Karate Survivor

New horde survivors experience with a martial arts twist

If you're a Survivors-like fan, you're going to get a kick out of Karate Survivor — no pun intended. This melee take on the roguelike sub-genre is a great deal of fun thanks to its wealth of moves and focus on environmental damage. It's hard as nails, though, so prepare to die a lot. Still, that's sort of the point, isn't it?

Purely operating on a bang-for-buck ratio, Karate Survivor figuratively karate punches far above its weight, that much is for sure. For around five bucks, you're getting a modestly made, though ultimately enjoyable take on the increasingly worn Survivors-like formula that satisfies with its bone-crunching action that riffs on the trashy martial arts cinema of the 1980s and 1990s. Just don't expect to be so reliably entertained in the longer term, as Karate Survivor's staying power leaves something to be desired.

My discovery of Karate Survivor began with a simple demo, only to be followed by enormous enjoyment of the final version. Available at a low price, the title manages to stand out considerably from other games in the genre. Fans of these experiences can enjoy complete immersion in the action films of the 80s. While there may be a few frustrations regarding the accuracy of our shots, the developers are already making regular corrections at the time of writing. Rather short for regular players, the experience remains more than fun and should appeal to a good number of gamers.

Karate Survivor is a refreshing addition to the growing survival genre, bringing nostalgic elements and unique mechanics that create a unique and fun experience. The setting inspired by fighting movies from the 80s and 90s, combined with strategic and challenging gameplay, gives the game a special charm. The game stands out for its own characteristics, managing to capture the essence of survival roguelites without losing its identity. Despite some points that may not be generally pleasing, it is a sure choice for those looking for action and nostalgia in a well-executed package.

Karate Survivor is a love letter to ‘80s action movies, with teeth-collecting upgrades, retro graphics, and an improvised combat system that’ll keep you entertained despite some early pacing issues. The single playable character and a somewhat clunky attack timer do nonetheless leave room for improvement. That being said, the game’s creativity, humour, and attention to retro detail make it an enjoyable and unique brawler. Grab your best toy hammer, watch for the boss designs, and dive into a street fight that’s as nostalgic as it is exhilarating. I give Karate Survivor the Thumb Culture Silver Award