New players in Manga Fighter must select between six playable characters, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Remarkably for a shooter, the characters vary significantly in such basic attributes as movement speed, max HP, and strength. For example, players can select a large, powerful but slow teddy bear or a small, nimble young girl as their avatar. Character creation is followed by a 4 step tutorial which is well worth doing since the rewards for completion are significant.

Once players complete the tutorial they are taken to the game lobby where they may either join or create a game. There are four game modes in Manga Fighter, the two simpler ones include Death Match and Team Death Match. The third game mode is labeled ‘protect essence’ in which players must pick up and hold a crystal for the longest amount of time. The forth mode is called ‘VIP’ in which two teams must kill the opposing team’s VIP. These two specialty modes are rarely played since Death Match is much more accessible. Manga Fighter does allow players to join games that are already in progress which makes finding games much easier.

There are four weapon types in Manga Fighter, melee, gun, launcher, and throwing. (grenades) Players may have one of each type equipped at a time. Besides weapons, each player has 4 “skill card” slots which act as spells that can be activated by getting kills and filling the skill bar. There are a wide variety of card effects, for example some increase attack speed while others invert your opponent’s controls temporarily. Being a free to play game supported with a cash shop, it goes without saying that the best weapons and skill cards are only available via the cash shop. Most items have level requirements and since leveling takes a very long time, the grind is much harder in Manga Fighter than in GunZ. The community is rather small, there is a Beginner’s and a Free channel. The Beginner’s channel is almost completely barren which means new players will often end up playing against opponents far better armed and experienced then themselves, which makes the game very frustrating. With so many better free shooting games available, its difficult to recommend Manga Fighter. If you’re a young gamer who is put off with the more realistic graphics in most shooters or if you’re looking for something simpler and slower paced give Manga Fighter a try, otherwise stay away.