9 Monkeys of Shaolin Reviews
2020 has been a good year for beat 'em up games in general. There has been a handful of good and mediocre games in this genre and 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is one of those mediocre ones. The art style is great and the animations are smooth and enjoyable to watch. Unfortunately gameplay and especially Co-Op mode are plagued by number of technical issues. Although 9 Monkeys of Shaolin can be fun, but it doesn't add anything new to the genre.
Review in Persian | Read full review
9 Monkeys of Shaolin isn’t the best beat ‘em up to release this year but it’s a pretty darn solid one. It very much nails the time period it’s set in and it’s got a great combat system with some fun upgrades to earn. It isn’t the prettiest game and some of the voice acting and combat sections are bit hit or miss. If you’re a fan of old Chinese kung fu movies or just want a fun beat ‘em up to play with a friend online or locally then you should give this one a try.
The growth in combat complexity was not only satisfying, but the various upgrades and equips allowed multiple strategies and approaches to levels that were surprisingly robust. There's a beauty to the clean but vibrant backdrops and interstitial drawings. 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a rewarding beat-em-up that belongs in every fan's library.
If it had all of its issues ironed out, 9 Monkeys of Shaolin would be a prime example of rewarding beat 'em up gameplay.
As a life-long fan of the beat-em-up genre there's just something simple and satisfying about a good brawler, letting you blow off some steam kicking ass and taking names...
So, if the gameplay isn’t ultimately worth playing the game to completion, the story isn’t worth experiencing, bugs cheapen the gameplay, and the art style is the only thing trying to redeem the experience, is it worth the buy? Well, at a nerve-wracking £15 on Steam and an eye-watering £25 on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, I cannot recommend it at the asking price due to the gameplay annoyances, lacking story, and remaining bugs. Many of the annoyances may feel cheap, but this beat ‘em up certainly isn’t retailed as such.
9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a pleasant surprise in a year full of beat 'em ups. This is not just another brawler, but one with an extensive skill tree, different fighting styles, and a lot of fun gameplay. The game is playable in offline or online co-op and in both styles the game works flawlessly. There are a few bugs here and there, but nothing worth mentioning. If you like to fight, buy this game.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a good throwback to side-scrolling action games of old. There is a lot to like, like the intricate combat system that is very satisfying once you master it. Keep in mind that this is very challenging and you will need some patience to master it. However, it's a good amount of fun and won't take you too much time to beat. If you're looking for a quick action game, give this one a try.
I have a keen interest in martial arts, Chinese and Japanese cultures and of course, beating up videogame baddies. This gives a fairly comprehensive explanation as to why 9 Monkeys of Shaolin appealed to me in the first place. It has all the ingredients to be a hit for gamers with tastes similar to mine. Read on to find out what I made of this beat’em up from Russia based developers, Sobaka Studio.
9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a short but satisfying romp through a fictional China that should appeal to fans of old marital arts movies and the beat-‘em-up genre of video games. Combat is generally fluid with a nice sense of progression, though the story itself is relatively shallow and the game itself only takes about six hours to complete.
9 Monkeys of Shaolin brings you back to the days of great arcade games like TMNT. It is a very fluid beat 'em up game.
If you’re a beat-’em-up fanatic with a PlayStation Store balance to burn, 9 Monkeys of Shaolin might soothe your fighting spirit for an afternoon or so. But at $30, it’s hard to recommend to all but the most pugilistic players out there. If you’re looking for a PS4 brawler with a bit more meat on its bones, I’d recommend getting your hands on Fight’N Rage or Streets of Rage 4 first. Not only are they cheaper options, but they also offer much more bang for your gaming buck.
9 Monkeys of Shaolin does much more than just join the vast list of beat ‘em ups: it is among the best of its kind. Sobaka Studio not only inserted all the elements that I consider essential, but also knew how to go further, adding aspects that differentiate it from the majority and that work very well with the frantic and exciting style of these games. The character's evolution structure prolongs the title's longevity for those who like grinding without making it mandatory for players who despise this mechanic.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A game like 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is appreciated. The usual forms in the woodland runners, an adventurous touch, interesting visual variety, and the Chinorri martial arts cinema as a great backdrop for the story, setting and playable presentation. Fun, with a slightly special rhythm and combat, and a grateful local and online two-player mode. Lovers of action and spanking, we are happy this year.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Whilst not on the same level of Streets of Rage 4, I did enjoy this more than the over frustration focused Battle Toads. 9 Monkeys of Shaolin fits very nicely into a genre but it definitely could do with some quality of life improvements to fine tune more than fix some of the niggles I feel it has.
It won’t blow your mind with innovation or story, but 9 Monkeys of Shaolin isn’t trying to. It revisits the 70’s style of kung fu games, and has fun with the source material. Either solo or with a friend, there’s fun to be had here.
I enjoyed my time with 9 Monkeys of Shaolin. I have always had a soft spot for side-scrolling beat ’em ups going all the way back to the original Streets of Rage games. This is a worthy addition to the genre and even though the story didn’t quite click with me, the gameplay is fun, responsive and varied.
This game is a solid pick-up for beat-’em-up fans, particularly if you can find a friend to play with. Give it a play, and unleash your inner monk.
Though 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a faithful recreation of 70s kung-fu films, it doesn’t contain the same fun factor that its influences provide. There are some aspects that fans of beat em’ ups may enjoy, but it definitely doesn’t move the genre in any unique direction.
9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a Beat'em Up with rpg’s touches can give us a few hours of fun, although sometimes it can be repetitive. It has a wide variety of movements, but many times blows can be failed by the perspective. On a graphic level is a very beautiful game, although in terms of soundtrack it lacks too much. It can be perfect to spend a few hours between larger titles.
Review in Spanish | Read full review