Kung Fu 2 For You Too?

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It is twenty years since Lee, Kung Fu master, finally defeated the Chop Suey gang. However, one of the gang escapes, and has now returned under the uise of Yie Gah Emperor. He has recruited a gang of heavies and an army of midgets which have a tendency to bounce all over the place rather than walking. Lee Young, son of the original Lee, has come forward to challenge Yie Gah. You are Lee.

There are 24 screens, in groups of four. For the first three in each group, you must move across the screen to the left whilst fighting off midgets. After finishing the third screen, it's time to face the heavies.

In the case of the midgets, a single kick or hit will kill them. Not so with the heavies. In battle, you have an energy bar at the top of the screen, and each time your kick or hit connects with your opponent, his energy decreases. When this reaches zero, he is dead. Unfortunately, you've got the same problem.

Lee is controlled by means of moving left and right, jumping and ducking. He can also kick and thump. Combinations of these can provide other effects - for example low kicks. As well as these standard methods, Lee has two techniques of his own: Chow Mein Noodle power and Oo Long Tea power. After killing a trio of midgets you get a tea leaf; after five leaves, hitting the T key at any time will put your energy back up to maximum.

Unfortunately it seems tapping T gives you tea on tap! A case of TOo Long Tea power, or maybe a programming bug.

The graphics are very good, with several backgrounds, such as caves, gardens and the water size. These and the sprites are well-drawn and colourful - the midgets actually spin as they somersault. Sound is adequate and there is a pleasant little jingle whenever a new Lee starts playing.

One small quibble: I found myself frequently pausing the game by accident. This became very irritating.

Apart from the TOo Long Tea power and the problem with the pause key the game is good, in my opinion better than Yie Ar Kung Fu. For my money I'd give this game the thumbs up.

Gavin Gillings