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Mark plays.... Way of the Exploding Fist (C64, ZX Spectrum) - Episode 2
A new series of small videos, not really reviews but just some games I happen to really like. This is episode 2.
Game: Way of the Exploding Fist
Publisher: Melbourne House, 1985
Platform: C64, Sinclair Spectrum, versions for Acorn Electron, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro and Commodore 16 exist too
I am back with a 2nd episode - just trying this out for fun, me showing off a little gameplay on some of my favourite games!
In this episode I look at Way of the Exploding fist a - what could have been a very nice fighting game - ruined by the 'short jab kick' which will basically let you win the whole game in single player mode. In dual player mode it is better possible to enjoy the game as you can both agree not to use the kick or just be on the look out for it. The AI players in both the C64 and the ZX spectrum versions are easily fooled by this move.
As a two player game this is a very nice fighting game. As a single player fighting game it is sadly let down by the AI which has no response to the 'short jab kick' on the c64 and the ZX spectrum versions.
I really have a soft spot for this game and I played it a lot with my brother. Back in the days the game - both the Spectrum and the C64 versions got high review ratings despite the major flaw present in the fighting system.
The ZX spectrum version although lacking the atmospheric music present in the c64 version does feature some very nicely done backdrops which really shine on the Speccy.
As you can see by my gameplay it is still very possible to loose in single player mode. The low-jab-kick was a mistake in single player mode.
The spectum version is actually quite good, plays about the same as the c64 version. Really astonishing work on the backdrop graphics on the ZX version.
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
Wow, I didn't realize how devastating that jab kick was. Pretty silly that the developer didn't playtest the game adequately. I hate tricky techniques like that. That's probably why well-balanced fighting games are so rare and popular; it must be difficult testing out every possibility to make sure there's no unbeatable technique.