David Douillet Judo

David Douillet Judo is one of the few simulators dedicated to the sport of judo, and the first of its kind. The game is named after the famous French wrestler, multiple world champion and Olympic medalist in the heavyweight category, and his character and perseverance have become a kind of guideline for mechanics: the fight is not built on spectacular jumps, but on grabs, jerks and the ability to unbalance the opponent. The fight takes place on the tatami according to the rules of this sport: you need to take a hold, seize the moment and carry out a throw, hold or painful hold. The opponent’s resistance is felt as physical: it’s easy to lose a position, but difficult to win back, so you have to watch your stamina and not waste energy on pointless attempts. In addition to fights, training sessions are available that explain how to work with grabs and throws, as well as competitions and tournaments, including the Olympic format. Opponents differ in weight, style and strength, so you have to select tactics for each. It’s worth mentioning separately about the presentation of the fights: announcements, lighting in the hall and analysis of the episodes are carried out according to the canons of real competitions. Music and the sound of falling on the tatami add seriousness to what is happening, and difficulty settings allow you to choose a worthy opponent. For a sport that has barely made it into games, this is a rare and respectful example. The project was created by a small Belgian team, and this is noticeable in the graphics, but the niche sport is conveyed here respectfully, without arcade simplifications. For those who were looking for at least one game about judo, this is a rare find.