Chambers of Shaolin
Chambers of Shaolin is a 1989 video game released for the Amiga and later ported to the Atari ST and Commodore 64.
| Chambers of Shaolin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Thalion Software |
| Publisher(s) | Grandslam Entertainment |
| Composer(s) | Jochen Hippel |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Amiga CD32, Atari ST, Commodore 64 |
| Release | 1989 |
| Genre(s) | Action, Beat 'em up, Fighting |
| Mode(s) | Single Player, multiplayer |
Plot
The game's plot takes inspiration from the 1979 movie The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Hang Foy Qua, the protagonist of the game, traveled from his hometown of Queping, to the monastery of Shaolin in Tibet in order to train under the temple. Hang's younger sister has been kidnapped by the emperor. By conquering the trials and facing other fighters, we are helping Hang become a fighting master and save his sister from a tyrannical government.[1]
Gameplay
The game offers two distinct styles of gameplay. Initially, the player must clear six tests that showcase the player's skill in combat disciplines, specifically Agility, Balance, Fire, Speed, Stick, and Strength. Clearing said trials requires reacting to (dodging) obstacles thrown at the player, such as dodging projectiles in the Agility and Stick tests, and hitting buttons with the correct timing as in the Balance and Fire tests.
Upon clearing said tests, the player will be offered the chance to clear rounds of 1-on-1 fights with other Shaolin fighters. Performance in the previous trials impacts the player's skillset and strengths against other fighters.
Reception
Overall, reception for the game was positive, praising its gameplay and handling.[2][3] The title was specifically of note being the first game released by Thalion Software, signifying a welcome addition to the developer in the video game marketplace. Contemporary reviews for the game state that while it was graphically unimpressive, the gameplay and controls were surprisingly sharp for the time.[4]