One Finger Death Punch is a refreshing experience in an industry that is saturated with AAA games (well at least the notion of AAA).

The game takes a very simple idea, using very simple controls (just two buttons), builds on it and polishes it to a very fine level. Looking at the video on the Steam page may make you think that you can get through this "simple" game with button-mashing. However, you're very wrong if you think that way. The game warns you from the very start that button-mashing will get you nowhere. One Finger Death Punch builds on its simple controls to create a gameplay system that gets positively sophisticated.

You will face different enemy types that require different combinations of clicks/keypresses to defeat. While the fundamental gameplay mechanic (left click/arrow to hit left, right click/arrow to hit right) stays the same, the different combinations add up to make up for a fascinating gameplay experience. Let's just put it this way - the moment you think that you've got the game figured out, it throws you a new enemy type, a different level mode that challenge you to sharpen the very skills you thought you've mastered.

There is an RPG element to this game. As you progress through the game, skills become unlocked. These skills add on to your overall gameplay experience and help you manage as the pace of the game gets faster and faster.

One thing that surprised me about this game is how the voice acting (well, if we can refer to the sensei as that) adds to the game. It gives the whole game (each and every stage) some sort of dramatic sense with the sensei explaining to you the game mechanics.

I find myself coming again and again to clear earlier stages, trying to outdo myself each time. I would love to see this game on a handheld (e.g. PlayStation Vita).

I definitely recommend this game. It's amazing how a well-polished gameplay system can bring the fun that we've been seeking (perhaps in the wrong places)