Co-Op Corner: Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues (PC)
By Thonos
2/7/2021
By Thonos
2/7/2021
Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues is a side scrolling beat'em game based on the Cobra Kai TV show that currently is on Netflix (previously YouTube). For anyone who hasn't heard of the show, here is the quick recap: Cobra Kai takes place thirty four years after the events of the first Karate Kid movie. The two main characters from the movie, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso are reprised by their original actors and they reignite their rivalry from the movies with Johnny reopening his former karate dojo Cobra Kai while Daniel tries to stop him. Along the way new characters are brought in and others from the franchises three movies are brought into the show. This was an idea that on paper probably shouldn't have worked, but ended up being a great success with the third season just being put out and a fourth season in the works. My brother and I are fans of the series so we decided to give this game a try.
The game takes place in the Cobra Kai universe, but does not tie into Season 3. However, I would recommend watching the first two seasons before coming into the game (at least season 1). In the game you start by picking with the Cobra Kai or Myagi dojo and this will serve as your roster you can pick from. Each dojo has four characters which you find as you progress through the game. In order to get the ultimate ending you are going to have to play through the game as both dojos. The game is pretty expansive with its twenty eight stages that cover many areas in the Cobra Kai universe, so getting the ultimate ending is no small feat.
This game has a lot of mechanics to it. The characters each have their own movesets along with dojo skills that are shared among all of the characters. Characters can be swapped out at will. Multiple attacks on enemies gives you a combo rating with higher ratings, giving you health back and even reviving fallen characters. There are items and powerups that help you throughout the stages. Defeated enemies drop coins which are used between stages at your dojo to unlock and power up skills. While there are a lot of mechanics going on the game does a good job describing them to you.
The game plays well, which is something I don't always see in licensed games. This is a side scrolling beat'em up and when you throw in all the mechanics I mentioned above, it does make it entertaining. The game isn't perfect, there are some animation hiccups and some moves seem awkward to use. But I never saw anything that made me not like the game. I found the graphics to be pretty decent and consistent while the audio was well done. A lot of the actors recorded their own lines for the game which I enjoyed.
My brother and I really liked this game. We have a long way to go before we beat the game, but this is one we plan on coming back to until we beat it. The fighting mechanics are good and I like how each character has their own moves along with all the upgrades that can be bought at the dojo. While some people might be turned off by the graphics, I liked them and found the gameplay to be more important. Any fan of beat'em up games should give this one a chance along with anyone who wants to explore the Cobra Kai universe further.