Kung Fu Rider is one of three PlayStation Move titles you’ll be able to buy on launch day, or 17 September for anyone who hasn’t been counting down the days since the new controller’s debut more than a year ago. It’s by far the battiest, channelling the spirit of Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio, but is it fun to play? And how do the controls work? Find out on in our full Kung Fu Rider for PlayStation Move review.
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PlayStation Move review
PlayStation Move review: Build
PlayStation Move review: Wii beater?
Sports Champions for PlayStation Move review
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There’s no other word that better sums up Kung Fu Rider than barmy. We’re not sure what was in the water cooler at Sony’s Japan Studio when the concept was thought up, but the premise is this: you’re one of two bumbling no hopers (Tobin, who looks like Danny Wallace, and Karin, who’s basically a less scary Chun-Li who wiggles her bum very close to the screen, alot) who somehow run afoul of the mafia. With us so far? Obviously, you decide to roll down the crowded, incredibly steep streets on an office chair to make your escape, hopping barriers and obstacles, and kicking suits along the way. Still with us? See how daft it is in the video below:
We do enjoy the absurdity of it all (you make your getaway on various vehicles, from chairs to prams and trolleys) and cutesy graphics: compared to the dryness of Sports Champions, they show a creative spark in Sony we reckon it’ll need to play in the same market as Nintendo with the PlayStation Move. What pleased us most though is that despite how insane it is, the PlayStation Move controls are surprisingly well thought out.
Fire up Kung Fu Rider for PlayStation Move and you’ll be given the chain to roll through several tutorials: you’ll need them, as there are a lot of moves to learn, and just about every button on the PlayStation Move does something. You can run, boost, duck, kick, drift and sidestep while you fly down the streets. You point to turn and gesture to jump, boost or run: conveniently, you can tweak how sensitive all of the motion actions are.
All the moves in your office chair based arsenal make it fun to play through all 18 levels of Kung Fu Rider for PlayStation Move at least once, and they can prove quite tricky at times: there are rails to grind on, different routes to take, and balding henchmen with sticks trying to bump you off your wheely perch.
Sadly though, even with intelligent controls and a fun concept, the fun runs out after just a few hours, when it no longer becomes a case of unlocking new levels, but merely setting high scores, and Kung Fu Rider’s multiplayer is severely crippled. There’s no splitscreen or PlayStation Network racing to be had: if you have a second PlayStation Move controller, you can point at money. And, er, that’s it.
If you’re going to pick up a PlayStation Move regardless, Kung Fu Rider is at least worth a rent: it’s just a shame as with a bit more time, Sony could have stuffed in much more replay value.
Read the rest of our PlayStation Move review
PlayStation Move review
PlayStation Move review: Build
PlayStation Move review: Wii beater?
Sports Champions for PlayStation Move review
Start The Party! for PlayStation Move review
