs around naked for two hours chased by zombie nurses.
Development
Kung Fu Chaos is the first game developed by the Cambridge-based developer Just Add Monsters. The game's concept was co-created by design director Tameem Antoniades, producer Nina Kristensen, and technical director Mike Ball once the company was founded.[1] According to Antoniades, the game was prototyped in three months using four to eight people.[2]
In early 2003, Just Add Monsters began working on a more mature-styled sequel to the game titled Kung Fu Story. However, realizing it would be a difficult idea to sell an existing IP to prospective publishers, they shifted their focus on developing for the next-generation of consoles. Specifically, they started work on a new IP, Heavenly Sword for the PlayStation 3.[2] The company resurfaced in 2004 under the name Ninja Theory after it was purchased by former Argonaut Games CEO Jez San.[3]
Reception
- 6.5 - GameSpot Rating[citation needed]
- 6.7 - Press Rating Average[citation needed]
- 6.3 - IGN Rating[citation needed]
- 68/100 - Metacritic[4]
- 76% - Game Rankings[citation needed]
Kung Fu Chaos was included among the best Xbox games by IGN in 2005.[5]
References
- ↑ Wright, Gavin (1 March 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos: Just Add Monsters Interview". Gaming Target. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Reed, Kristan (3 September 2004). "This Sword's Gone To Heaven". Eurogamer. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ↑ Wilson, Andrew (15 November 2004). "Just Add Monsters Morphs Into Ninja Theory". Gamasutra. UBM plc. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ↑ "Kung Fu Chaos for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
- ↑ Life of the Party, IGN, 7 July 2005