I’ll admit, I’m warming to avatar games on Xbox Live Indie Games slightly. Avaglide was excellent, Juggle! implemented avatars in a moderately interesting way, and Avatar Racedrome wasn’t complete garbage. Avatar Kung-fu is up next, ready to test my somewhat undecided thoughts on the combination of Xbox avatars and gaming.

The game aims for one of those ‘simple to play, difficult to master’ angles, and partially hits the target with button-bashing taking you part of the way, but quick reactions needed to reach the end. Unfortunately, the action is not without its problems – namely shallow attacks, unexplained combos and a lack of checkpoints.

GAMEPLAY

Avatar Kung-fu is a side-scrolling beat em up featuring Xbox avatars are the heroes and villains. You can select your own avatar, then kick and punch your way through reams of baddies. Unlike your usual fighter, however, there are only two attacks – punch and kick – and other than jumping or crouching while using these attacks, there are no special combination moves to pull off.

So far not off to a great start, with rather shallow fighting action on the cards. Even the action available isn’t too interesting either – a single punch or kick will take down an enemy, so it’s simply a case of bashing buttons until everything is dead.

Or is it? Avatar Kung-fu appears devoid of any enjoyment whatsoever, until you get a little further in and begin to notice certain elements. Jump-kick an enemy, and a multiplier will appear in the top corner of the screen. Crouch-punch a baddie and the combo will increase. Get hit, and you’ll lose it – simple as that. With the inclusion of knife-throwers partway through the first level, however, things get a little interesting, as you attempt to jump and duck as you’re bombarded.

What appeared to be an extremely shallow game originally now feels less so – although it’s still not exactly of Street Fighter proportions. It’s incredibly challenging too, and finishing the game will take you a fair while, adding to the single mode’s life. Extra modes would have been nice, though – perhaps a survival mode, or even a multiplayer co-op add-on.

One fatal flaw threatens to have you one-starring this bad boy in the Marketplace, though – the lack of checkpoints. Die during the (rather long) levels, and you’ll be sent all the way back to the start. Not only that, but you’ll also have to wait a very annoying, unskippable cutscene to boot. If checkpoints had been part of the mix, we’d be able to recommend Avatar Kung-fu far more easily – but as it is, the majority of players will most likely become frustrated and give up.

STYLE

Avatar Kung-fu doesn’t look bad at all. The backgrounds repeat over and over as you walk along each level, but the settings are fairly pleasing and give the game a beat-em-up vibe. The avatars fit well in the scenes too – and this is coming from someone who hates Xbox avatars with a passion.

The interface could do with a little work, although it’s nice to see character stats that don’t cover the action. In the music department, you’ve got average tracks with average thwack noises every time your character extends a body part. Does the job, but nothing too interesting.

STORY

Your friend has been kidnapped! You were stood around together, laughing at nothing in particular, when this guy in a skull mask came over and punched your lights out, before nabbing your friend and running off.

Of course, he had no idea that you were a Kung-fu master! Or maybe he did, since he sends hundreds of his associates to finish you off. Either way, it’s a nice touch that you can choose the avatar for both your main character and your kidnapped friend – puts a little personality into play, you could argue.

OTHER

Avatar Kung-fu is an above average fighter, but only if you can stand the lack of checkpoints and don’t mind having to repeat a huge portion of the game every time you die.

If you’re expecting a fighter on the same level as the Streets of Rage series, this is most definitely not what you’re looking forward. If, however, you’re after a game of quick reflexes and high scoreboard topping, you should at least give the demo a download.

BUY/TRY