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Current-Generation releases from the NAMCO BANDAI stable
presently arrive on European shop shelves under a distribution
agreement with ATARI. As with
 many
other titles, such as the forthcoming Tekken 6 and
Katamari Forever, ATARI will find these titles backing-up their
own release schedule and becoming a steady flow in the latter end of
2009, but can this support provide more than just additional
coverage on the shop shelf? This release, Afro Samurai, may
well be considered by many to do little to compliment ATARI’s own
The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena and Race Pro, but
there’s an established, avid fanbase out there to please, and with
the involvement of members of the original team behind the
television series, it would undoubtedly be disappointing to many if
the title turned-out to be little more than the generic licensed
Action/Adventure videogames that we’re all so familiar with.
Afro Samurai doesn’t start too convincingly. The
first level introduces the player to the combat system and some
basic puzzles, as well as the predictable collectables and
experience system. The combat is fluid and designed well to
compliment the eccentric nature of the television
show. The X and Y Buttons represent light and heavy attacks
respectively, and the B Button can execute a quick kick. Combos are
available - and of increasing quantity and quality – with
traditional videogame timing, and while holding the L Trigger the
player can enter Focus Mode and perform powerful Vertical or
Horizontal Slices with the X or Y Button. Holding the corresponding
button whilst in Focus Mode will allow for the even more powerful
Perfect Slice variant, which will quickly cut through many of the
basic enemy troop types; quite literally, in-fact.
The level design quickly increases in scope, delivering
twisting paths and Devil May Cry-inspired backtracking after
opening new routes. At first the repetition seems almost as if
designed to utilise few areas whilst maximising the longevity of
each level, but as the first twist in-and-out of the bamboo forest
reveals itself, the player will unquestionably recognise the wealth
of preparation that
 must
have taken place in the production of each level as to create an
such an encouraging progression system without showing the strings
holding it all together. The variety of environments – though,
obviously, based heavily on those featured in the television series
– is fantastic too. Never falling into the creatively undemanding
territory of fire and ice worlds; deserts, woods, undergrounds
layers and mansions provide a diverse backdrop for your many, many
executions.
The game does feature stand-out moments above and beyond
the possibilities inherent with the level design – one of the best
being that which seemingly may have taken the least “designing” to
execute. A rapid descent sees you engaged in combat in 360º,
complete with your full repertoire of manoeuvres. For all the
comfortable exploration present within the majority of the game,
sky-diving combat is a pervasive thrill.
Afro Samurai’s visual quality lies in that of its
accentuated character animation. Not just relative weight in a
universe with believable rules (or, at least, a tangible enough
presentation to allow for suspension of disbelief) or facial
expressions; each and every storyline character behaves with a
personal grace. With much of the game’s signposting reliant on your
equally animated pendant, occasional issues arrive in
 determining
when your Focus Mode has recharged or which attacks are gaining you
experience, but the fact that this small error needs to be
highlighted simply demonstrates the strength of the rest of the
production. Samuel Jackson is, of course, faultless in his role as
the lucid voice-of-reason Ninja Ninja and RZA’s accompanying
soundtrack is inspired for such a game, excelling far above what
would be expected.
With a distinct market already targeted, Afro Samurai
was almost certainly destined to perform well at retail. That it
performs well in-play also, is simply the product of a love of the
source material – a love that will be shared with those who purchase
the game. There is enough substance within the game to warrant more
than a second look, and turning the tables on what is expected of a
mid-budget licensed released. Afro Samurai is a wonderful
accompaniment to the television series and motion-picture, but more
than this, it’s a good videogame in it’s own right. |
