Rag Doll Kung Fu Available Now

[Evil Avatar]

Valve sends along word that the Steam-powered mini-game, Rag Doll Kung Fu, is now available to purchase via Steam for $14.95.

Rag Doll Kung Fu, a wildly entertaining new game from game designer Mark Healey, is available now via Steam for just $14.95.

Featuring a wide collection of single and multiplayer games plus outlandish cut scenes inspired by classic Kung Fu cinema, Rag Doll Kung Fu provides one of the most creative and unique game experiences delivered in years.

The game is the brainchild of artist and designer Mark Healey (who moonlights as a lead artist at Lionhead Entertainment). During last year's Game Developer Conference, Healey presented Rag Doll to industry colleagues. Immediately after this presentation, several Valve employees invited Healey to visit Valve and discuss Steam distribution of Rag Doll Kung Fu.

For more information on Rag Doll Kung Fu, please visit http://www.ragdollkungfu.com (http://www.ragdollkungfu.com/).

Steam offers developers and publishers a direct distribution channel to over 5.5 million customers. For more information on Steam, please visit http://www.steampowered.com (http://www.steampowered.com/)

[Orphiuchus]

I am not impressed.

Its just not... fun

[Triprotic]

played it for 10 min, and it seems like hard work.... i'll give it another go tomorrow.

[Thumper]

Well I was thinking about getting this...

nuts.

[TheKeck]

Any other impressions? Does anyone like this?

[reimomo]

www.steampowered.com link isn't complete in the original post.

edit: Haven't heard good things from those who've played this... which is a shame.

[Captain Awesome]

I pre-ordered this and its fun when you gett he hang of the controls. Its nothing like what most people have tried. Then again people think that when games are too hard, they quit them.

Its very rhythmic, playing online is the better part of it. Its hilarious seeing a screen full of 4 players going at it. I dont know about the rest, but I love it. Everyone I know who purchased it really likes it. I like just how nice it looks and how different it moves.

Maybe down the road they can release a demo for this, because word of mouth is a hardsell to most of the jaded and childish Valve community.

[bapenguin]

Wish they had a demo....

[GoblinToe]

Wow, this game should be called Ragdoll Carpal Tunnel-Fu.

Keep making those circles, baby. Constantly, don't stop! Ever!

A big fat pass on this one.

Plus, there is no game. I was moving through the training missions on a friends comp and then realized after a few missions that I was actually playing the game. After about 20 of those "training" missions the game is over.

I think this title falls into a Love or Hate category. At least it's different, but there's no way I was impressed enough to plunk down cash.

Do youself a favor and take your $20 and buy Mount and Blade. There's a game worth $20, and it doesn't even cost that much! Plus you get to avoid Steam.

[Jacob Singer]

I can't ever get my little guy to do the same thing twice in a row. Sometimes he walks just fine, then suddenly he's flying across the screen. Sometimes he punches, sometimes he just sits there. The tutorial/training is too rushed, too vague, and TIMED to boot.

I'll keep at it, but I'm regretting spending the twelve bucks already.

[Zurik]

$14.95? I could almost get my own ship for that!

[KarmaGhost]

I pre-ordered this and its fun when you gett he hang of the controls. Its nothing like what most people have tried. Then again people think that when games are too hard, they quit them.Actually studies have shown that the American and European gaming communities perfer more difficult games, while Japanese tend to prefer less difficult ones.

Where's that demo that was supposed to be released simultaneously? I'm glad I didn't give into those "cheap bastard" comments.

[thecrazyd]

Don't you bad mouth the effectiveness of the "cheap bastard" comment.

[Kelegacy]

Wish they had a demo....

That would be a great idea. Problem is, if there was a demo many people wouldnt buy the game. It IS harder than your average fighter. It can be frustrating, clicking on appendages and moving them. Interesting game, but I wasn't astounded at first play. That usually says a lot...if I like a game from the onset. It didn't grow much on me either, though the battles do get more interesting, and you can pick up and use weapons. Quirky game, worth 15 bucks for some people...but I'd highly recommend trying out a demo (if there was one) to see if it's your style of game.

[TheKeck]

$14.95? I could almost get my own ship for that!

Yeah, but who are you gonna get to fly it, kid?

[TheKeck]

I'm glad I didn't give into those "cheap bastard" comments.

Now don't start THAT again........ it's MY job. :p

[EvilBob46]

Actually studies have shown that the American and European gaming communities perfer more difficult games, while Japanese tend to prefer less difficult ones.

Western gamers prefer difficult games? That's pretty vague. Does that mean difficult in terms of puzzles or in terms of the action elements?

IMO, it's quite obvious Japanese gamers are not twitch games like most Americans. A recent example: The Normal difficulty mode in Resident Evil 4 (US) is actually the Hard mode in the Japanese version. Then again, Japanese games tend to have more puzzles than American ones. I remember how Nintendo in the N64 days used to have issues with Western developers not having enough puzzles, because that's what they wanted for the Japanese market. That's what happened with the game DMA Design (now Rockstar North of GTA fame) wanted to make (but never released) for the N64. EDIT: The games Body Harvest by the way. And it did eventually come out for the N64.

[feeble]

There are two ways to play this game.

first way is to swing wildly and just hope you hit something.

and the 2nd way is to actually use what they give you, such as blocking and mushrooms.

alot of fun but boring at the same time.

good story line, hilarious in its own right.

its worth a try atleast, but definently a love or hate game

[Kelegacy]

Actually studies have shown that the American and European gaming communities perfer more difficult games, while Japanese tend to prefer less difficult ones.


I think it's the other way around. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, which I'm playing now (and is a fucking sweet RPG) was a horribly tough game in Japan. In the US, you can choose 2 difficulties from the start: Normal or Hard. The hard mode in the U.S. is actually the Normal mode in Japan. The game is still pretty damned difficult, but it was harder for the Japanese.

Perigon, pick up this game if you are sick of easy JRPGs. The dark storylines of the SMT series make me hungry for more.

[Weaverboy]

I actually feel a little sorry for Mark Healy. Rag Doll Kung Fu seems to have been over-hyped to the point of being put up as a shining example of indie game development and how it can match it with the entrenched development companies with the aid of a new distribution platform (a la Steam). The problem is that I just don't think a game like this has broad-enough appeal to be exemplified like that. After buying it and playing it for an hour, it's certainly not for me. I fear it may not be for a lot of other people, either. It seems more fun to watch people play it, than to actually play it yourself.

[Draft]

I think it's the other way around. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, which I'm playing now (and is a fucking sweet RPG) was a horribly tough game in Japan. In the US, you can choose 2 difficulties from the start: Normal or Hard. The hard mode in the U.S. is actually the Normal mode in Japan. The game is still pretty damned difficult, but it was harder for the Japanese.

Perigon, pick up this game if you are sick of easy JRPGs. The dark storylines of the SMT series make me hungry for more.No, KarmaGhost is right. On the average, American games are more difficult. Especially action games, shooting games, anything that relies more on reflex. RPGs may be the exception, because the Japanese are so obsessed with them. Let's face facts: no RPG is really "hard." Any encounter can be breezed by spending a few hours walking in circles and leveling up. This is something the Japanese don't mind doing, who knows, maybe they even prefer it.

edit: some off the top of my head-

Viewtiful Joe. Japanese version lacks the very hard and V-rated mode. Default difficulty is our Kids, and hard is our Normal.

MGS. Again, lacks hard mode.

DMC. Once again, lacks hard mode.

Resident Evil 4. What do you think it lacks?

So who knows, maybe it's a cultural thing. Americans don't seem to mind repetition if it involves conquering a real challenge. Japanese don't mind repetitive behavior, as long as it's disguised as progress. Or maybe I'm just full of shit.

edit the second: Thought Rag Doll Kung Fu looked like a tech demo when I first saw it, and it seems like that's what it is. Let this be an important lesson to would be indie developers! An innovative control or gameplay mechanic is not necessarily a good one. Press A to jump may be trite, but you can't deny that it works.

[DeadPixel]

How depressing :(

[Sazime]

Well, now I know not to buy this, at least not until a few more reviewers get a hold of it and can give some good opinions on it. It didn't interest me in the video, it interests me less now.

[omnithrope]

Right now I'm firmly in the "meh" category, and it makes me sad.

* The graphics are fantastic. The colors are just beautiful, and the "animations" are really fun.

* The single-player game takes very little to complete.

* Multi-player battles seem like a lot of jumping and "button mashing", so far. (Perhaps it's because i have no skill.) Things move so fast, that I'm not sure how you can even think about hitting with a foot over a hand, or blocking. You just try to hit as fast as possible.

* Very few multiplayer servers. There only seems to be about 90, and most (95%) are full all the time.

I hope that, once I get better, these things change. I really want to like this game... and I think it has a lot of potential.

Please don't take this as bashing... I really do think it's a great effort. I think I'M just lacking the skill to see it's true potential.

We'll see as time goes on.

(Addendum: I DO think it's worth the price, however. It's certainly much better than, say, B&W2 was for over twice the price.)

[Nintendo Revolution]

I think this game is a real POS that will probably make a lot of money because they allowed purchase in Steam. Seriously, am I the only one who thinks this game brings down the actual reputable software on Steam. GOTY HL2, CS: Source, Day of Defeat: Source...Ragdoll Kung Fu. This is disgusting, it really is. It's almost as painful as playing Codename: Gordan, except, C:G was actually relevant.

[omnithrope]

I think this game is a real POS that will probably make a lot of money because they allowed purchase in Steam. Seriously, am I the only one who thinks this game brings down the actual reputable software on Steam. GOTY HL2, CS: Source, Day of Defeat: Source...Ragdoll Kung Fu. This is disgusting, it really is. It's almost as painful as playing Codename: Gordan, except, C:G was actually relevant.

I disagree completely.

Regardless of what you think about the gameplay, the game is very well put together and is very professional. It's a great piece of work, at least visually and aurally.

I think you're being too hard on the game.

I'm not sure how this is disreputable in the slightest.

[Montgomery_Python]

My Japanese roommate in college could play dr. mario on the hardest setting, and most initial bacteria.

It was absolutely mindblowing to watch. I couldn't even keep up with my eyes what he was doing as he played. Given, I am a big, slow white guy.

Don't tell me those buggers haven't got game. They does.

EDIT could and couldn't mean different things

[UnderHero5]

Wow, I came home from work and loaded up the game (preordered it a week ago) played it for an hour or so (had a blast). Stopped playing to give my friend an initial impression.

I then come on here to see almost nothing good said about the game?
Weird.

Well, I for one thing it's great. I've been waiting for the game for at least a year and a half, and it lives up to the expectations I had for it.
I don't know what you people were expecting. It was going to be FREE... did you expect some epic revolutionary game?

I think it's fun, and the graphics are completely awesome. It's fun to me, that's all that matters. I haven't even played online yet.

I can't wait to start making skins for it now that it's out : )

I agree, it's probably a love it or hate it game... but where are all the people who love it? All I've seen is negativity so far.

*shurg* oh well. That just means the community won't be full of people complaining all the time, if they play it once and leave.

[j00s]

On the average, American games are more difficult. Especially action games, shooting games, anything that relies more on reflex.

Good Lord, man, listen to yourself! Have you ever played a shooter before? Ever? R-type, Gradius, Ikaruga, etc., etc.?

Also, where do you think rhythm games came from? If those don't rely on reflex, I don't know what does.

[Chagrinful]

LOL@Steam fanbois, you got pwned.

The game is pretty lame, its novel but the novelty wears off quickly, the "difficulty" argument doesn't hold much water, its not difficult its just retarded and shitty.

[Lint of Death]

Just going to add my two cents here and say that I have played for a few hours and, while I can certainly understand fears about carpal tunnel sydrome, I have found the game to be very fun. Presently I only have any skill in the deathmatch mode, which is my favorite. It's possible to have up to 8 people in one server but, in my opinion, more than three or four tends to be too many.

I hope to learn to incorporate more defensive moves in my style. My first-ever opponent, who I played many games against, chose a primarily defensive style and I felt the need to counter with an offensive one, meaning my own defensive capabilities need some work.

I love it! The game looks so three-dimensional at times. The art is really well done and has its own style. While it's hard to chat in-game about the little things that happen, many minor events can occur during combat. Perhaps I managed to headbutt someone in midair or someone blocked six attacks in a row.

[Neosho]

I like this game.

It's got something new. Sure, the controls are a bit interesting at first, but unlock all of the minigames, fuck around with them for a bit, and then when you come back you have a much more intutive grasp on how things work. Sure, you can button mash all you want, but a good player will just dodge or block a bit and then you're fucked when you're out of attack pips, or whatever the hell those things are.

Basically, once you get past the "MUST>>>USE>>>WASD" complex, it's quite fun to play, fun to watch, and all around a good time with your friends.


Edit: I'm also noticing a startling correlation between the reactions to the new Revolution controller and this new control type. As someone who says things that people remember once said, "First things are ignored, then ridiculed, then accepted as given". That seems to be the same here.

[kid cabelgo]

Just going to add my two cents here and say that I have played for a few hours and, while I can certainly understand fears about carpal tunnel sydrome, I have found the game to be very fun. Presently I only have any skill in the deathmatch mode, which is my favorite. It's possible to have up to 8 people in one server but, in my opinion, more than three or four tends to be too many.

I hope to learn to incorporate more defensive moves in my style. My first-ever opponent, who I played many games against, chose a primarily defensive style and I felt the need to counter with an offensive one, meaning my own defensive capabilities need some work.

I love it! The game looks so three-dimensional at times. The art is really well done and has its own style. While it's hard to chat in-game about the little things that happen, many minor events can occur during combat. Perhaps I managed to headbutt someone in midair or someone blocked six attacks in a row.

Glad to see someone else is enjoying it.

I've been playing for a few hours myself, and I have to agree. The game really is a LOT of fun, but only once you get used to moving your character around. Once you understand exactly how your mouse movements will affect your character and you gain more control, it becomes a total blast.

For anybody wondering about this game, don't let all the naysayers turn you off. Just splurge and buy the thing. Spend a few hours playing around. I really think a lot of people could really like it.

[RepoMan]

Steam told me my credit card was first declined and then overused. Wouldn't let me purchase at all. WTF? Looks like other people had no problem? Sigh... fuck Steam!

[Dirty Harry]

Steam told me my credit card was first declined and then overused. Wouldn't let me purchase at all. WTF? Looks like other people had no problem? Sigh... fuck Steam!
send a steam ticket.

[jeffool]

Wow, I came home from work and loaded up the game (preordered it a week ago) played it for an hour or so (had a blast). Stopped playing to give my friend an initial impression.

I then come on here to see almost nothing good said about the game?
Weird.

Well, I for one thing it's great. I've been waiting for the game for at least a year and a half, and it lives up to the expectations I had for it.
I don't know what you people were expecting. It was going to be FREE... did you expect some epic revolutionary game?I'm totally with UnderHero5 here. I enjoyed it, especially considering it only cost me $13. But despite the rumor, it was never intended to be free (as you can see in this excellent interview (http://jeffool.blogspot.com/2005/08/rag-doll-kung-fu-interview.html). ;) )

I'm just wishing it were possible to use multiple mice to control one guy.

[thecrazyd]

I can dig it.

[Triprotic]

well, went to have a quick go on it this morning, but it's now dissapeared from my games list compleatly (although the cache files are still on my hard drive), and it's saying I have purchase it again!!!

After a bit of investigating, i'm going to do a lot of bitching! >:(

[RandomViolence]

Lovely game. I had a blast flying through the single player. I'll admit I played frenetically, but there does seem to be a fair bit of depth here. The mild physics, graphical finesse, and ease of control combine for a nice package. I can't wait to try the online for a bit tomorrow.

[Beelzebud]

Remember when mods used to be free?

[Varsity]

No demo, no sale...

[jeffool]

Remember when mods used to be free?Yeah. And most still are. What's that have to do with Rag Doll Kung Fu?No demo, no sale...On the way, actually.

[UnderHero5]

Remember when mods used to be free?

Mods are and, unless the rules change, always will be free. It's illegal to charge money for a mod.

That said, Rag Doll Kung Fu isn't a mod. It was built from the ground up. Steam isn't just for Valve games, you know.

[omnithrope]

Remember when mods used to be free?

Boy, I bet you sure feel silly.

[H.Bogard]

LOL@Steam fanbois, you got pwned.

The game is pretty lame, its novel but the novelty wears off quickly, the "difficulty" argument doesn't hold much water, its not difficult its just retarded and shitty.

Wow! you are a really smart kid :rolleyes:

[Zawath]

It's a great game, play some multiplayer before saying it sucks. Deathmatch is super fun because of the different types of weapons and skins. Soccer is also a blast if you got a team that knows what they are doing. I hope the athletic games will be available in multiplayer soon.

[Vandenh]

>Wow, this game should be called Ragdoll Carpal Tunnel-Fu.

>Keep making those circles, baby. Constantly, don't stop! Ever!

Hmmm.... would this work better on a DS? (there are rumors of port ideas).

And GoblinToe??? Is that like a Camel t.. errrr.. never mind.

[CapnAJ]

I really like the game, but each to their own if you played it and don't like it then fair enough. But for £7.00 it's a pretty good deal, lots of fun for very little cash, I've manged to find more to do in this game than I have for most games that sell for £30.00!

[RandomViolence]

Huh? Mod? This is a coded from scratch game.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

I'm having billing issues same as everyone else.
Preordered and purchased it a week ago like many others, played it this morning when it unscrambled itself, then got home late this evening to find it missing from my games list and a steam error message telling me my card was denied and I now need to pay the full price again.
Wth?

[reimomo]

I feel beelzebud is making a prediction about what other content could be steamed in the near/far future....

Remember when mods used to be free?
Remember when a quality mod used to take 4 people 6 months to complete? Remember when the community didn't require amature mods to have professional art?

The mod community is going to die when every different take on a game is going to require photo-realistic textures/models/rigging.

Not to mention the fact that maybe the guys who made Desert Combat for BF1942 really did deserve something for making a mod that was more popular than the initial game. Something more than working on BF2 as "new" developers and then getting shitcanned before the release party. wtf would you be pissed about paying 5 bucks (or even 13.99) for a mod that was as quality as DC was in its day?

[Worldcrafter]

I'm having billing issues same as everyone else.
Preordered and purchased it a week ago like many others, played it this morning when it unscrambled itself, then got home late this evening to find it missing from my games list and a steam error message telling me my card was denied and I now need to pay the full price again.
Wth?

Yeah, I got that same error. I managed to play it for a bit first, but this morning I got an email from Steam saying my credit card was declined. I have tons of money on it, so that's certainly not the problem. I did need to update my address, so maybe it's not Steam's fault? I updated my address and plan on trying again.

[TheKeck]

Remember when mods used to be free?

Did anybody think that this might be blatant trolling? (And quite effective apparently.)

[dr_wily]

may i ask why ragdoll has had so many newsposts? Is it like a sponsor for EA or something? Am I the only one that has noticed?

There are alot of other nifty 10-20$ games, and even free games out there that dont get a single post.

[RandomViolence]

This one has had quite a buzz since its' initial announcement, due to the wacky premise and somewhat innovative control scheme. It's also the first non-Valve game to be released on Steam, so I think that's why it's been talked about so much.

[jeffool]

By all means, dr_wily. If you know some more good games, share them.

[Beelzebud]

Did anybody think that this might be blatant trolling? (And quite effective apparently.)

It was more effective than I had predicted. :D

[Draft]

No demo, no sale...I'm actually really surprised you didn't preorder it.

[Orphiuchus]

I took some advice earlier in this thread and went and bought Mount & Blade instead. Damned fine game.

[H.Bogard]

I just played through the game, i beat more than half the levels, nap time! i closed and came back after a few hours...started steam, launched the game.........poof! no save games? it just starts me from the fucking training level!!! this sucks!!

game was good while it lasted :(

[Mighty Jesus]

This game is ridiculously fun. The control scheme takes a little getting used to, but once you have it down, it's totally intuitive. Lovely graphics, too.

Easily the best indie-type game I've played. Ignore the bitching, and buy it now.

...

And that single-player mode is really nothing but training levels. And low-brow british comedy. The real fun is in multiplayer. Which is fucking super crazy nuts awesome.