Kung Fu Panda (video game)

Kung Fu Panda is a video game, loosely based on the film of the same name. The game was released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 2, Wii, and Nintendo DS in June 2008.[1] It is about the quest of a giant panda named Po to become the Dragon Warrior.

Kung Fu Panda
Developer(s)Luxoflux (PS3, Xbox 360)
Beenox (PC)
XPEC Entertainment (PS2, Wii)
Vicarious Visions (Nintendo DS)
Publisher(s)Activision
Director(s)Joby-Rome Otero
Producer(s)Brian Clarke
Designer(s)Chris Hewish
Composer(s)
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Release
  • NA: June 3, 2008
  • AU: June 25, 2008
  • EU: June 27, 2008
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay
Gameplay of the Xbox 360 version

Kung Fu Panda is based on the movie Kung Fu Panda. Players initially control Po, who differs from the movie in that he possesses a basic level of martial arts skill from the beginning, enabling him to participate in battle. In addition to fighting and jumping challenges, maintaining balance is another important element of the game, such as Po crossing tightropes, staying on moving platforms, and steering a boat through a dangerous river. Over the course of the game's narrative, the player improves Po's skill by adding various new fighting techniques and special moves, although in some parts of the game, the player will have to complete the tasks as another character.

After collecting a number of coins at the end of each level, the player has the option to buy upgrades to Po's moves and health, as well as a different set of new outfits. Eventually, as the player progresses through the game, they'll be able to unlock other characters, including Master Shifu and the members of the Furious Five (a team of elite fighters each with their own fighting styles and mini-games). In addition, the player will be able to use objects and weapons when fighting. Furthermore, before each new level, Po narrates the continuing story, while the words are being scrolled up on the screen.

In the Wii version, the Wii Remote is used to perform moves and skills, such as the Wuxi Finger Hold; in the PlayStation 3 version, the motion sensors of the Sixaxis controller can be used to control Crane in missions, where players play as him, while in the Nintendo DS version, while the D-pad moves Po, the touch screen is mainly used for combat moves, in the style of the DS version of Spider-Man 3, which was also developed by Vicarious Visions.[2]

Multiplayer

The game includes a multiplayer mode with new levels and characters. In addition, the game features bosses, including the Great Gorilla, the Wu Sisters, and Nameless. The player can collect action figures of the Furious Five and rare coins and use them to unlock things at the Extras Menu.

Plot

In Ancient China, Master Po Ping has a dream of bringing down the Blackhoof Boar Clan as the Dragon Warrior, the most powerful Warrior in the land. Mr. Ping wakes him up so Po can work at the noodle shop. The next day, the Tournament of the Dragon Warrior is held at the Jade Palace, to determine which of the Furious Five (Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, and Mantis) are worthy of being the Dragon Warrior. Master Po Ping intervenes and lands in the center of the palace and is chosen as the Dragon Warrior.

Master Po Ping trains with Master Shifu after being chosen. Shifu receives word from Zeng, his messenger, that Tai Lung escaped from prison and is coming for the Dragon Scroll, the key to ultimate power. Po, after napping inside the Palace, stops the Blackhoof Boar Clan from stealing treasures. Master Po Ping and Master Crane are sent to Lotus Lake and find that the Golden Croc Gang have taken over and are demanding the villagers give up their egg hatchlings. Po rescues the eggs and the leader's grandchild after Master Crane saves him from the sergeant in a fierce chase.

Master Po Ping and Master Shifu head to Wudang Mountains to find some relics of Grand Master Oogway, but they discover that Great Gorilla and his soldiers have got their first. Po grabs the relics and defeats Great Gorilla while Shifu defends the Wudang Temple. Back at Lotus Lake, Master Po Ping and Master Shifu must save some villager geese from the Croc Gang, who returned despite Po's interference. After their victory, Master Shifu tells Master Po Ping that the Furious Five have gone to fight Tai Lung themselves and leaves Master Po Ping to find Po’s way back to the Jade Palace.

When Master Shifu arrives back at the Wudang Mountains, a Wolf Slasher tells him that Tai Lung has already defeated and captured the Furious Five. Master Shifu fends off the Lang Shadow Army and the rest of the Great Gorilla’s Army, rescues the Furious Five and sends them back to the Jade Palace. Master Po Ping, wandering the Lands, is looking for his way back to the Palace, but not before stumbling upon Tai Lung's training grounds and finding the Lair of the Wu Sisters. He is able to invade the Lair and defeat the Wu Sisters and finds a map back to the Jade Palace

At the Palace, Master Shifu fends off the rest of the Lang Shadow Army and confronts Tai Lung himself. Master Po Ping, who learns about this from Mr. Ping upon his arrival in the village, goes to the palace to stop Tai Lung and save Master Shifu. Mr. Ping tells him that his secret ingredient soup is nothing and says to make something special, you have to believe it is. Master Po Ping realizes that the same implies with the Dragon Scroll and that he has to believe he's the Dragon Warrior. Master Po Ping gets help from Master Monkey and heads for the Jade Palace. Tai Lung fights and defeats Shifu and demands he give up the Dragon Scroll. Master Shifu refuses, saying he'd rather die than give it to him. Master Po Ping arrives in time and takes on Tai Lung himself. After a fierce duel, Master Po Ping uses the Wuxi Finger Hold and defeats him. Afterwards, the Valley celebrates Master Po Ping’s victory .

Reception

The game received generally positive reviews from critics. The Xbox 360 version of the game received a 6.5/10 from GameSpot,[3] it scored a Metacritic rating of 75/100 from 42 critics.[4] It also scored 7.5/10 from IGN.[5] It also got a positive score of 8/10 from Game Informer.[6]

In 2009, it won the International Animated Film Society's Annie Award for Best Animated Video Game, "in recognition of creative excellence in the art of animation."[7]

Sequel

A sequel, Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors, was made for the Wii and Nintendo DS game systems and got mixed reviews.[8]

References
  1. Kung Fu Panda for PC - Kung Fu Panda PC Game - Kung Fu Panda Computer Game
  2. IGN review of DS version of Kung Fu Panda
  3. Kung Fu Panda for Xbox 360 Review - Xbox 360 Kung Fu Panda Review
  4. Kung Fu Panda (Xbox360: 2008): Reviews
  5. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/880/880257p1.html
  6. Game Informer Online Archived 2008-12-05 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Kung Fu Panda dominates the Annie Awards". The Annie Awards. January 30, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
  8. Metacritic
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