One Finger Death Punch 2
Everybody Was Kung-Fu Fighting
When it comes to indie darlings, very few have had the honor of exhibiting pure simple fun like One Finger Death Punch. Originally released on the Xbox 360 in 2013 and on PC the following year, the game had a very simple premise. The player needs only to rely on two buttons, on PC being the left and right mouse buttons. Despite the name, players will be using two fingers, one on each button (that is unless you're fast enough for one finger). Regardless, the simple premise and the fluid animations were enough to pique the player's interest for a sequel, One Finger Death Punch 2.
In both the original and its sequel, players control a martial artist surrounded by fighters coming from the left and the right. The player has to press the buttons accordingly as the enemies enter the respective zones. Enemies coming from the left will enter the blue zone and the right will enter the red zone. As these zones are highlighted and the player presses the corresponding buttons, they will defeat the enemies. This begins a certain flow as other enemies and gimmicks are introduced. While the game is easy to pick up, it's deceptively simple as one rule is constantly told to the player...
DO NOT BUTTON MASH!
If One Finger Death Punch 2 had a subtitle catchphrase, it'd be this, but it's more than that. The announcer will say this phrase a lot but within good reason. Anticipating when the enemy will arrive is fine, but prematurely pressing a button leaves the player wide open. This is important when enemies begin to flood the combat area as this increases the chance of getting hit. The player enters each level with a certain number of hit points. Should they all disappear, they will have to restart the level.
The gameplay can get hectic once other variations of enemies are introduced, including ranged attackers and bosses. The ranged enemies will throw weapons that players must pay attention to. Some can be deflected, hitting enemies in the same "zone" as the ranged attacker. Others can be dodged, hitting enemies on the other side of the player. There are also bosses that have properties of regular enemies mixed with a combat system where players will have to tap buttons accordingly in succession to deal damage.
One Finger Death Punch 2 Is Filled With Pop Culture
Depending on how good the player is at completing each level, the difficulty adjusts accordingly. As the player does well, the gameplay speed increases. Should the player begin to struggle, the gameplay speed will decrease. While this doesn't influence the score and its rewards, it keeps the players on their toes. These settings can be adjusted manually as well, giving the players a challenge suited for their level. There are also skill points earned that can be used to give players an edge in future rounds and each loadout can be adjusted between rounds.
The animations and visuals are easily One Finger Death Punch's crowning moments, as the animations are heavily inspired by kung-fu movies and fight scenes. Those who have been around Newgrounds during the 00s should be familiar with the legendary Xiao Xiao series which draws its influence.
What's amazing about the animations is that depending on the speed of the player's inputs, the animations change accordingly. Players who are patient and opt to wait for their opponents will be treated to slow and methodical fights similar to Brue Lee. Those who have faster reactions will enjoy a faster pace Donnie Yen-style choreography with enemies approach by the droves.
Overall, OFDP 2 Is A Vast Improvement Over The Original
The fun doesn't stop with hand-to-hand combat as the players can use a wide range of weapons. Spears, staves, swords, death balls, and even lightsabers are among the many weapons used. Executions involving more than one opponent occasionally happen, rewarding players for perfect play. Each level is like a movie fight scene and it doesn't get boring nor wear out of its novelty. That's the beauty of the One Finger Death Punch series.
There is no story, no character development (outside of increasing your skills), or anything of the sort. It's a straightforward arcade experience featuring bloody carnage and satisfying gameplay. For the naysayers who believe that simple controls do not equal an in-depth fun experience, One Finger Death Punch 2 is a beautiful antithesis. Play at your own pace, turn your mind off and enjoy the senseless violence as your reactionary time increases. It's one of the best games to play when you want to turn your mind off and just have fun.
One Finger Death Punch is available on the PC and PS4.