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Following the success of their initial release, Redeemer, Sobaka Studio conceived the idea of creating a classic beat'em up game inspired by timeless works like TMNT: Turtles in Time and Double Dragon. However, they infused it with the style reminiscent of action-packed Kung Fu films from the late '70s.
Throughout the last 30 years since the 16-bit era, the beat'em up genre has flourished. Today, games like Final Fight and Golden Axe owe their success to masterpieces such as the Batman: Arkham series and God of War. Developers, like many gamers, fondly recall the classic silly games that delivered powerful punches.
Certainly, similar games continue to be released, but they often lack something, be it outdated gameplay mechanics or graphics, or an atmosphere different from the past... And Sobaka Studio has crafted a classic game honoring iconic works while embracing modern solutions, known as 9 Monkeys of Shaolin.
1. Visual Style
After completing Redeemer, Sobaka Studio aimed to shed realistic graphics and create something unconventional and emotionally rich. Undoubtedly risky, as the stylized graphics could alienate a significant player base, but they courageously implemented this creative idea, ultimately enhancing the immersive experience.
Drawing inspiration from American comics, 9 Monkeys of Shaolin captures the essence of titles like Teenage Ninja Turtles, Comix Zone, and even Streets of Rage, evoking the superhero cartoon vibes. Bold ink-like shadow effects, sharp outlines, high contrast, and vibrant colors perfectly complement the dynamic and robust nature of these games. This style is seamlessly integrated into 9 Monkeys of Shaolin.
The narrative and ambiance of 9 Monkeys of Shaolin mirror the films of the '70s and '80s, such as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, and The Shaolin Temple. In terms of visual style, the game draws inspiration from more modern films like Hero and House of Flying Daggers.
Latest 9 Monkeys of Shaolin Download Link:
2. Animation
9 Monkeys of Shaolin virtually abandons motion capture technology – every punch, kick, and various martial arts moves of the character ensemble are manually crafted. The developers emphasize prioritizing gameplay, occasionally sacrificing a bit of precision and sometimes the overall feel for the sake of creating an engaging gaming experience.
Trainer Video:
Even the basic stances of the heroes with their ancient tridents don't align with real combat scenarios. However, it's easily understandable and deployable in the game. This is also one of the reasons why Sobaka Studio opted not to use motion capture technology: sometimes it's not just about realism but the captivating and clear effects of what's happening on the screen.
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