Sai Combat

STORY / GAMEPLAY
The gameplay is the same as the Spectrum. Sai Combat is based on one of the Japanese martial arts, a quarterstaff-style combat system where you can hit your opponent with your fighting stick as well as punch and kick him in an attempt to realize your score. Defeating an opponent results a grade raise or change in belt color. Your energy is shown with a white dragon turning red when weakened (four successful strikes are enough to get your opponent on the ground). Gameplay offers up to 10 different movements, including front kicks, roundhouse kicks, low kicks and a variety of offensive and defensive techniques with the stick. The game also supports a two-players mode, in which you can fight with a friend for honor! Sai Combat is a really joy to play, although the action is somewhat slow (as with all mid 80s fighting computer games), and the simulated sport is relatively original.

GRAPHICS / SOUND
Sai Combat is another Spectrum port, and like most of Amstrad's games back in the day, it's better than the original, at least in terms of graphics. The visuals are fine, nothing to complain about or to get overly excited about, for that matter. The backdrops are fine, although limited to just two sceneries, while the sprites are nicely animated resembling realistically the fighting moves. The overall action is a bit slow though. Compared to the original (Spectrum) version, the action here is slower, and the backgrounds are different. The sound is probably at the downside, featuring a few unrealistic sound effects when hitting your opponent, while there is a short tune playing at the end of each match.