Kung Fu Chaos
| Kung Fu Chaos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Just Add Monsters |
| Publisher(s) |
Microsoft Game Studios Golden Marvellous Productions |
| Designer(s) |
Tameem Antionades Nina Kristensen Mike Ball |
| Artist(s) | Antonio Paliman |
| Writer(s) |
Kami Back James Richardson |
| Composer(s) |
Andrew Barnabas Paul Arnold |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) |
Fighting party 3-D |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
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 on 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
Original main
- 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.
Original recurring
- 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]
Production
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
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Kung Fu Chaos received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight, one seven, one eight, and one seven, for a total of 30 out of 40.[9]
The game was included among the best Xbox party games by IGN in 2005.[20]
References
- ↑ Wright, Gavin (1 March 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos: Just Add Monsters Interview". Gaming Target. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- 1 2 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.
- 1 2 "Kung Fu Chaos for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Kung Fu Chaos - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Edge staff (April 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos". Edge (122).
- ↑ EGM staff (April 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos". Electronic Gaming Monthly (165): 128.
- ↑ Reed, Kristan (14 April 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos". Eurogamer. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- 1 2 "Latest Dorimanga/Famitsu reviews". The MagicBox. 22 May 2003. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
- ↑ Mason, Lisa (March 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos". Game Informer (119): 88. Archived from the original on 1 December 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Dan Elektro (26 February 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Gee, Brian (March 2003). "Kung-Fu [sic] Chaos Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Kasavin, Greg (28 February 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Nutt, Christian (24 February 2003). "GameSpy: Kung Fu Chaos [words missing are "Other levels involve basic", and "A Toad in a Liquidizer"]". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 30 December 2005. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Valentino, Nick (8 March 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 1 January 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (19 February 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos Review". IGN. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ "Kung Fu Chaos". Official Xbox Magazine: 85. April 2003.
- ↑ Boyce, Ryan (26 February 2003). "Kung Fu Chaos". Maxim. Archived from the original on 13 April 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Catucci, Nick (25 March 2003). "In Da Fight Club". The Village Voice. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ Perry, Douglass C.; Clayman, David (7 July 2005). "Life of the Party". IGN. Retrieved 16 September 2015.