Review by: Michael Rack
Published: April 16, 2003

Action brawler games tend to be simple enough to allow players of various genre inclinations to compete, but complex enough to stay fresh. The Xbox hasn’t significantly explored this area, though the recent release of Kung Fu Chaos aspires to give a wide variety of console enthusiasts just such an experience in a campy Kung-Fu movie setting.

Though such games often concentrate on multiplayer aspects, an accompanying solo adventure is not uncommon. With this in mind, Kung Fu Chaos offers a robust story mode consisting of a series of fighting sequences and mini-games. Here you take on the role of a martial arts actor working for a comically arrogant director named Shao Ting, who will give you some advice before the cameras start rolling as to what you’ll be trying to do. You can pick which scene of his movie you want to shoot, but you need to unlock them by performing admirably on the preceding event. Fortunately, film is in abundant supply, so you can perform as many takes as you like, though each try limits you to five lives before Shao Ting yells, “Cut!” At the end of each scene, your performance is judged, and the director praises or scolds you accordingly, though his words more often take the form of comic relief than constructive criticism.

Kung Fu Chaos has a cast of nine playable actors, some of which must be unlocked. In fitting with the light tone of this title, the actors appear as unrealistic caricatures with oversized heads and dramatic features. A wide range of kung-fu archetypes are represented, such as the stout samurai, a stealthy ninja, and a venerable kung fu master. There are also more comical options, such as the bo wielding Monkey and the spunky roller-skating girl Candy. The movie’s storyline is also the same for each character, though they do have seperate ending sequences unrelated to Shao Ting’s movie. You won’t have to beat the entire game nine times to get the whole story though, as you only need to use each character in the final scene to get their endings once you unlock it.

You’ll battle through a few different environments, including a tropical jungle, skyscraper rooftops, and on a large cruiseliner reminiscent of the Titanic. Throughout the set you’ll have to watch out for collapsing platforms, falling objects, and traps the director has incorporated to give his film some dramatic flair. Fortunately, Shao Ting will bark orders at you to keep you out of danger. If you can’t keep up with the cameras, you may be penalized by losing a life, so it’s important to stay in view. The set also offers opportunities to improvise, as you can hurl props at your fellow actors. Of course, Shao Ting didn’t spring for break-away items, so you need to watch out for others attempting to make a name for themselves by knocking you out of the spotlight.