Tao Feng: Fist of
the Lotus
Developed by Studio Gigante,
Inc., published by Microsoft Game Studios, and released in March of 2003,
Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus is the new combatant game for the Xbox.
To say that the Xbox is low on fighting games is an understatement.
With only DOA3 under it's belt, the Xbox
emerges with one of the freshest combat fighting games yet.
As one of the most brutal and life-like fighting games ever created, Tao
Feng FOTL delivers heart-pounding action where blood flies, bones break,
clothes tear, and you even get to see your character AND opponent beaten
to a pulp! Boasting 12 fully interactive environments, distinctive
fighting styles created for each fighter, and the ability to either let
loose destructive "Chi" attacks and/or "heal"
themselves, Tao Feng FOTL and the Xbox have definitely raised the bar in
regards to combat fighting games.
Tao Feng takes place in Metro-China where two rival Chinese
"sects" have battled for centuries over ancient tablets that
reveal long lost treasures. Whether you choose to side with the good
(the Pale Lotus) or the evil (the Black Mantis), is entirely up to you;
however, training before deciding to take on your opponent is a
must. Practicing your moves against a computer AI opponent will help
you learn your basic moves, as well as the unique individual moves
specifically designed for your character, and how to master your
devastating "chi" attack. The best way to become a
kick-ass fighter is to learn and practice your moves in the Training mode.
Aside from the Training mode there are several different modes to play as
well. Included are the "Versus" mode for one or two
players fighting against the AI opponent or your friend as the case may
be; "Quest" mode where you play through the Tao Feng story by
choosing a "sect" and try to recover the lost treasure;
"Survival" mode where you try to stay alive as you battle AI
opponents (challenge-wise, I found this the most taxing); "Team
Battle" which is basically a two-player tag team battle against the
AI; and "Tournament" mode where you can set up with as many as
eight players that are randomly paired off to fight in head-to-head
battles.
What makes this game different isn't just the characters, the smooth
graphics, the great English voice-overs, or the inventive storyline, it's
the ability to not only use your accumulated "Chi" to either
destroy your opponent, but you can use it on yourself to heal a damaged
limb suffered by your character. Speaking of damaged limbs...another
great addition to this game is the "Limb Damage Indicator"
bar. In addition to losing health, your character (and your
opponent) can also suffer "limb damage" which in turn limits
your mobility and also reduces the amount of damage you can inflict on
others as well. Whether it be a wounded arm, torn clothing,
bruises, or cuts, visually being able to see your character's damage is a
real plus in this game!
Graphically this game is impressive. Developed specifically for the
Xbox, the developers took full advantage of it's performance
capabilities. The attention to detail in regards to the characters
is extremely life-like and the 12 expansive fully interactive fighting
environments remarkable. Slamming opponents into destructible
objects and watching the glass fly is definitely a part of the game I
enjoyed most.
Unlike DOA3, Tao Feng doesn't rely heavily on who can press the buttons
the fastest...oh, no. A "thinker's" game, Tao Feng DOES
rely heavily on "combos"...this is where your training comes in
handy more than once. Your opponent could be on the ground one
minute and before you know it, delivering a devastating blow to you the
next. Unless you've mastered your combination attacks this part of
the game could prove quite difficult and frustrating to say the least.
Overall, the attacks in Tao Feng FOTL are defined by height, range, speed,
and strength. For example, kicks have a longer range than punches
but punches are quicker. Attack parameters are also determined by
your character's physical traits. Some characters are definitely
taller than others, while some are faster and others stronger, so
adjusting your fighting style based on how your character fights against a
particular opponent is required.
So...if you're looking for just another average "rock 'em, sock 'em"
fighting game, you've come to the wrong place! Tao Feng will give
you a run for your money and then some, so stay alert, learn your moves,
and above all...beat 'em till they bleed!
Overall Game Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Official
Xbox Website:
http://www.xbox.com
Where
to find XBox Cheats:
http://www.xboxcheats.com
