SOFTWARE REVIEW

Communications Report:

K-1 World Grand Prix

Category:
Fighting

Players:
1 - 2

Type/#:
CD / 1

Graphics and Sound:

While it's not the most detailed fighter out there, K-1 World Grand Prix isn't all that hard on the eyes. The combatants are nicely detailed and resemble their real life counterparts well. There isn't much else out there to look at though. The stadiums and crowds are veiled in darkness (probably for good reason), and the ring is plain and square. This isn't all that bad though, because your attention will be focused on your opponents for most of the game.

Music doesn't play a large role in K-1, but the sound effects are crucial. When fist meets face, you know it. The hits and kicks deliver solid sounds, as does a contender falling to the floor. These effects never seem to get old, despite their lack of variety. Every time you connect a hit, you'll be glad to hear the result.

Gameplay:

K-1 World Grand Prix is a fighting venue similar to those of cage fighting, like UFC. However, this sport places fighters in a boxing ring and lets them wail on each other with gloves. It's more like boxing on steroids than anything else, with a variety of martial arts thrown in the mix.

Each fighter has their own style, whether it is Karate or Kickboxing (the 'K' in K-1 stands for karate, by the way). In the ring you'll face opponents of all styles, and you'll have to learn how to cope with each if you're going to succeed.

There are various generic game types to choose from, whether it's a simple Exhibition match, or the World Grand Prix Championship itself. Advancing through the Championship circuit will unlock various things like training modes (not really worth the effort), or a chance to take fighters' robot counterparts into the ring. This mode looks nice and is fun for a while, but it ends up being the same fight with Virtua Fighter 1-style characters.

What K-1 really lacks, though, is the ability to create your own fighter. There is some degree of customization during the Championship, where you get to train your fighter and increase or decrease their stats. You can then use them in Exhibition matches, but that's the extent of it. Mucho points would have been awarded if you could make a character from scratch, a feature that will hopefully be included in the sequel (if there ever is one).

Difficulty:

K-1 World Grand Prix has a nice difficulty range, offering plenty of gaming to those of all skill levels. It may take some people more time figuring out the mechanics of the fighting system, but all in all it's put together solidly and is relatively easy to get the hang of.

Game Mechanics:

K-1 World Grand Prix adopts a Tekken style control scheme with the left and right attack of both punches and kicks. Small combos can be formed, but don't expect any 10 hit strings of buttons. This type of fighting gets up close and personal, and usually ends up being quick and dirty.

Matches are usually 5 rounds long, and winning is accomplished by either knocking your opponent out or achieving a better score than him at the end of the match. Three judges will tally each fighter's score, and every punch or kick you throw can count for or against you.

K-1 offers some good gameplay, just not enough of it. It lacks the bells and whistles of similar titles, and also a fighting system that isn't quite as deep as games like Tekken or Virtua Fighter. However, fans of this sport will relish what is offered, but others may want to rent before they buy.