It’s not often you see a fighting game on the computer and for good reason. Just about every fighting game ever made for the computer has been a complete failure. The only pure arcade fighting game for the computer I can recall enjoying was One Must Fall 2010, a classic by Epic. Since then very few developers have taken a stab at fighters, with the exception of the popular console series (Virtual Fighter and Mortal Kombat). Tournament of Warriors doesn’t break any molds or even seem to fit into one, it could possibly be the worst fighting game ever created.

Tournament of Warriors, which I will now on refer to as TOW, uses two modes of graphics acceleration: Direct3D and Glide. Unfortunately TOW does a very bad job at dazzling or even mildly amusing gamers with its low budget acceleration. Graphic effects are very weak, and are completely reminiscent of such old school 3d games as Battle Arena Toshinden. Most of the character animations are blocky and don’t seem to move and act very realistically. Textures are also bland and extremely grainy looking, showing a real lack of detail on the designers part. Graphics buffs look elsewhere, TOW isn’t for you.

Controls are very basic, consisting of two punches and two kicks and up, down, forward, and back. Special moves are done via combinations like back and punch etc. Sound effects fall to the bottom of the barrel with less than stellar fighting effects. The sounds of combat can’t be that hard to replicate, I could make better sound effects with some pots and pans and a few sticks.

TOW contains nine playable fighters and eleven unique arenas. Just about the only thing this game has going for it is the arenas. Locales include oasis, laser room, lava pit, wind tunnel, spider web and more. The arenas aren’t laid out in the traditional motif, instead they are all shaped differently with obstacles in them. For example, oasis has small pits scattered around the arena, which don’t do much but it adds a little twist to the game. Characters are basically run of the mill weirdo, android, and buffed out guy deal with no real originality. TOW has several play modes like player vs character (a fighter/character you create), and player vs player, but lacks 2 player support. This game fails because it is sluggish, it’s not intense and it’s not fun. It’s basically a game of I hit you, you hit me with a few unoriginal special moves thrown in. For those of you looking for an enjoyable multiplayer experience, look elsewhere, the creators of TOW didn’t feel it was necessary to include multiplayer.

This game sucks. I think that just about sums it up. No one in his or her right mind should ever pay for a game like this. Some day there will be a good fighter on the PC, I’m positive, but for now I’ll just stick with my PlayStation.