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Talen
Capellan Confederation
Sang-shao
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1269
Location: United States
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 Posted: 03-Jun-2002 19:15 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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Okay, so I bought this game on 75% blind impulse. I read 3 player reviews on GameFAQs, each giving it a score of 10/10. Now...normally i think most people are idiots and i dont like their opinions, espicially when it comes to video games. But in this case I was wonderfully wodnerfully suprised....
Background:
In the late 19th Century the Tokugawa family finally lost its control of Japan, ending the fuedal period. Where the Samurai had once been of the most honored class of people in Japan, they were now simply in the way...much like at the same time in the Western United States the classic "Cowboy" was begining to lose their status. Hundreds of once proud warriors now had no master to serve, and instead went their own ways....
This brings in our hero...a Samurai looking for a way to make a life in the every changing world in Japan.
Graphics: Easily one of the most beautiful games ever. The game consists of about 9 zones, each pretty expansive and explorable. The character models are very detailed...but not so much it would slow the game down. During one scene there were 10 guys in the biggest area of the game, and there was no framerate hit at all. Very impressive. The models are not quite as detailed as those from "Kengo: Master of Bushido" but close. The scenary also looks very nice, espicially at sunset.
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: This game is not a "talkie" but it keeps a certain feel to it that reminds me of older FF games. Text appears in bubbles appearing from the Speakers mouths. The music is INCREDIBLE. Asian themes mixed with modern music and classical guitar stuff. I could just sit and listen to it forever. Its Dynamicx too...start a fight and the music picks up. When the action is done, it calms back down. SFX are decent, from the grunts of the dying to the "clang" of the Katanas.
Sound: 8/10
Story: Very interesting here. I wont give you any spoilers at all, but this is how it works. Whenever you come upon other people, you have choices to make to wheter you keep walking, get involved, etc. Each decesion affects the story...kind of like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" thing. You dont have to stick to the code of Bushi either. You can be as good, or as rotten, as you'd like to be. Thats what makes it so cool...
Gameplay: This is what makes you want to buy the game. I'll brake this into 2 parts...World and Combat
World: Walking around is easy as pressing a button. You face somewhere, and you head that way, very simple. Each "area" has at least one exit, so you walk that way, and it takes you to the next area. Quite simple, really. When people want to talk to you, you can ignore them or engage in conversation with a button press.
Combat: Okay, basically this game is wonderful to fight in. When you face someone they are always targeted and your attacks always go right for them, so you dont have to manuever around to try and catch them properly. 2 types of attacks, light and hard. Light attacks are fast and do little damage, but string together for combos. The hard attacks will do more damage and possibly knock them down. How you attack depends on your style and the opponent. Blocking can only be broken by using a light attack and pushing them, but it leaves them open for a hard attack. it is much simpler than it sounded to me at first...i give it a 10 minute learning curve...then extra time to become a master. When facing multiple opponents...you only attack one at a time. They will surround you, but they wont attack, making your life a lot simpler. When one enemy is dispatched, the "target" switches, andf thats who you will attack next. Now, you can still hit other enemies even though one is targeted, if they are close enough. I am not sure if this hurts them or not. I'd assume not, really. You can accidentally hit allies...but thats a risk you have to take.
Attacks are based on the sword you are using. Every sword is different and has it own specialties and stances. One sword can add 300% health, but be impposbile to fight with, while another may lower your defense, but allow you to make blindingly fast attacks....Kill people to take their swords...its that easy. The Blacksmith will updgrade the sword for you, for a price...
Gameplay: 10/10
Extra:
The game is replayable up the ass. My ending was #5, so there are at least 5 endings, probably more. There are tons of unlockable things...new costumes, swords, characters for battle mode, and of course...the endings.
Replayability: 10/10
Battle mode: Is basically a fighting game...essential it is "Kengo" or "Bushido Blade" with the wonderful contols of the normal game. You have to "beat" the game to unlock it...so expcect 2 hours before you unlock it.
2 Player: 8/10
Final Thoughts....if you like Samurai or Samurai games, this is a MUST HAVE! Plain and simple...you wont be dissapointed any time soon.
Overall Score: 10/10 (Not an Average)
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"Historians exercise great power and some of them know it. They recreate the past, changing it to fit their own interpretations. Thus, they change the future as well." - Leto II
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chihawk
Clan Blood Spirit
Master Bartender
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
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Location: United States
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| Posted: 03-Jun-2002 20:24 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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How can a game that is all about fighting get a 10/10 in roleplaying?
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Talen
Capellan Confederation
Sang-shao
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1269
Location: United States
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| Posted: 03-Jun-2002 20:57 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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Its not all about fighting...the choices you make define what goes on.
One time I can help a girl being kidnapped, and that opens up Story possibility 1-3, but the next time around i wont help her, and that opens up Stories 4-6. But later down the line, something may happen and I might get switched from Story #1 to story number 6.
There is a huge story here, and what you do changes the outcome.
_________________
"Historians exercise great power and some of them know it. They recreate the past, changing it to fit their own interpretations. Thus, they change the future as well." - Leto II
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Talen
Capellan Confederation
Sang-shao
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1269
Location: United States
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| Posted: 03-Jun-2002 20:58 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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And where did I say roleplaying?
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"Historians exercise great power and some of them know it. They recreate the past, changing it to fit their own interpretations. Thus, they change the future as well." - Leto II
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chihawk
Clan Blood Spirit
Master Bartender
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
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Location: United States
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| Posted: 03-Jun-2002 21:02 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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Oh, my bad....misread "Replayability".
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Talen
Capellan Confederation
Sang-shao
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1269
Location: United States
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| Posted: 03-Jun-2002 21:07 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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Sokay....and if you want to see a fighting game where roleplaying is good...try "Kengo"....in that game can choose which dojo to train at, and therefore which style you use. Its pretty cool....
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"Historians exercise great power and some of them know it. They recreate the past, changing it to fit their own interpretations. Thus, they change the future as well." - Leto II
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Cadet
ComStar
Lieutenant, SG
Joined: 17-Mar-2002 00:00
Posts: 495
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| Posted: 03-Jun-2002 21:12 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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Screw that...I'll take State of Emergancy. Just something about beating a cop to death with the head of another cop.
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I'm not family friendly. That's why I don't post here.
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Talen
Capellan Confederation
Sang-shao
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1269
Location: United States
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| Posted: 03-Jun-2002 22:40 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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Thats fine and dandy....but if you ever want more civilized killing, you know where to look!
_________________
"Historians exercise great power and some of them know it. They recreate the past, changing it to fit their own interpretations. Thus, they change the future as well." - Leto II
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Cadet
ComStar
Lieutenant, SG
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| Posted: 03-Jun-2002 23:43 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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I would think as a mall empolyee you would be more supportive of any game that allows you to run around a mall with a flamethrower.
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I'm not family friendly. That's why I don't post here.
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Talen
Capellan Confederation
Sang-shao
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1269
Location: United States
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| Posted: 04-Jun-2002 00:29 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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My store was in a mini-mall...so I'd support drive by shootings and running into buidings...a la Grand Theft Auto 3
_________________
"Historians exercise great power and some of them know it. They recreate the past, changing it to fit their own interpretations. Thus, they change the future as well." - Leto II
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Cadet
ComStar
Lieutenant, SG
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| Posted: 04-Jun-2002 00:34 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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I wish I could buy stock in Rockstar Games.
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I'm not family friendly. That's why I don't post here.
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Talen
Capellan Confederation
Sang-shao
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1269
Location: United States
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| Posted: 04-Jun-2002 01:26 Post subject: Talen's PS2 Game Review: Way of the Samurai (10/10) |
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Seriously...they are the only ones willing to publish these games...
And they are MAJOR sellers...
_________________
"Historians exercise great power and some of them know it. They recreate the past, changing it to fit their own interpretations. Thus, they change the future as well." - Leto II
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