Hands-on: Rag Doll Kung-Fu: Fists of Plastic
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jul 22nd 2008 at 1:00PM }
Click for high-resolution image.
Unfortunately, Fists of Plastic has almost no connection to the original Rag Doll Kung-Fu. It's not being developed by Media Molecule and worst of all, it doesn't really take advantage of rag dolls at all. The original PC game featured an innovative control scheme, which involved dragging different parts of the rag doll around and creating motions with physics to unleash attacks. The core concept of Rag Doll Kung-Fu is absent in this PSN download. Instead of dealing with rag doll physics, players simply control these awarkdly animated dolls with the face buttons. Yes, there's a punch and kick button, making this feel like a poor man's fighting game.
Gallery: Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic
The various gameplay modes we got to play around with are meant to be played with as many people as possible. Yes, this is a party game, and a rather shallow one at that. One mode had us playing king of the hill, where we had to stand and do poses at the top of the level. Opponents could jump at any time and try to knock us off. Another mode had us carrying a fish from one side of the level to another in a weird basketball-esque game. Other players can knock the fish out of your hands, creating for some chaotic fun.
While these modes are enjoyable, the core mechanics feel like they need a lot of work. The characters are still meant to be rag dolls, and not ninjas. Therefore, the stilted controls may feel cumbersome to use. The lack of actual rag doll gameplay however, makes the title lose a lot of its unique charm. There are additional moves which can be harnassed by thrusting the SIXAXIS controller. For example, if you press punch and thrust the control left, your character will make a dive to the left. These motions were the only ones that felt "fresh," but we don't know how well received motion controls will come by the community.
Overall, Fists of Plastic feels incredibly cheap. When it stands next to other innovative PSN titles, like Flower, PixelJunk Eden and Fat Princess, it simply cannot compete. Paying homage to LittleBigPlanet's predecessor is something that should be applauded -- too bad it's not a game that we'd like to play.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
halebound00 @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:08PM
:( this makes me sad. I was hoping that it would be a fun little game.
Eric E @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:14PM
You make me sad, so be it.
Come patsy.
Andrew C. @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:10PM
man... I was really looking forward to a good media molecule game.
oh, and nice reference to Monty Python Eric E :)
drdre74 @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:33PM
Best game of the year....Not! the backgrounds look like Little big Planet.
KUV1977 @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:36PM
But at least it looks as if 4 players could play it simultaneously, right?
So maybe it is still worth a look...
Danny F. @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:35PM
Is this an attempt to create Smash Bros on the PS3??
If it is then it doesnt really get my attention....
Be nice to see some free for all action on a PS3 with sony characters or from other studios. This though seems.. eeh..
adolson @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:56PM
There are other fighting games than Smash Bros, you know.. You can punch in both games, but that doesn't mean that one is inspired by the other in any way..
Zombie Huggles @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:05PM
I don't know how much I'd want a PS3 smash brothers. From what little experience with the games I have, they're just cluttered fighting games without much depth, which makes them easy pick up and plays. And I think it's more that Link, Mario, Donkey Kong, and now even Solid Snake are throwing magic wands and pokemon at each other that sells the novelty.
I was interested in this because I had read the original was quite innovative. But if this is just a "fun" take on a great game, then you can count me out. Way to pull a Nintendo Sony!
Gate @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:41PM
A Smash Bros. copy on the PS3 would be freaking awesome. Sucks to here this doesn't quite match up.
Danny F. @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:23PM
@adolson
Well its not even a fighter really. Its a brawler/free for all kind of game.
The game has 4 players at once, you can throw items, jump around stage... I mean you cannot possibly tell me that Smash bros did not inspire this game at all..
But either way, whether it did or not, it doesnt change the fact that this doesn't exactly seem like a must-buy in any way. The overall look of the game seems really boring in the end, hell with all that brownish look with the stages and fighters you can't even tell whos who....
chris.westermann @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:47PM
That is totaly dissapointing.
When I first saw this I thought that the control scheme would be that the analog sticks would control your left and right fists respectively, so you can deliver a flurry of punches by wiggling both the analog sticks back and forth.
To kick, hold the L1/R1 down while moving the analog sticks which controls your feet.
The idea is the analog sticks are like strings on a marrionette, they pull your feet or fists in the direction you pull the analog stick, which I though was in keeping with the whole Rag Doll physics.
I could see a lot of combo moves using this simple control scheme, like hold the L1 button down while quickly rotating the left analog stick and you would do a roundhouse kick. Hold both L1 and R1 down and press both the sticks up to jump, and then release L1 and R1 and wiggle the analog sticks to rain a flurry of punches down on your enemies.
I thought this was going to be an innovative title for the PSN that no other console could do because they didn't have the same control layout as the PS3. No it looks like this game could be cloned for the Wii or Xbox with no problem with the inane control scheme.
What is going on with PSN games? They look to be whipped up by people without any imagination or innovation for the sake of making a quick buck. MOST PSN games seem to be seriously flawed, like Pain, Rocketmen, or High Velocity Bowling, and now this game.
Even Elefunk is fundamentally flawed. Limiting which components you can use per level is a flawed concept since the whole idea of getting maximum points is to use the minimum number or girders. So why impose an artificial limitation on the player? Sure you can use 50 parts to finish a level, but you will get a low score, use just 4 parts if you're really inventive for a top score. But the lazy developers decided that that would make a level that only gives you 2 triangles and 50 boxes so you can't be creative.
And where the heck are games like Lumines for the PS3, PopCap Games, or even a decent incarnation of Tetris. These are sure fire winners for downloadable games for the PSN. What happened to all the arcade ports? 5 mediocre arcade ports came out from Midway and that was it.
The PSN is certainly not being used as a source of innovation, and games like Flow, Everyday Shooter and PixelJunk Monsters are getting lost in a sea of mediocrity second only to WiiWare.
Nozz @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:58PM
i agree with you fully about the control system, what a total letdown. This was one of the most addictive and hilarious games because of the control system but now its gonna be just another generic fighter..... meh!!
ill probably still check this out but im nowhere near as excited about it as i was before.
Jimmijam @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:29PM
This is disappointing! The rag doll control is precisely where the innovation is, not the setting or pretext. Without the innovation, this title falls flat...
What happened? I'm writing a letter to these folks. :-(
HAAS599 @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:20PM
great points. I was also dissapointed in High Velocity Bowling, not so much the controls or graphics, but that you had to unlock bowlers with different skills? STUPID
Just have a simple character and ball editor. Let me and some friends bowl and have fun. I'd rather not be stressed out trying to unlock a the best character just so I can not be hindered by my characters skill.
Brute @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:51PM
This looks like a Super Smash Bros + Little Big Planet game.
It actually seems kind of fun.
Marty @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:01PM
RDKF came out for PC years ago (via Steam) and was a complete flop. I very much doubt LBP will live up to the hype, but if this is a taste of what's to come with that game... I really feel sorry for you guys.
Zombie Huggles @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:26PM
A flop? If we compare independent gaming to independent film, then the point is not to be a commercial success, but to bring something of value without worrying about sales. To experiment. To say, I'm not just going to do tits and guns, I'm going to dig deep and see what I pull out. If one person thinks it's a masterpiece then I have succeeded.
I see your flop and raise you one shut the hell up...
Oh, and LBP not living up to the hype? If the hype is that it's a fun, smile-inducing platformer that capitalizes on co-operative gaming and aims to allow truly in-depth user created material...then it looks like it delivers with every new video.
I can only imagine that the reason you have this negative Mexi-can't attitude is because your parents don't love you and your friends think you're of lesser intelligence. So I feel sorry for YOU guy.
Sorry...that seems a bit mean. I just woke up and may be a bit cranky.
Marty @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:58PM
"Mexi-can't"? ...huh?
I just think the press is making a mountain out of a molehill with LBP. I don't see people spending hours in front of their PS3's creating content for LBP. I see them playing it a few times, the novelty wearing off, and then throwing the game back in the pile.
I just don't think this game will hold the interest of people when other games like Spore will be on the way, already exist (Gary's Mod), and offer better control and flexibility in creativity. I can't see a console game for any console platform allowing more creativity than you could find on a PC, and if this game isn't a new experience for people who have used creative tools on PC's already, I think that's a major problem.
Of course, I could be wrong - but I think too many are placing their hope on this title for it to possibly meet the demands of the hype.
Iain @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:08PM
If this had 4 player co-op online play ... 7 player offline and worked like the original did (physics).. This game would be amazing!
Sad to hear it's so blah.
PunkMaestro @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:15PM
Glad to hear it's not with same control scheme as the original. That was innovative but totally un-playable.
JerJerBinks @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:17PM
DO WANT!
JerJerBinks @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:20PM
Back to your bridge, troll.
JerJerBinks @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:21PM
Worst comment system .... ever.
farfisa @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:36PM
What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong with the comment system.
farfisa @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:36PM
What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong with the comment system.
farfisa @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:36PM
What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong with the comment system.
spyker @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:57PM
Nooooooooo! I was really hoping Media Molecule was working on this. If they were it would be simply amazing :).
Spoon @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:10PM
The only thing i have to say is that Andrew Yoon is a pre-teen r*tard. Read a professional review at IGN instead. This game rocks, and should NOT be compared with LBP nor SMB as they are completely different games. You cannot even compare it to the original as this is uses a completely different control scheme. Do your homework little teen-flamers or your mommies wont let you buy this masterpiece.
Danny F. @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:38PM
Your a douche...
The games not out yet so no site has reviewed it yet, Andrew had some time to play what was done so far to give everyone an idea how it plays. He didn't even mention smash bros at all in the article so I dont know where you came with that one.
Also as far as comparing to the original he was attacking the "ragdoll" concept from the first game being kinda absent from this version... which kinda defeats the purpose of the name using the Kung Fu Ragdoll name....
There was no reason to get all pissy on a article like this.
If your gonna call someone a retard at least sound smart enough to not sound like a retard yourself guy......
farfisa @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:33PM
Those aren't even rag dolls.
...but the gameplay video looks really fun!
mrbiggles33 @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:08PM
"It's not being developed by Media Molecule and worst of all, it doesn't really take advantage of rag dolls at all."
First of all, the original game wasn't developed by Media Molecule, and what does this even have to do it. This games DOES make use of ragdolls in a very interesting way, but who can blame the reviewers ignorance when he tried the game only for three minutes? Well, apperantly not enough to get a feel of the depth of the controller mechanic.
Alex Evans of Media Molecule himself thinks the game is awesome and captured the spirit of the original (When interviewed in the 1Up Yours podcast). This isn't the original, so stop comparing it with it. This is the next iteration, but the author seem to have a problem with new and creative thinking. If everyone thought like that, we would still play Pong and Space Invaders. Fortunally, this is not the case.
It's fun and is actually 100% ragdoll based (which the author apperantly missed), the thing is that these ragdolls are so creativly integrated so they almost act as standard animated characters, but still has a ragdoll feel, with stretchy limbs and everything.
When reading this, it seems like the negative review was only based on "pre-decided" thinking just because of principles. I think this game is great, and cannot sympathize with the author for one second. You should all try it out. I cant wait to get my hands on this masterpiece!!
bakerboi @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:58PM
I wonder why folks keep talking about Super Smash Bros. like it invited somethin?
Yall do know it wasn't the first game to introduce free for all mechanics and item usage in a fighting game right?
Yall do remember CAPCOM right?
They made a few games like that before childish a$$ smash bros was concived.
Good jesus... And will yall stop cryin about this game please? If you buy it and play it and have fun with it what da heck else does it matter?
If the developer had put a lil bit of this and a lil bit of that in a game it would be all well and good, but if they didn't and the game still comes out to be a good game to play, then what are you mad about?
stop acting like you helped in the development of the game.
Damn kids these days.
Casper2008 @ Jul 23rd 2008 9:36AM
The game DOES use ragdoll. Ragdoll PHYSICS is what the game is built on, you need to look at the E3 Debut 2008 Trailer to see what I mean.
The original PC version would never have worked on console?! it would be frustrating, and so wouldn't appeal to a mass market.
You shouldn't be comparing a full priced Super Smash Bros title to a PSN download title, when one is a fraction of the cost.
Neomorphix486 @ Oct 1st 2008 11:02PM
i was actually looking forward to this title! but now it looks like i will pass on this one. how could they call it rag doll kung-fu and get our hopes up of it being like the PC title and then let us down like this?