(Reviewed on PC)
(Available on Xbox 360 and PC)
(Available on Xbox 360 and PC)
One Finger Death Punch is a fast-paced, stick figure beat ‘em up that revolves entirely around the use of only two buttons. Developed by Silver Dollar Games, One Finger Death Punch is a self-proclaimed on-rails fighter. It combines very simple controls, deep mechanics, and a witty atmosphere to produce an experience akin to one you might find through mobile gaming.
Immediately upon starting up the game, its cliché 90s-action-movie-kung-fu theme becomes very apparent. An overdone Chinese-accented commentator accompanies you throughout the game. As well as being a good source of comedic relief, he also acts as a guide and instructor. Load screens are plastered with a variety of oriental symbols and martial artists. The only thing that really throws off the atmosphere is the techno/synth music that plays during missions. It suits the hectic style of the game, but it doesn’t fit the kung fu theme that the visuals set up. Regardless, the atmosphere remains a clever one, and it will certainly make you nostalgic for some classic, cheesy action flicks.
The visuals are simple, but aesthetically pleasing. Every character in the game is a stick figure, and different types are denoted by color. Animations are slick and carry out flawlessly. Certain attacks have a unique glowing effect added to them. Background designs are anime-inspired; lighthearted and vibrant in color. The overall visual design is very sleek, and there’s beauty to be found in the simplicity of it all.
Frenetic gameplay is integral to One Finger Death Punch’s identity. There are two modes: levels and survival. The levels mode is a large collection of challenge missions spanning over a map. These missions have varying win conditions and settings. Survival is unlocked after completing a survival mission in the levels mode. It pits the player against an endless wave of stick figure baddies until your health bar has been depleted. The variation in modes is almost pointless, though, because it mostly boils down to just killing all the enemies as fast as you can. Combat is easy to pull off as you only use two buttons: X and B for Xbox 360 players and the left and right mouse buttons for PC players. The X and left mouse buttons attack enemies on the left side of the player, and the B and right mouse buttons attack enemies on the right side of the player. Players can’t move side to side, but individual attacks will move your character across the screen. Attacks are incredibly fast and offer a wide array of animations that are randomly selected as you combo from one move to another. Button mashing is strongly persuaded against as attacking while an enemy is not in range will result in a miss, leaving your character open for an enemy attack for a short time. Losing all your health or not completing the mission’s requirements will result in a loss, but completing a mission earns the player points and a medal depending on how many misses there were. This is the core gameplay, and it doesn’t vary much from a system that proves enjoyable.
Frenetic gameplay is integral to One Finger Death Punch’s identity. There are two modes: levels and survival. The levels mode is a large collection of challenge missions spanning over a map. These missions have varying win conditions and settings. Survival is unlocked after completing a survival mission in the levels mode. It pits the player against an endless wave of stick figure baddies until your health bar has been depleted. The variation in modes is almost pointless, though, because it mostly boils down to just killing all the enemies as fast as you can. Combat is easy to pull off as you only use two buttons: X and B for Xbox 360 players and the left and right mouse buttons for PC players. The X and left mouse buttons attack enemies on the left side of the player, and the B and right mouse buttons attack enemies on the right side of the player. Players can’t move side to side, but individual attacks will move your character across the screen. Attacks are incredibly fast and offer a wide array of animations that are randomly selected as you combo from one move to another. Button mashing is strongly persuaded against as attacking while an enemy is not in range will result in a miss, leaving your character open for an enemy attack for a short time. Losing all your health or not completing the mission’s requirements will result in a loss, but completing a mission earns the player points and a medal depending on how many misses there were. This is the core gameplay, and it doesn’t vary much from a system that proves enjoyable.
There is a surprising amount of depth and strategy to be found in One Finger Death Punch. A plethora of weapon and enemy types force you to adjust your tactics on the fly. New enemy types are constantly being introduced and each must be dealt with in a specific manner. The game really tests your mettle when a half-dozen different enemy types decide to stampede you all at once. A slew of combos and special attacks keeps it feeling fresh. It’s vital to know when to pick your spots and attack a certain enemy over another or which direction to throw that final projectile. The earlier missions can be done mindlessly, but things quickly ramp up and you’ll soon find yourself absorbed into the action.
Despite not being a mobile game, One Finger Death Punch plays a lot like one. Its ingenious combination of simple controls and deep mechanics results in a truly enjoyable experience. It’s great for playing several minutes, or even several hours, at a time due to its accessible nature. However, it shares a major fault that most mobile games seem to possess: its novelty is sure to wear off rather quickly. And although it hasn’t got any story to impress the lore-hungry gamers, its addicting and immersive gameplay is sure to win over anyone who loves a good beat ‘em up.
Despite not being a mobile game, One Finger Death Punch plays a lot like one. Its ingenious combination of simple controls and deep mechanics results in a truly enjoyable experience. It’s great for playing several minutes, or even several hours, at a time due to its accessible nature. However, it shares a major fault that most mobile games seem to possess: its novelty is sure to wear off rather quickly. And although it hasn’t got any story to impress the lore-hungry gamers, its addicting and immersive gameplay is sure to win over anyone who loves a good beat ‘em up.
Overview:
Category Graphics Immersion Story and Narrative Sound Gameplay Lasting Appeal | Description Every character is a stick figure. Animations are smooth. Colors are vibrant and jump out at you. Simple, yet aesthetically pleasing. The hectic combat is sure to drag you in, and you may even have difficulty turning away from this addicting game at first. Nonexistent. The music is frenetic, and its techno/synth beats match up perfectly with the combat, but they don’t really fit into the kung fu theme of the game. It’s fun and addicting. Varying enemy and weapon types force you to constantly add to your repertoire of tactics. With only two attack buttons, there is a surprising amount of depth to be found. Aside from being comprised entirely of stick figure fighters, there’s not really much to remember. You’ll probably play it for a few hours, maybe even a few days, but you'll forget about it soon after. Its novelty wears off pretty quickly. |
Final Score:
7.2/10 - Good