Master of Tea Kung Fu Review

By totally committing to its premise, Master of Tea Kung Fu is so much more than the Infinity Blade knock-off it could’ve easily been. Through its creative mechanics and delightful visuals, it’s completely invested in its tea-loving hero - and by the end players will be, too.

As the eponymous caffeinated master, players take on waves of enemies in one-on-one duels using their peculiar brand of martial arts. The basics are simple enough. Swipe in various directions to parry enemy attacks while launching your own, and hold the shield for safe blocks. Frequently, players will have to complete quick-time events to dole out the full damage of an attack string, and these sequences mix enough new and recurring patterns to feel interesting while still being fair.

But the tea, and its myriad of uses, gives Master of Tea Kung Fu its most memorable moments. Players start each wave with a full of cup, but how they use it is up to them. They can take sips throughout the match, forcing them to defend themselves in the meantime, to power up screen-filling anime super moves. They can equip the tea with various spices that provide passive buffs throughout the fight. Or, if they are really desperate, they can splash the scalding liquid onto their enemies, draining their supply and utterly annihilating their opponent as he recovers. Meanwhile, if players get hit they'll lose tea, keeping them on their toes. More crucial than a mere gimmick, the tea is an awesome way to customize both your character and your fighting style. It gives the game its identity.

Master of Tea Kung Fu's fighting system is so great it will even distract players from how repetitive the game can get at times - as long as they don’t play it for marathon sessions. Enemies change slightly, as do the backgrounds, but it all pretty much boils down to wailing on one dude after another or occasionally punching down a flurry of eagles Karateka-style. However, the endlessly expressive cel-shaded graphics, with huge, well animated, Punch-Out!!-style cartoon characters, also continue to entertain even as the gameplay drags. There’s just something about watching a mustachioed goon wipe burning hot tea off his face as you knock his teeth out that never gets old.

Master of Tea Kung Fu takes an iffy idea and has the faith to explore it from many possible angles, which is why it works. It turns inner peace into outer strength.