Software:Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style

From HandWiki
Short description: 1999 video game
Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style
North American cover art
Developer(s)Paradox Development
Publisher(s)Activision
Producer(s)Kevin Mulhall
Oliver "Power" Grant
Duane Grant
Designer(s)Benjamin Kutcher
Programmer(s)Peter Jefferies
Artist(s)Paul Interrante
Writer(s)Adam Goldberg (story)
Jay Halderman
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, released as Wu-Tang: Taste the Pain in PAL regions, is a fighting game for the Sony PlayStation console. The basis for the game's story and setting is the real-life hip hop group known as the Wu-Tang Clan, featuring characters based on their stage personas and the martial arts themes of their music. Some members of the group also provide voiceover work and made vocal and production contributions to the music.

Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style uses a unique game engine created by Paradox Development, originally made for their unreleased PlayStation title Thrill Kill. The game was noteworthy for allowing up to four players to fight simultaneously, a feature present in Shaolin Style.

Due to the game's graphic depictions of blood and violence, a special code printed on the instruction manual must be entered within the game to see the full, uncensored action.

Story

The story is mostly told through full motion video (FMV) sequences and tells the tale of a group of martial artists studying under Master Xin, the last practitioner of the ancient kung-fu discipline of Wu-Tang. The first FMV sequence shows a small army of warriors practicing martial arts in a Chinese open-air kwoon under the watchful eye of Mong Zhu. He declares his plans to discover the secrets of Wu-Tang from Master Xin, who he has discovered to be hiding out on Staten Island in New York, which will presumably give him the power to take over the world. Soon after this, Master Xin is captured by Mong Zhu's goons and the Wu-Tang Clan vow to track Zhu down and rescue their master.

The clan fight their way through Mong Zhu's various minions in an effort to rescue their master, leading them through Staten Island, mainland New York and finally China. During a torture session, Mong Zhu discovers the secrets of Wu-Tang are tattooed on Xin's chest. Mong Zhu cuts the skin with the tattoo from Xin's chest, killing Xin in the process and giving Zhu access to the secrets of the Wu-Tang.

When the clan arrive, they take down Mong Zhu and the last of his henchmen. Mong Zhu activates a gas bomb in a last-ditch attempt to take the clan with him. Realizing that his talisman is the same as the bomb Mong Zhu just used, RZA activates his own gas bomb and shoves it in Mong Zhu's mouth. While the rest of the clan open the portcullis blocking their escape, RZA grabs a lamp from the ceiling of the dojo. The clan escape outside, whereupon an explosion destroys the entire building. The game ends with Master Xin's spirit watching down over the clan and smiling.

Gameplay

It is a tournament-style fighting game with matches ranging between two and four fighters at once, with either every fighter for themselves or in 2-on-2 or 1-on-3 team matches (in the single-player game modes the player is regularly faced with multiple opponents and outnumbered in matches). Stylized versions of all nine members of the real-life Wu-Tang Clan appear as characters in the game, with a number of fictional fighters included in the character roster ranging from human martial artists to powerful godlike beings with magical powers (which typically serve as the game's "bosses").

Combat

The combat is similar to many 3D fighting games: two punch buttons, two kick buttons, a block button, and a crouch button. The game differs by the inclusion of "lives" which are lost when the player's health bar reaches zero. When this happens, the player respawns and a life is subtracted. Should the player be killed with only one life left, their character will not respawn and they will lose the match (in team games, all the members of a team must die for victory to occur).

The player has a power-up meter that fills when the player scores or receives hits. When full, the power-up can be activated by pressing all four face buttons at once. Once this is activated, the player's moves are significantly more powerful while the power-up meter drains. Once the meter is fully drained, the effect wears off. Players are free to refill this meter as often as they can during the course of a match.[citation needed]

Finishing moves

Defeating the last opponent in a match will result in a fatality being performed on them in a similar vein to the Mortal Kombat series' Fatality. Each character has five different fatalities which correspond to the four face buttons on the controller, plus one corresponding to the character's throw move. Thus, the fatality performed depends on the last moved performed. Each character only starts with one available finishing move, and must unlock the additional four by playing through the story mode.

The 36 Chambers

Throughout the course of the game's Story Mode the player advances through a series of challenges, called the 36 Chambers - a reference to both the real-life rap group's debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and to the kung fu film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. These challenges range from visiting certain locations to performing combos of a certain length. Rewards for completing these include character concept art, new game modes, characters, and fatalities. Given that some of the chambers require pulling off a certain fatality, the player may be forced to complete a certain goal before proceeding to the next one. Also, the player cannot face the last opponent (and therefore complete Story Mode) until they have first cleared 35 chambers - the 36th being awarded for defeating Mong Zhu himself.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings68%[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStar[3]
EGM4.5/10[5][lower-alpha 1]
Famitsu21/40[7]
Game Informer6.25/10[8]
GameFan78%[9]
GameRevolutionB−[10]
GameSpot5.2/10[11]
IGN8/10[12]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[13]
OPM (US)StarStarStar[14]

The game received average reviews. GameSpot gave it a mixed review almost a month before its release date.[11] Jim Preston of NextGen said, "A decent fighting engine, a great soundtrack, and a little ultra-violence are sewn up into a very respectable game."[13] In Japan, however, where the game was ported and published by Success on June 29, 2000, Famitsu gave it a score of 21 out of 40.[7]

Dan Elektro of GamePro said in one review, "If you can get your skillz up to avoid the severe punishment of the A.I., Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style packs plenty of punch."[15][lower-alpha 2] In another GamePro review, albeit an early one, The D-Pad Destroyer said, "Party gamers looking for a good four-player brawler to play with their friends should give Wu Tang [sic] a look. There's no real Tekken-style technique involved, but get a few friends together and you'll have a good time kickin' it Shaolin Style."[16][lower-alpha 3]


Special Edition "W" Controller

Activision released a special edition set of the game, including a controller in the shape of the characteristic Wu-Tang "W". It featured all of the buttons of the original PlayStation controller, but had neither the vibration capabilities nor the analog sticks of the DualShock. Due to its unique shape it was very difficult to use, making it more of a collector's display piece than a functional control device.[17]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 4/10, and another gave it 6/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game 4.5/5 for graphics, and three 4/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor in one review.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game three 4/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for sound in another review.

References

  1. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (December 2, 1999). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style Released". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wu-tang-shaolin-style-released/1100-2447126/. 
  2. ↑ "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/199341-wu-tang-shaolin-style/index.html. 
  3. ↑ Nguyen, Cal. "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20457&tab=review. 
  4. ↑ Marrin, John (December 22, 1999). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Wutang/. 
  5. ↑ Ricciardi, John; Boyer, Crispin; Hsu, Dan "Shoe"; Johnston, Chris (January 2000). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (126): 235. https://archive.org/details/electronicgamingmonthlyvol126january2000600dpi/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Vol.%20126%20%5BJanuary%202000%5D%20%28Searchable%29/page/n231/mode/2up. Retrieved October 11, 2023. 
  6. ↑ Grant, Jules (December 14, 1999). "Wu Tang Shaolin Style [sic"]. Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=1725&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "ウータン SHAOLIN STYLE" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=19141&redirect=no. Retrieved October 11, 2023. 
  8. ↑ Helgeson, Matt; Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Paul (December 1999). "Wu-Tang ShaoLin Style [sic"]. Game Informer (FuncoLand) (80). http://gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=3343. Retrieved October 11, 2023. 
  9. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus" (January 2000). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (1): 40. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_01/page/n41/mode/2up. Retrieved October 11, 2023. 
  10. ↑ Liu, Johnny (December 1999). "Wu-Tang Shaolin Style Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34088-wu-tang-shaolin-style-review. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Gerstmann, Jeff (November 10, 1999). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wu-tang-shaolin-style-review/1900-2546111/. 
  12. ↑ Nix, Marc (November 30, 1999). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/01/wu-tang-shaolin-style. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Preston, Jim (February 2000). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". NextGen (Imagine Media) (62): 97. https://archive.org/details/NextGen62Feb2000/page/n97/mode/2up. Retrieved October 11, 2023. 
  14. ↑ "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 3 (4). January 2000. 
  15. ↑ Dan Elektro (January 2000). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". GamePro (IDG) (136): 80. https://retrocdn.net/images/8/81/GamePro_US_136.pdf. Retrieved October 11, 2023. 
  16. ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (November 16, 1999). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3158.shtml. Retrieved October 11, 2023. 
  17. ↑ "Wu Controller". August 2010. http://qualityctrl.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/wu-controller.jpg. 
  • Official website
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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