In a world where high school drama meets karate expertise, 'Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues' finally answers the question: how badly can we ruin a classic yet again? This game is brought to you by Flux Games and is less like a classic martial arts masterpiece and more like your friend Kyle trying to show off his martial arts moves at a party—awkward yet somehow endearing.
The game features a solid side-scrolling beat 'em up style reminiscent of those good ol' arcade days when the air was thick with energy drinks and the smell of pizza. You'll get to choose between characters from both Cobra Kai and Miyagi-do, ensuring that whatever side you choose, someone's ego is going to be bruised. "Show No Mercy" isn’t just a motto; it’s basically the gameplay philosophy. You'll traverse through locations from the Cobra Kai universe, smashing and kicking your way through waves of enemies like you're at a homecoming dance gone wrong. You can also switch between characters mid-fight, which is beneficial because some are clearly better at dealing with adversaries than others. Skills and moves are upgradeable, but worry not; this isn't like upgrading your phone for the latest features—no, it’s more like trying to figure out how to not embarrass yourself in front of your crush. Boss fights are where the game truly shines—or at least flickers dimly like a dying light bulb. Against opponents like Sam or Johnny, there's a rhythm to the battle, akin to a choreographed dance-fighting session, if you can call dodging their attacks and launching counterattacks graceful. Each character also has unique abilities, so mixing things up is part of the strategy. Don’t forget to use environmental hazards—you can’t spell 'environment' without 'vengeance.'
Graphically, the game is about as impressive as your average YouTube video featuring a cat. The art style is unique, attempting to capture that 'comic book vibe' but landing somewhere in between 'cool' and 'what were they thinking?' Character models look decent enough that you can tell who is who—most of the time. Cinematic scenes pop up now and then, serving as a reminder that yes, you are indeed in a video game and not just awkwardly navigating the hallways of a high school during lunch. The backgrounds involve a mix of iconic settings from the show and a generous helping of nostalgia. However, you'll find that amidst the chaos of karate and adolescent drama, the visual fidelity leaves you wanting more—like that last slice of pizza when you’re already too full. But hey, it’s not terrible; it’s serviceable, much like your local diner's buffet.
'Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues' presents itself as an earnest tribute to both a beloved franchise and the somewhat chaotic high school melodrama that comes with it. It has a fun, albeit cliché, story that even your middle school crush couldn't roll their eyes at. Each character interaction feels like a soap opera you can’t help but tune into. Overall, it’s a wild ride that will surely entertain fans of the franchise—unless you're the type who can’t stand karate-themed puns. But for the rest of us, the game is a nostalgic stroll down memory lane, albeit one fraught with side quests that make you question your life choices. Should you buy it? If you ever wanted to reenact all those tense scenes from the show while dodging bad puns and poorly rendered fighting moves, definitely check it out—preferably on sale. Cobra Kai is here to stay, and if you’ve got nothing else to play, it might just be worth your time. Just don’t expect a black belt in gaming from it.