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One game that appears to be bringing a lot of action and nostalgia to the streets is Alawar's upcoming Karate Survivor. This 1980s-inspired, melee-focused rogue-lite, which is scheduled to launch on October 30th, promises to put your martial arts prowess to the test with its fast-paced combat and generous helping of environmental destruction.
As someone who grew up watching Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee martial arts films, I must say that the concept of using plastic flamingos and mop handles to fend off enemies seems like a tribute to all of those extravagant action sequences I once adored. A game that maintains a sense of challenge without taking itself too seriously has a certain charm in my eyes.
Although there is a lot of punching and kicking in Karate Survivor, you are also encouraged to use your environment creatively. You can use a microwave door to slam a bad guy, collapse scaffolding, or even push objects at enemies. To succeed, you must improvise and use whatever is available. I can already see how exciting and chaotic it could get, especially when you're in a city street with an 80s vibe and a horde of enemies looming over you.
The dynamic combo system, which offers hundreds of different moves to try, is one of the best features here. What really appeals to me is the prospect of figuring out my own fighting style and creating original six-hit combos. Karate Survivor seems to strongly promote experimenting with mechanics rather than relying on a predetermined set of skills, which is something I really enjoy in video games. Time to perfect my crane kick!
Every setting, whether it's a convenience store or a city street, has unique characteristics that will help to make your fights more interesting. Plus, with bosses sprinkled into the mix, you’re bound to face plenty of tough challenges as you work through each area.
Of course, without progression, it wouldn't be a very good rogue-lite. You can gain experience in between runs to unlock new permanent skills and techniques, which should add a little more satisfaction to each playthrough. I'm excited about that feeling of advancement—learning new skills and determining how to handle every new circumstance gradually but steadily.
Karate Survivor looks like an entertaining, fast-paced martial arts brawler with lots of charm and some cool 80s vibes. For anyone who loves old action movies or just wants to let loose with some intense, creative combat, this game could be worth keeping an eye on when it drops on Steam.



It’s clear that Karate Survivor is built for fans of high-energy action games, and I’m looking forward to jumping in and creating some crazy, over-the-top combos of my own when it hits Steam (across the face with a roundhouse kick!) later this month.
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