Tap-Fu [App Store]
Daniel: Hey – you ever get into fights when you were a kid?
Miyagi: Huh – plenty.
Daniel: Yeah, but it wasn’t like the problem I have, right?
Miyagi: Why? Fighting fighting. Same same.
With the App Store inundated with quick casual games, it’s a bit of a surprise that Tap-Fu mixes it up with both an instant K.O. and a prolonged side scrolling fight session. While definitely not one of the biggest games out there, Tap Fu holds its own on varied gameplay modes and combat moves that any dojo will attest to.
With a beautiful mix of 3D and 2D elements, it pays homage to its arcade forefathers Double Dragon and Karateka while maintaining a modern mix. In some regards it could be likened to Castle Crashers with an array of fast paced combat moves including what I believe the first ever gesture driven “hadouken” fireball on the iPhone. That alone justifies the purchase.
The game is comprised of four modes: Story, Survival, 100 Rounds and Training. In Story mode, you take the role of a Tap-Fu trainee on a mission to recover candy that the Sweet Tooth Clan have stolen from your village. Under the Elder Tap-Fu Master (who bears a curious resemblance to Mr. Miyagi) you learn the skills that will help you along your journey and enable you to recover the stolen candy. Survival mode is just that – survive the onslaught, and training is… well… training. In addition to the gameplay, graphics and brilliantly artistic cutscenes, the old school kung-fu music and sound effects put you in the mood of whooping ass.
Control wise, you get choice. You can either use the virtual controls (d-pad + buttons) or specific finger gestures. I chose the finger gestures as I like trying out new control methods – especially those designed to function with the iPhone.
There’s also an achievements system (not supported by any social networking service) and local and online scoreboards. I call it it a wold-wide-kumite to keep you coming back for more to perfect your skills. Overall this game is still a work in progress, with the dev team promising future updates.
Enter the dragon. 4 stars.
