Karateka
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
_________________________

Description 

In 1984 the today well-known Jordan Mechner wrote the karate game Karateka, which became a success due to its realistic fighting animations and was therefore converted for numerous home computer  systems and consoles. In 1985 the C64 version was published. The game title Karateka stems from the Japanese language and describes a fighter (Japanese: Budōka) who carries out the Japanese martial art karate - so short karate fighter. The game has a simple build-up: You walk from left to right and fight. When you do not play, a demo is shown. A small disadvantage is the permanant reloading of parts of the game. 

The course of the game can be explained in a simplified way as follows: After an introductory sequence and a start animation you get as lonely, well-trained Karateka onto the island which is ruled by the evil warlord Akuma to free the princess Mariko who is locked in the deep, dark dungeon of the palace. 

This is in such fighting games or action adventure of course combined with some perils and obstacles, especially a rather high number of differently trained karate fighters of the warlord Akuma stand in your way. Towards the end of the game you also face Akuma and his fighting eagle. Finally, when all enemies are defeated, there is a nicely animated final sequence and a final text. Seen this way, "Karateka" - as also the follower "Prince of Persia" - is an interactive story with a given plot. 

A well-practiced player can play the game to the end within 20 minutes. 

Here the introduction story:
 "You've just scaled a treacherous cliff to reach the fortress of Akuma, the evil warlord who burned your village and kidnapped your bride-to-be.
Now you stand before a massive gate. The first of many powerful Palace Guards blocks your way.
Beyond looms Akuma's Palace, where Princess Mariko languishes.
Only you can save her from Akuma's cruel clutches.
Remain calm, and focus your will on your goal.
That is the way of the Karateka." 

 Design 

Simply kept but adequate looking Japanese background and palast graphics where the fights take place. The screen switches horizontally from left to right or correspondingly backwards. This is also the only moving direction through the game, from the beach to the dungeon - always walk to the right and fight. The fighting movements are a bit slow due to the realisticly animated fighting movements. The characters are a bit grainy. 

For a short rest between the fights, there are musically accompanied, animated intermediate sequences every now and then. During the fights you can only hear fighting noises and no permanent background music. Before and after the fights there is a short, suspenseful music seuqence. 

 Hints 

 The Karateka has a certain number of power points. If the hero has lost all his (red) power points (lower left) the game is over. 
 The power points regenerate automatically if you do not fight or are not attacked. 

Keys: 

RUN/STOP : pause on / off 
J : activate joystick port#2 
K : activate keyboard 
F1 : restart / back to title screen 
in fighting mode
Q : punch high 
A : punch middle 
Z : punch low 
W : kick high 
S : kick middle 
X : kick low 
> : walk forward (to the right) 
< : walk backward (to the left) 
Space : switch between fighting mode / walking mode 
in walking mode 
> : walk forward (to the right) 
< : stop 
B : bow 

 Solution 

 Different doors have to be kicked in. 
 Although there is no time limit in the game, the enemies need to be fought fast, as they also regenerate (blue power points at the lower right).

---

Description from the packaging:

Suspenseful, movie-like story.
Smoothly animated characters.
Scrolling backgrounds.
Realistic karate fighting.

Returning home after years of study under a Master of Karate, you find your village burned to the ground. Your friends and family are scattered, your bride-to-be stolen by Akuma, the warlord whose oppressive shadow has darkened your village since before you were born.
Your grief and rage turn to cold determination. You vow never again to submit to the evil warlord. You know you must avenge your village and rescue your beloved Princess Mariko from Akuma's mountain fortress.

Alone, armed only with your knowledge of Karate, you must outfight Akuma's vicious warriors, each one more powerful than the last. Fight on, deep into the heart of the palace, where to rescue Mariko you must confront the cruel Akuma himself in hand-to-hand combat.
Put fear and self-concern behind you. Focus your will on your objective, accepting death as a possibility, and do what you have chosen to do. This is the Way of the Karateka.
By Jordan Mechner.


http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/Karateka
