Why are Xenophobe and Karateka considered bad?

[DracIsBack]

 

 

I actually really like xenophobe, i think its one of those games that has become mass market black listed without good reason,

 

Out of curiosity, where is Xenophobe blacklisted? While Karateka frequently gets lamblasted around here, I can't say I really recall that happening with Xenophobe. Only really negative review iI've seen is on VGChartz but it's one dude's opinion.

[Lost Dragon]

Never really seen a huge amount of love for Xenophobe on any format.When the arcade machine appeared, some reviewers found controls frustrating, game lacked variety and by time home (micro) versions appeared, feeling seemed to be they were decent conversions of a rather average coin-op.

 

I enjoyed the Lynx version, though that's supposed to have improved controls.

 

Maybe the 7800 version just falls under same hat as many other versions, game just rather uninspiring to many?.

[MrFish]

Never really seen a huge amount of love for Xenophobe on any format.When the arcade machine appeared, some reviewers found controls frustrating, game lacked variety and by time home (micro) versions appeared, feeling seemed to be they were decent conversions of a rather average coin-op.

 

I enjoyed the Lynx version, though that's supposed to have improved controls.

 

Maybe the 7800 version just falls under same hat as many other versions, game just rather uninspiring to many?.

 

I think that's just it. But I find it enjoyable as a diversion. I like being able to just roam around, casually blasting crap.

[Lost Dragon]

I'd lost count of how many UK magazine reviews of numerous games on numerous formats that had opening line of something like...

 

'I was never a fan of this in the arcade (or on platform X or Y)'.

 

Well if you hated it there, chances are at the very best you've gone in blinkered and it's doubtful, espically with arcade conversions, much has been changed.

 

I also often wonder with Lynx reviews if reviewers sometimes blinded by the technical aspects, i mean Shadow Of The Beast, is a marvelous showcase of what the Lynx hardware is capable of, but original game not all that and not, i find suited for handheld play.

 

But it's all down to personal preferences at the end of the day.

[Agent X]

This is the first time I've ever heard Xenophobe for the 7800 being considered "bad". I'd say it's one of the better 7800 games overall. It's definitely lost some weight in the trip home from the arcade, but it's still a very playable game in its own right.

 

The Lynx version is a much better game (better than the arcade game, even), but that's expected when you've got a newer, more powerful piece of hardware to play with.

[Greg2600]

Xenophone is okay. Karateka is plain putrid.

[Bill Loguidice]

While this is likely not true and certainly not true in EVERY case, whenever I hear of anyone disliking one of the good versions of Karateka, I always think they don't "get it." Frankly, I always wished there were more fighting games like Karateka, i.e., having to carefully consider timing and not having to worry about memorizing special moves or how fast you are on the stick. Sadly, there have been few games like Karateka since, probably because it's not necessarily as accessible as the usual button masher, though I do like the modern reinterpretation for systems like the Xbox 360 and iPad, which is more like a rhythm game than a fighting game, and at least captures the spirit of the original.

[+Trebor]

Xenophobe I find to be a very good game under the 7800. If some find it to be boring or repetitious, try the "Advanced" or "Expert" setting instead. Regardless, if you don't like the Arcade game, then probably there's no liking this port either.

 

By default, many 7800 games, which have the option to select the difficulty level, are set to "Standard". "Standard" is an easier difficulty than what you would typically encounter in the Arcade, only presenting somewhat of a challenge. Programmers were advised to design games that way, including making "Advanced" closer to the Arcade difficulty and "Expert" to be a very hard challenge, but not impossible:

 

 

Captured here, playing through a Standard game for almost an hour. It does become increasingly challenging, but again, for a quicker paced challenge, try Advanced or Expert:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJj9UVriYtQ

 

The two player split screen action is cool as well.

It also showcases nice groundwork in having a Spy Vs Spy game.

[SoundGammon]

I like playing Xenophobe with the Peter Gunn theme playing on the stereo! The character seems to walk with the beat!

[Lauren Tyler]

I tried Karateka once, the controls were horrible.

 

But Xenophobe wasn't too bad actually. Despite the generic look of the player characters, I actually found it to be very faithful to the arcade game. (Even more so than the NES at that.)

[Jinks]

I like the end of the game. It sucks.

[Lost Dragon]

Bit off topic, but...during a clear out, found another UK magazine review of the home conversion of Xenophobe, this time on the ZX Spectrum, same vibe to review...average game, only really 'worked' in coin-op with 3 players, simply does'nt translate well to home formats for long term play, espically not playing solo.

 

UK Press just never seemed to warm to the game, sadly.

[Android8675]

I have the new updated Karateka on Steam, it's pretty fun. Fairly simple game. I got stuck at the end where the bird is attacking, that damn bird.