Preview: Path of Fury: Episode I – Tetsuo’s Tower
Path of Fury is an action-packed VR game developed by the independent creator Leonard Menchiari, known for titles such as Trek to Yomi and The Eternal Castle. He has ventured into the VR realm with a game that draws inspiration from 80s Chinese Kung-Fu films and classic beat-em-ups. The question is, does this nostalgic vibe translate effectively into the world of Virtual Reality?
Release Date: March 13th 2025
Developer: Leonard Menchiari
Publisher: ABONICO GAME WORKS
Price: US $9.99
Previewed On: DPVR E4 Black
* Access Provided For Preview *
The game follows a classic revenge story, much like many action and Kung-Fu films. It begins in a high-rise building where you find yourself interrogating a person tied to a chair. This scene establishes the mood and provides insight into your quest to reach Tetsuo’s Tower.
This sets the stage for the gameplay, where you’ll navigate through various foes in your quest for vengeance. Unlike the action-packed style of John Wick, inspired by the film and game aesthetics that Leonard Menchiari draws from, you’ll rely solely on your fists and blocking techniques. This means you’ll face off against either single opponents or groups, focusing on striking and defending against their attacks.
The mechanics involve hit zones appearing around the body or face, which shrink over time, making it increasingly difficult to land precise hits. To heighten the challenge, there’s a color-coded system indicating the required force: white for quick jabs, blue for medium strikes, and red for powerful blows.
If you strike with the right angle and power, you’ll deal significant damage, often taking out weaker foes in one hit. On the flip side, if your angle is off or your attack lacks strength, you’ll leave yourself vulnerable. When an enemy strikes, you’ll see a little spark indicating the direction of the attack, and you’ll need to quickly move your hand to block it. If you manage to block successfully, the enemy will be open for you to counterattack, but you have to act fast during these opportunities.
At first, the combat may seem straightforward as you dispatch the lower-tier enemies, but as you progress, you’ll encounter tougher opponents that require more effort to defeat. In these later stages, the game can really become a workout—just navigating a short segment can get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping.
Path of Fury is an action-packed beat-em-up that follows a set path, meaning there’s no manual movement involved. Once you defeat the enemies in your current location, the game automatically transports you to the next designated spot where new foes await. This transition to the next battle is achieved through a blink teleportation system, which I believe is a great choice for ensuring player comfort during this type of automatic movement.
Upon stepping into the opening scene and making my way through the first level, I found myself pondering the style and quality of the visuals. The grainy, low-resolution, and pixelated textures really stood out to me as something that needed improvement. However, as I continued playing, I began to appreciate this aspect as one of the game’s unique charms. I realised that the retro aesthetic was a perfect fit, evoking the nostalgic vibe of old VHS tapes and capturing the essence of 80s Kung-Fu films. With the graphics bringing to mind classic side-scrolling games and early 2000s beat-em-ups, enhancing the overall experience and beautifully encapsulating all the influences in a single package.
Path of Fury: Episode I initially seemed like it might be just another forgettable title on the Meta Quest store and in the VR landscape. However, after diving into the first few sections and facing tougher opponents, I found myself genuinely impressed. As you encounter more challenging and aggressive enemies, and you start chaining together precise attacks and blocks, you’ll feel like a Kung-Fu master straight out of an 80s Kung-Fu film. This sensation is amplified by the unique visual style, which, while initially a bit jarring, quickly immerses you in the gritty atmosphere reminiscent of those classic VHS movies. Plus, this game offers an intense workout, making it a great addition to your VR fitness routine if that’s your thing. I’m left eager to see more than just this first episode in the Path of Fury series, and I hope Leonard Menchiari continues to build on this exciting universe.