Toribash (PC Game)

Posted on: July 7, 2010 Posted by: Aaron_George Comments: 27

I first discovered Toribash about 2 years ago and I have loved it ever since. The game has gone through some changes since then (and even more since it was first released back in 2006) but the basic framework remains untouched and even after two years I still find myself firing up this little known indy gamin gem a few times a week. It’s rare that I would use words like elegance to describe a video game, but Toribash warrants such language. It is a game that thrives off of innovation and creativity, not only being completely unique in play, but also having more user made content than other games could ever dream of.

Toribash (TB) is first and foremost a fighting game, it is a game you can play with friends (via internet connection, sorry, no LAN) and beat the crap out of each other without the hassles of broken bones and severed ties. What separates TB from the average fighter is that the player has complete control over what their character does. In most fighting games, the player presses a button and triggers a predetermined event, traditionally called a sprite, so if you press the “A” button, you get the kick animation assigned. In TB however, the player is given the choice to apply movement force to any joint of their fighter, meaning no pre-rendered attacks and complete control over the action. It might sound a tad complex at first, and the pace of the gameplay takes some getting used to, but once you get going its one of the funnest free experiences to be had on a PC (and soon on Nintendo Wii for 1000 or so Wii points.)

The game runs in open GL, and with the latest addition of real time ray tracing it appears absolutely stunning with the graphics on high. Each joint on your fighter reflects the world around it, every inch of them is customizable, and even the environment in which the fights take place is left at the hands of the player through pre-set or user made environment shaders. As well as this a player has recently developed a script which allows for three dimensional settings, such as a desert. To run the game at full visuals takes a lot of CPU power however, so most people will have to do regular play with a slightly less pretty version, however recent changes to the basic graphics of the game make this a more aesthetically pleasing option than you might expect.

Before you jump into the game you should know that it has a pretty steep learning curve. For most people, when you first sit down to play it will feel foreign, but the enjoyment soon comes and, with a bit of practice, you will be lobbing off heads and breaking you opponent to pieces with ease. One of the best aspects of the game is that it is layered well so that it can be played casually in online mode with friends, or if perfection is more your cup of soup can be taken to insane heights in singe player mode where the object is to make intricate matches which save as replays. It has the wonderful adage “I moment to learn, a lifetime to master” floating somewhere in its description, and anything like that is normally worth the time.

Another great thing about TB is that you are far from alone when you play. The forums for this game are more lively than any online game I have ever seen save World of Warcraft, but also without as much crap as you get on WoW. On the forums you can find technical help, game play help, a place to share your replays, art, contests, and if you are into that sort of thing you can meet some pretty cool people as well. This (and youtube) is also where you can see just how far this game has been taken in terms of making the characters do whatever you can think of. The most skilled players of this game are capable of really amazing things, and there is even a whole subsect devoted to making movies and artwork for the game.

TB is totally free, unless of course you want to customize your character. The game makes its money selling these customizations, and while I cant recommend shoveling out hundreds of dollars on it, every time you buy something you know you have helped something independent, in affect you help encourage innovation. Toribash was designed and created by one man and a few friends, it has since grown into one of the best kept secrets of computer gaming. Give this one a shot for sure, it takes a bit of patience, but the pay off is a really good time.

27 People reacted on this

  3. TThis game is pretty good indeed.
    I’ve been playing it more than two years now and im still not planning to stop. I reached almost everything you can in this game but the time you spend in forums and in mirc is just wonderful. I highly recommend this game for every lover of great forums and intersting online games.

    ~Kristis133

  6. This game is filled with jerks. I played for about a week before the asses in the group started to show. I joined their IRC channel, and was trolled relentlessly after asking for the developer, and honestly that was un-needed.

    After reporting the power abuse and trolling to the higher ups in the IRC channel, nothing was done, and honestly that’s fucked up. The game is ok, the community is ok, but the jerks and assholes of the forums and IRC make me want to puke, terrible moderation and terrible administration to let this continue. I hope action is taken, I will not recommend this to any of my friends.

  8. Judith:

    Yea, a lot of the people in the community are mad about this.

    But still, go fuck yourself.

  9. Just kidding.

    But yea, a majority of the staff is working to fix this.
    With time, things will improve.

  11. @Judith:

    You gave it a week?

    Two things you did wrong:

    1. You took the time to look for the people that should be avoided and then did not avoid them and yet you seem to have taken no time at all to look for the good people and the good side of the community. Every community has arseholes and you successfully drowned yourself in every one of them

    2. By asking for the developer you are essentially asking to talk to the CEO of a company, one which does not run or improve itself. i guess what I am trying to say is that you tried to get a hold of a busy man who has priorities, although he is a very nice guy and is a man of the people, he doesn’t have time to deal with every single person who wants to see him, mainly he only sees those who are more involved in what his main concerns are, the forums are generally not one of them.

    Perhaps you should register again and use these tips to improve on your experience. Try making some friends while you’re at it.

  12. I’ve been playing Toribash since August 2007. I have enjoyed every moment of my 3 and so years.

    Toribash takes a little while to get used to it. Once you get used to it, it is endless fun.

  13. yes, pretty much what murmayder said. judging by own experience, you got trolled into oblivion by being immature and thoughtless, no one suffers fools gladly.

  15. BAHAHAHAHAHHA JUDITH, THAT FORUM IS ABOUT TROLLING. DONT BE SUCH A FAG. THEY WILL EAT YOUR SOUL.

  17. to clear up some discrepancies. anything you pay for from the troibash website can be earned in the game for free.
    to customize your character you need only to win a lot, and sell your skills on the forum. If you customize other characters for them it is surprising how much the pay.

    toribash solves the ultimate problem of most fighting games, balance. by giving no player any advantages it forces matches to be decided by skill rather than picking the opponents weak character. long live toribash!!!!

  20. Been playing this game for a few months now and have a pretty good set, really enjoy the game and would recemend it to anyone who has time to put into a pretty fun and entertaining game.

    Be warend you wont be a god at the game in the drop of the hat but eventually it will come just takes time.

  21. Lol tb sucks, I farmed like 3 belts in the game (about 3000 games), and noone noticed it. It is a nice game for the first 4 months, then you get bored and try to troll everyone, and the forums are awesome for trolling.
    e.e

  27. All games have trolls and such but toribash has done a good job of keeping them under control.
    I have played for just over a year now and no other game I have played can match it.
    One thing that I did not read about in the article was the clans I’m not going to talk about it though.

    Its just a awesome game.
    I’m on it every day .

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