God Hand

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Oct 10, 2006
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 48
  3. Negative: 1 out of 48
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  1. eToychest
    89
    What really pushes God Hand over the top, though, is the presentation and how fun it is. In other brawlers, you’re restricted to punching guys in the face or kicking them in the stomach. God Hand finally lets you kick that stupid demon that’s been giving you trouble right between the legs.
  2. Play UK
    89
    The perfect mix of button-hammering and technique, and all at a suitable difficulty level. The battles stay fresh thanks to all the different attacks and the cast are odd enough to keep you interested without resorting to cliches. [Issue # 149, p.74]
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  3. Play Magazine
    85
    God Hand is awesome. [Nov. 2006, p.85]
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  5. PSX Extreme
    85
    Whether you picked up the stellar "Okami" or not, give it’s B-game cousin a shot if you’re a fan of challenging games with great mechanics. Oh yeah, the music rules, too!
  6. Console Gameworld
    83
    If you’re a gamer that is itching for a challenge, God Hand will deliver. It’s not the most brilliantly made game ever, and in fact it actually feels very unpolished, but once you get over the initial learning curve you’ll have a blast. Just make sure you start on easy mode.
  7. Gaming Age
    83
    There are lots of clichés and stereotypes and the scrip makes fun of each one in turn, making for a light, fast story. But even with it's self-deprecating humor and over-the-top boss characters, the story takes a distant back seat to the action.
  8. Game Revolution
    83
    But all those bells and whistles take a back-seat to solid fundamentals and a commitment to comedy, making God Hand only the best beat-em-up game released for the PS2.
  9. PSM3 Magazine UK
    82
    So ridiculous you'll wonder if you're actually dreaming it - but still one of the best scrappers in ages. [Dec 2006, p.86]
  10. GameZone
    81
    The challenging nature and plethora of attacks allows you to go back to the game quite a bit. While it’s a pretty wacky game, it’s all in good fun, and more importantly, it’s actually funny.
  11. GameSpot
    80
    God Hand's pure focus on ridiculous martial arts brawls makes this simple action game fun and challenging. Bonus points for the wild sense of humor and surf rock soundtrack.
  12. 1UP
    80
    Yes, other brawlers may perfectly replicate the real-life trajectory of a fist making its way to a face. But God Hand takes you back to those days when you were a little kid in Chuck E. Cheese's. And that's far more satisfying -- and impressive.
  13. GamesRadar+
    80
    Many will dismiss its satire as meaningless vulgarity, and fail to appreciate the intricate and satisfying ass-kicking. But for those able to dig it, God Hand is an excellent old-school game in a bizarre, new-school shell.
  14. TotalPlayStation
    80
    Old-school to it's core, God Hand isn't perfect, nor is it the kind of game that will please everyone, but buy into the world and the characters, dig into the combo system and enjoy the quirky humor here and you're bound to have a good time.
  15. NTSC-uk
    80
    Here's hoping for a censorship-free translation to the US and PAL territories. Bravo Clover!
  16. Cheat Code Central
    80
    The average gamer will probably tire with the gameplay after a few hours while the hardcore will rise to the challenge. It can get really tough, don’t kid yourself.
  17. Yahoo!
    80
    But you won't be getting this game for the advanced graphics engine. Instead, you'll be getting it for the fact that during one early battle, someone sticks a piece of paper on your character's back that says 'Kick my ass'.
  18. PSM Magazine
    80
    So, yes, the controls can be problematic, and, yes, the game doesn't look all that hot, but God Hand is also fun and funny, and it's really these latter two factors that make the game well worth playing. [Dec. 2006, p.76]
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  19. G4 TV
    80
    It was my intention to give this game 3 out five, but we couldn’t put it down, despite its flaws, we had to see what was around the next corner, and that makes it 4 in our world.
  20. Thunderbolt
    80
    God Hand is one of those games that will either leave you shaking your head in disappointment or practically drooling for more. It functions superbly as a beat’em up game, and it possesses the some of the charm that games like "Final Fight" and "River City Ransom" used to enjoy.
  21. DarkStation
    80
    Capcom shows us how it's done with this refreshing take on the beam 'em up genre. Awesome boss battles, simple but deep combat system and tough enemy AI makes this a clear choice.
  22. Eurogamer
    80
    It's really, really good gaming, assuming you don't let the game push you around like a playful big brother with little a superiority complex. God Hand just wants to have fun. And so do we.
  23. VideoGamer
    80
    It's far from perfect and more annoying than accidentally ramming your already-bleeding knuckles against a table edge that's been smeared with salt and vinegar, but it's the kind of pain that probably turns people into fetishists. It might be wrong, but on this occasion it feels oh so right.
  24. PALGN
    80
    For doing what it does confidently and without delusions of grandeur in multiple aspects of gaming, God Hand deserves a whole bunch of credit. Very playable, very fun.
  25. Total Video Games
    80
    On the wider scale of things, it's perhaps not the most original title. That said, with additions like the expansive combat techniques and God Roulette, there's enough to keep it feeling fresh at times.
  26. GameBrink
    79
    The sound is truly what sets it apart from the rest. From the crazy background sounds you get after some Techniques, to the insanely hilarious dialogue you get in cutscenes, the sound is what kept me going until the end. [JPN Import]
  27. GamerNode
    79
    God Hand's high level of difficulty and disappointing lack of technical innovation places it in the love it or hate it category. One thing's for sure though: it definitely should not be overlooked.
  28. Games Master UK
    75
    A romp of a game that delivers high levels of violence and risque humor by the bucket. [Feb 2007, p.73]
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  29. Play.tm
    75
    God Hand will be shunned by a lot of people who'll cite the poor graphics, alarmingly retro game design and what appears on the surface simplistic combat. But for the select few who 'get it' and have a soft spot for such things or are willing to take a chance God Hand will be loved unashamedly and held up as an example of what can be made of an aging genre when refined to its purest form by skilled developers.

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Best PS2 Game of 2006
6
#6 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
1
#1 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
9.2

Universal acclaim- based on 796 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 731 out of 796
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 796
  3. Negative: 48 out of 796
  1. Qualityfinder
    Oct 4, 2012
    10
    Best beat em up game ever made. The best game Capcom ever had and it wont get another one like this cause they let go of the best game devsBest beat em up game ever made. The best game Capcom ever had and it wont get another one like this cause they let go of the best game devs that ever existed. The game is pure fun with solid soild gameplay.… Full Review »
  2. mon-tee
    May 22, 2011
    10
    As far as brawlers go, this takes the cake, possibly forever. TOO over the top you say! It's a video game. There's no such thing as TOO overAs far as brawlers go, this takes the cake, possibly forever. TOO over the top you say! It's a video game. There's no such thing as TOO over the top. You want to kick a demon in the groin, go ahead. Maybe you would like to barrel kick a group of thugs, no one's stopping you. This game sets the bar for brawlers. I am glad some game developers realize games are supposed to be fun. Pick this gem up before it's gone forever.… Full Review »
  3. Azel
    Jan 15, 2013
    10
    What a fantastic game. Here's a quick run down of what's so great. 100% customizable move set. Great dodging system where you get up closeWhat a fantastic game. Here's a quick run down of what's so great. 100% customizable move set. Great dodging system where you get up close and must deal with individual attacks, then get back on the offensive. All animations can be cancelled, making the combat smooth - cancel when you miss, cancel when you hit and want to interrupt your own attack with another - and cancel when you are hit yourself, so you get back to your ready stance. Brilliant! Dynamic difficulty - the better you are, the harder the game gets, and if you are struggling, it gets a bit easier. That way, everybody is challenged by this game, it just gets harder and harder! Great variety of enemies and enemy attacks - all fair, with wind up animations and audio cues, so it's always fair. Beat the game, and unlock all moves in the shop for your game+ as well as some totally new ones for your 2nd play through. Also bonus costumes, and 50 unique challenges to beat. Great comedy and enemy design, funny dialogue, lots of game references, and really catchy music. Pretty much the best game on the PS2, and still stands up today. Get it!… Full Review »
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