There’s considerable cross over between video game players and kung-fu film audiences. If we were statisticians, we'd prove it with a Venn diagram… But the point is, games focused on martial arts are an undeniably good idea. Amongst the masses of PS2 titles sketched out at E3 stood two such games both after the black belt rating. One is a game that’s trying to play like a film, the other is a film that’s trying to morph into a game.
First up, Rise To Honour. This ambitious Sony title has tried to capture the true martial-artistry of kung-fu legend, Jet Li - motion-capturing the man himself was the obvious solution. Mr Li will play the part of Kit Yun, high-kicking his way through the Hong Kong criminal underworld. It does seem that playing through this game could provide a genuinely cinematic experience, with a storyline that could have been penned for a (B) movie. The flamboyant 360 degree battle arena and adrenaline-pumped combat sequences are likely to be an impressive spectacle, with the potential to knock the living daylights out of any competition.
On the other, bloody-knuckled hand, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has been announced by Ubi Soft for release, also on the PS2. As an officially licensed game of the film, Yuen Woo-Ping’s martial arts masterpiece has provided a great story and some authentic kung-fu characters for the developers to work with. However, in a stark contrast to Rise To Honour, the game mechanics could let the side down. We’ll have to wait a while until we see who emerges from the dojo unscathed, and who limps out with bloodied nose and swollen face.
First up, Rise To Honour. This ambitious Sony title has tried to capture the true martial-artistry of kung-fu legend, Jet Li - motion-capturing the man himself was the obvious solution. Mr Li will play the part of Kit Yun, high-kicking his way through the Hong Kong criminal underworld. It does seem that playing through this game could provide a genuinely cinematic experience, with a storyline that could have been penned for a (B) movie. The flamboyant 360 degree battle arena and adrenaline-pumped combat sequences are likely to be an impressive spectacle, with the potential to knock the living daylights out of any competition.
On the other, bloody-knuckled hand, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has been announced by Ubi Soft for release, also on the PS2. As an officially licensed game of the film, Yuen Woo-Ping’s martial arts masterpiece has provided a great story and some authentic kung-fu characters for the developers to work with. However, in a stark contrast to Rise To Honour, the game mechanics could let the side down. We’ll have to wait a while until we see who emerges from the dojo unscathed, and who limps out with bloodied nose and swollen face.
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