Karate Survivor - PC Review

Officila key art for the game Karate Survivor. A group of people stand looking menacing on a city street,

Read Time:5 Minute, 43 Second

Ever wanted to be an ‘80s action hero but with a twist of absurdity? Enter Karate Survivor, where the streets are your dojo, your fists are your tools, and the teeth you collect from fallen enemies are the key to growing stronger. Developed and published by Alawar, this roguelike is most similar to Enter The Gungeon and Binding of Isaac, but focuses on an arcade feel and using your fists and melee weapons instead of more ranged ones. With heart and humour, it’s perfect for anyone who dreams of clearing out bad guys with a plastic flamingo. The game is available on Steam for the introductory price of £3.86.

Karate Survivor: Tooth Collecting, Bread Breaking, and ‘80s Arcade Action

Karate Survivor is calling your name if you’re ready to dive into a roguelike that trades bullet hell chaos for intense, melee-focused brawling! With its arcade-style charm, inventive combat, and unique upgrade mechanics, this game offers something fresh in the genre. Let us know in the comments what you’re most excited to see—mastering those creative combos, unlocking new abilities, or smashing your way through the levels with every day “weapons.” We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Gameplay

Karate Survivor isn’t just about throwing fists. The game takes every item in your surroundings and turns it into a potential weapon. You’ll find yourself grabbing plastic flamingos and mop handles, kicking footballs, throwing plates, and more. Mastering your surroundings is also essential; scaffolding, recliner chairs, fridge doors, and pushable objects add depth to your strategy. The flexibility makes each run feel different, especially once you’ve unlocked more critical abilities.

Pixelated supermarket video game scene with characters engaging in a brawl. Players navigate shelves and aisles stocked with goods, while time and objectives appear on the gaming interface. Different objects glow that you can interact with. Such as a frying pan to use and hit people with, or a shopping cart to kick at people. — That last Christmas Turkey is mine

In Karate Survivor, upgrading your stats doesn’t mean hoarding coins or collecting mystical gems. Nope, here it’s all about collecting teeth from downed enemies. Need more strength? Collect some chompers and boost those muscles. Each molar means more power for your next showdown. This unique upgrade system and the simple yet progressively challenging move set keep you returning for more.

Game upgrade menu displaying various options including Strength, Stretch, Control, Speed, Lucky Coin, Greed, Life, and Magnet. Each option has unique icons and star ratings. The Control option is highlighted, detailing increased duration of stun, bleeding, and slow effects. The interface features a pixel art style with in-game currency (teeth) and star level — So this is where the tooth fairy shops

Combat in Karate Survivor goes beyond button-mashing thanks to its clever combo system. You gain cards as you collect cash. These can be to gain luck or strength, etc. But they can also be to gain new moves, and if you get cards of the same colour, these will give a percentage boost. You can string together moves that pack a punch. Landing these combos feels rewarding, and each one feels like it’s straight out of a retro arcade game.

Pixelated game interface showing cards with stats: Life, Precision, and Control.With your combo bar underneath showing your different move set — Pick a Card any card

While you play, you’ll gradually unlock abilities. From basic moves like the ability to kick and roll over objects to more advanced skills. It’s all about earning your way to becoming a martial arts master and figuring out which abilities suit your survival style best. The first hour of gameplay is about the tutorial and unlocking these abilities.

Video game unlock screen showing 'Pole Vault' ability, plus list of other unlocked abilities. — Unlock, Karate Chop

The attacks are automatic and rely on a tiny green circle above your character that empties before you can strike. However, this isn’t obvious in battle. Plus, even if you have only one attack in your combo bar, the bar cycles through as though it’s fully loaded. Making those early battles feel like a slog as you wait to attack again. It’s a clever system, but it could use some refining.

One downside is that there’s only one playable character model. Different character models would add more personality to each run, especially in a game where replaying is central to the experience.

Graphics & Audio

One of Karate Survivor’s biggest draws is its commitment to retro graphics. The game’s 8- and 16-bit pixelated style is a nostalgic throwback, dripping with ‘80s arcade flair. Each level’s look is distinct, and a nice variety of character models are specific to each area. However, you’ll occasionally spot a familiar face or two as some characters appear across different levels. The bosses, though, stand apart from the usual goons with unique designs that make each boss battle feel fresh and thrilling.

Illustrated character swinging a baseball bat with bold text reading Jackie Ro on a vibrant green and black background. — That bat isn’t just for baseball

The sound design is on-point. The soundtrack pumps with an arcade beat, but the sound effects steal the show. Sure, there are classic “oomphs” when you take a hit and punch noises that do their job, but the weapon sounds are where Karate Survivor goes the extra mile. The rubberised toy hammer has a squeaky, rubbery impact, while bread crunches, and a broom snaps very satisfyingly. Each sound perfectly complements the improvised combat, and you’ll find yourself laughing at the ridiculous, satisfying “cracks” and “squeaks” as you fight.

Longevity

Karate Survivor offers reasonable longevity for fans of roguelites. Expect around 8-10 hours to complete a full run, depending on your skill level. Each playthrough remains fresh, thanks to the game’s varied abilities, combos, bosses, areas, enemies and environmental tactics.

While there aren’t multiple game modes, the core gameplay’s replayability is solid. The thrill of experimenting with new combos and discovering quirky weapons keeps each run exciting. You’ll find yourself wanting to try different strategies, whether by focusing on certain attack cards or collecting specific upgrades. The wide range of enemies and unique bosses also contributes to replay value, giving you fresh challenges with every level.

Screenshot of a retro video game level selection menu with pixel art style. The screen displays five level options: Supermarket, Bar, Rooftop, Construction Site, and Subway, along with a tutorial button. The background features a cityscape and character designs — I’ll fight you anywhere

The gradual progression of abilities, combined with its humorous combat mechanics, invites players to jump back in and push for better scores. Even after you’ve finished your first run, you’re likely to return to unlock everything and see what else you can master.

Final Thoughts

Karate Survivor is a love letter to ‘80s action movies, with teeth-collecting upgrades, retro graphics, and an improvised combat system that’ll keep you entertained despite some early pacing issues. The single playable character and a somewhat clunky attack timer do nonetheless leave room for improvement. That being said, the game’s creativity, humour, and attention to retro detail make it an enjoyable and unique brawler. Grab your best toy hammer, watch for the boss designs, and dive into a street fight that’s as nostalgic as it is exhilarating.

I give Karate Survivor the Thumb Culture Silver Award

Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.

For more Roguelite reviews of games with horde battles check out Jordan’s review of Halls of Torment

About Author

Tyler Denyer

Tyler Denyer/ Tyluild is a passionate journalist, whose love of video games runs deep. With a focus on crafting captivating video game reviews, they immerse themselves in the worlds of gaming, especially ones with deep and rich lore. Beyond games Tyler is a lover of cats, travelling and finding a tasty treat to eat. Eager to stay on top of the latest trends, they regularly attend video game events, and keep on top of news in the gaming world. Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity, our journalist is equally enthralled by not just games themselves, but also new accessories. Their favorite style of game? Without a doubt, RPGs, allowing Tyler to fully explore his imagination, the grind in game is less tedious than in life.

See author's posts

Karate Survivor – PC Review