Steam's Initial Third-Party Game Largely Overlooked, Owing to Fading Memories of Its Existence
Hop aboard the memories' train with Steam's revamped top sellers
Steam's revamped monthly top sellers list now offers a nostalgic ride all the way back to 2004, and it's been a rollercoaster trip down memory lane. One peculiar discovery? The underdog fighting sensation, Rag Doll Kung Fu.
Many of us may not have heard of it, but this martial arts party brawler holds the honors of being the first ever third-party game to grace Steam, way back in 2005 - even predating The Orange Box, at a time when Half-Life 2's launcher held the spotlight.
Developer Mark Healey, a name you may not recognize, was the visionary behind Rag Doll Kung Fu. This British game creator thrived in high-profile studios like Bullfrog during the epic days of Dungeon Keeper, and later joined Peter Molyneux at Lionhead, contributing to Fable and Black & White.
In his spare time at Lionhead, Healey crafted Rag Doll Kung Fu, a game he fashioned around an amateur martial arts film he and his amigos produced, complete with authentic footage strewn throughout. Post-launch, Healey traded the PC scene for the greener pastures of PlayStation, co-founding Media Molecule and crafting the LittleBigPlanet series and Dreams.
The game's quality is up for debate, with my personal experience being that it's akin to a Smash Bros-esque party fighter utilizing stretchy physics, albeit with some questionable racial stereotypes. Time may decide if it's worth a reevaluation, but there's no questioning its historical impact.
Without digression, Rag Doll Kung Fu played a pivotal role in shaping the PC gaming landscape as we know it. Back in the day, Steam was seen as a nuisance, interfering with the traditional buying-and-selling mechanisms. Thanks to trailblazers like Healey, the whole landscape of our treasured hobby took a definite turn for the better. Thus, to Rag Doll Kung Fu, we tip our hats for your trailblazing influence.
Amazingly, it's still kicking 20 years later and available on Steam for only a buck, giving curious history buffs the chance to explore a piece of PC gaming history for themselves. Whether it'll run smoothly on contemporary systems is a moot point, as its listed as "Unsupported" on the Steam Deck.
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Curiously, it appears there are few user reviews for Rag Doll Kung Fu - a paltry 68 reviews, sitting at an impressive 73% positive rating. This sparse feedback might be due to the game launching eight years prior to Steam's review system, but let's not rule out the possibility of other factors at play.
Regardless, it still receives the occasional peek from the gaming community. User mudkipi, for instance, dropped a review as recently as last November, securing themselves a complimentary copy of the game (it seems code giveaways are still a thing). In his epic review analysis, mudkipi astutely declared "They ragging on my kung til I fu," a fitting eulogy for a truly iconic game.
Robin ValentineFormerly editor of PC Gamer magazine and the revered GamesMaster, Robin blends years of gaming journalism with an undying love for PC gaming. His fondness for PC gaming was ignited by his initial encounter with the mesmerizing glow of the monitor as he navigated his way through Simon the Sorcerer on his uncle's machine. Ever since, he's been an unwavering aficionado, devouring any RPG or strategy game that crosses his path, channeling his devotion into this resplendent webpage with his thoughtful features, reviews, and critiques.
- The historic underdog fighting sensation, Rag Doll Kung Fu, is still available on Steam for just a dollar, allowing curious history buffs to explore a piece of PC gaming history.
- Despite its launch eight years prior to Steam's review system, Rag Doll Kung Fu boasts an impressive 73% positive rating, hinting at its enduring appeal.
- In the gaming world, the latest happenings, top deals, and captivating reviews are presented by the acclaimed PC Gamer squad, offering insights into new and trending games like never before.
- Robin Valentine, former editor of PC Gamer magazine and GamesMaster, shares his passion for PC gaming through thoughtful features, reviews, and critiques on this webpage.
- With the advancements in technology, gadgets like the Steam Deck are now available, offering users a seamless gaming experience across different platforms.
