If there was ever a time for a walk down memory lane it is now. With everything going on it’s great to play a game that brings you back to your childhood while propelling you into the future of a great series. Flux Game Studio has developed Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues, and it is a top play for me this year already. This tie-in beat ‘em up title will have you rocking for your favorite dojo.
I am completely in love with Cobra Kai the television show and now the video game has me even more in love with the Karate Kid universe. The greatest part of this title is the ability to play as students and masters from both Miyagi-Do Karate and Cobra Kai Dojo. I of course am an OG Miyagi-Do man so that is how I started. Your first mission takes you through the Golf and Stuff that is familiar from the movies and the show. You start as Sam and quickly learn how to play. If you go with Cobra Kai you will be Miguel and learn to play from that side of the story. I have strong feelings for this title because it feels like an upgraded Double Dragon with Street Fighter type moves included. Clearly, it isn’t super realistic to the show but that is what makes it great.
The progression system is what makes all of your character’s skills better. Leveling each characters fighting abilities and powers up is one thing, but you can level up your dojo as well. That brings in an RPG element that I feel is great for Cobra Kai. It is good because you get to feel more involved in how your personal story evolves. Another mechanic that helps with that is the ability to switch between members of the dojo at any time during your run. For example, I start a raid as same and can switch to Daniel or Robby with the push of a button. This is crucial if your character is hurt because the other ones won’t be and then you have a fresh fighter to take out the bad guys. If your dojo skill is full use it against the bad guys. A dojo skill is a special attack for your fighters and each one is different. These are fun skills to use.
Music and voice recordings are important when tying a game to anything that has previously been made like a television show. The music is on point with the genre for the films and the time period itself. The songs from the show are timeless and some of the most iconic songs in movie history. Tie that in with the voiceovers by most of the main cast and you have a winning formula that binds the galaxy together.
The main thing that I find difficult is the movement portion of combat. I said before that it is like Double Dragon, and it is when it comes to walking. You can only punch and kick one way or another to the left or right. You cannot attack on an angle and that is very limiting. Punching and kicking are in a straight line and the only way to attack multiple people at once is by use of the dojo skill or moving around the screen until all the enemies are grouped together for your kicks and hits to go. I also get that some games are limited on what they can do for map movement and everything, but I think it would be cool if we could have an open world Cobra Kai game where walking around the map and fighting people is more fluid. Currently, you have to cursor all around the map to get to your next destination.
Note: Our copy was reviewed on PlayStation 4 with a code provided by PR.
