Rag doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic has now hit the PS3 and it certainly brings something different to a console already packed with games that stand out from the crowd. 

 

It is probably well known by now that Rag Doll Kung Fu comes from the brains of LittleBigPlanet’s Creative Director Mark Healy, however anyone who had no idea of his influence in these two games will soon discover the link the minute they pick up the controller. The physics of the characters in the game are very similar to those of LittleBigPlanet, whether you are hanging from ledges, flinging yourself around or just jumping from one platform to the next, the similarities are so obvious and therefore anyone who loves LittleBigPlanet should feel right at home.

 

 

So what of the game itself? Well to be honest there isn’t really a great deal to it. The game consists of eight stages, such as King of the Hill, where you have to stand on the top platform while keeping the enemy away, Capture the Fish, where you have to throw a fish into a bucket while fighting off the enemy and others such Sharpshooter, where you have to shuriken as many targets within the set time. All of these stages do try to bring something different to the table and to a certain extent they succeed. Once unlocked all eight stages can be played with up to four players however this option is only available locally therefore you cannot play online, which seems like an odd exclusion for the game developer to make. Perhaps we will see an online multiplayer option in the near future.

 

The gameplay itself is great, there are certainly plenty of moves to learn, allowing you to use your special chi powers to throw lighting bolts or slam into your enemies with devastating effect. The game also makes use of the Sixaxis, therefore you will be shaking your controller to pull off moves and also turning it upside down to meditate and heal yourself.

 

Just like LittleBigPlanet the games graphics look fantastic, the characters and backgrounds and well detailed and the action runs really smooth without any problems. The sound is also fantastic, with the Kung-Fu style soundtrack fitting in with the action perfectly.

 

 

Rag Doll Kung Fu does have a few moments which should make you smile, such as during King of the Hill when you pull poses using the L2 button to infuriate your opponents and to show off, this is great fun. Of course the most fun you will have in the game is when playing with your friends, this can be quite chaotic at times however, just like LittleBigPlanet it’s so much fun slapping your friends about when they least expect it. The problem with the game is that when you are not playing with friends you will soon get bored, sure the eight stages will keep you busy the first few times as will unlocking the trophies, but with no online mode or leaderboards there is no real motivation for you to go back once you have exhausted these avenues.

 

Overall Rag Doll Kung Fu is a really fun game to play, the problem is that it is the type of game you should be playing online and with that option missing there isn’t really much that will keep you coming back.