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Genji PS2 Review - wwww.impulsegamer.com -

Gameplay 8.1
Graphics 8.2
Sound 8.1
Value 8.2
Distributor: Sony
Classification:
M15+
Review Date:
January 2005
Reviewer:
James Knight

8.1


Genji

Sony's Genji’s mythology revolves around the Amahagane, magical stones that grant their bearer the power of Kamui. When activated, this power allows the warrior to see through enemy attacks and counter it with stylish, lethal force. The Heishi clan defeated the Genji family through the use of these stones and have since become brutal rulers of their surrounding territories.

As Yoshitsune, son of the late Genji general in the Heishi war, your quest is to fulfill your destiny by finishing the job your father started. Armed with your own Amahagane, you must take down each Heishi general and fuse their Amahagane with yours in order to overthrow the ruthless Heishi clan.

The gameplay of Genji’s control is rather easy to pick up that involves quick melee attacks, combos and jumping attacks. A special meter charges up as you combo your way through enemies and when you trigger Kamui, every enemy in the area backs up, regroups, then attacks.

Time is slowed down during this period, and if you time it correctly, you’ll slice through either a group of them or one after the next in cinematic satisfaction - much like God of War’s cinematic kills with a focus on timing rather than button sequences. If the timing window is too brief, you can use that extra special meter to slow time even further. The whole thing works well and really gives a sharper edge to the combat.

After a few battles, Yoshitsune will run into another proud member of the fallen Genji family, Benkei, a seven-foot tall monk who wields monstrous clubs and spears. Playing as either character, you’ll rush through feudal Japan owning enemy thugs, waxing bosses, and grabbing power-ups and items in traditional third-person action game fare. Though the template is familiar, the action keeps from being stale by the variation of their opposed, though equally rewarding, play styles. Yoshitsune is up-close, fast and tight, while Benkei is a far-reaching tank with charged attacks.

Graphically, Genji contains a ton of detail that includes beautiful ingame graphics, cinematics and awesome texture details on all the characters. A run through pristine, lush gardens surrounding a tranquil waterfall is so pretty, you’ll want to slow down just to check it out. Then, when those pre-set enemy encounters crop up, the war drums will beat and it’s time to rip through with a solid framerate and unequivocal elegance.

Genji pleasantly sticks with the original Japanese voice-acting. Subtitles drive the plot, a much better choice than investing in some two-bit English voice actor losing himself in translation. The music is authentic to the era and culture, is very well composed, and will make your worst Tai Chi impressions have some air of legitimacy. It’s so soothingly ambient that just leaving it on in the background will make you want to use chopsticks on your Fruity Pebbles.

In conclusion Genji is an entertaining game from Sony Entertainment that is filled with an epic story, beautiful graphics and a rather adept gameplay option that will make most gamers play this title at least twice, check it out!







 
 



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