Official Website

Platform: PlayStation 2

Genre: Action

Number of Players: 1

There seem to be more and more games recently that are focused on the Feudal Era of Japan's history, though there have been some very creative changes made. That makes for a good video game of course, but it's not quite authentic, but then again, that would be a little boring, wouldn't it? The days of the samurai are coming back onto the PlayStation 2 once again, and this time Sony and developer Game Republic are behind the magic in Genji: Dawn of the Samurai.

Violence and brutality have become a way of life, especially for those that are members of powerful clans led by powerful warlords. The Heishi clan has now become the single most powerful samurai clan in Japan after they defeated the army of Yoriomo Minamoto, but there are those that are against the rule of the Heishi. Yoshitsune Minamoto, the song of Yoriomo, is unaware of what became of his father, but he alone may hold the power to put an end to the Heishi Clan.

Yoshitsune has recently found a powerful artifact, the Amahagane, though he's not aware of it's true power. The Heishi however want the item back, but Yoshitsune soon finds there are others sympathetic to his cause. Kichi Hogen is willing to aid the young man, as is Gozen Shizuka, a young mystic with the power to combine the Amahagane into a more powerful item, something that the Heishi lacks. Benkei Musashibo, a powerful monk that is also opposed to the rule of the Heishi, also joins Yoshitsune on his journey and together the two set out on a quest to learn the true power of the Amahagme and put the rule of the Heishi at an end once and for all . . . . if they survive that is.

I'm going to be upfront about a few things with Genji. To being with, the game plays a lot like Onimusha, but it's a heck of a lot cooler. Another very important thing that I want to bring up in the beginning is that like the original Onimusha, Genji is presented in Japanese and if you're not into reading subtitles, you're probably not going to like this game as there is no option (at least none that I found) to change the dialog into English. However, I will also bring up the point that Genji is set in Japan, and having the game available only in that language is much more authentic. It gives a much better flavor to what is presented, and really, it is the only way that Genji should have been made available in the first place.

Genji though isn't just some hack-n-slash action title with very little sustenance, and it's really comparable to being an action RPG. You'll be doing battle with dark and evil forces, make no mistake about that, but you'll also gain experience and gold, as well as items, while doing it. Through the course of the game you will control two different characters, Yoshitsune being the main character. Armed with two swords, the young samurai is capable of some deadly moves, but he and Benkai both have their advantages and disadvantages.

The basic form of combat is the same for both characters. You have normal and special attacks, but what I really love about the combat set up is that you aren't necessarily restricted to one direction. At any point during battle you can change direction, taking on Heishi foes with kicks and weapons. Even better though, let's say you have an enemy attacking you, and you hit your normal attack button at just the right time; this will launch a deadly counter attack, often times taking out multiple enemies. You can also chain together normal and special attacks, and each hit will help to build up your combos. What this allows is more experience points, so trying to keep attacks going and not getting hit is really the key to success in battle. Both characters can also jump (though Yoshitsune is much better at it) and this can be combined into your attack.

Our heroes also have the power of kamui, something granted to them by the Amahagane. Using kamaui slows down time, making it easier to avoid enemy attacks and get in more combo shots. As you find more Amahagane, you will be able to perform longer slowed attacks, although you should note that Yoshitsune has more kamui available than Benkai, and you will also need the assistance of Shizuka to joins the orbs together. Over time, you kamui will being to accumulate for you to use it again, so it's usage is never too far away.

As Yoshitsune, you will find that not only does he attack quicker, but he's more agile, he can jump up to higher areas, and he's much better at dodging attacks. However, you will need Benkai as well. He has a longer and much more deadly reach with his club, giving him the ability to not only take out opponents quickly, but he can slay multiple enemies with little difficulty. His brute strength also makes him the perfect person to break obstacles that block your way, but he's quite a bit slower. Some stages will have him present, allowing you to go back to him at any point and change characters while other times you will need to return to your current home in order to make the appropriate switch.

Both characters also have the ability to equip new weapons and armor. Some of these will be found in the various stages while others can be purchased or even created if you have the right materials. The pair can also use accessories that give you immunity to some status aliments or help to improve attack or defensive power. You also will find Amahagame essence and three of these once found can be used to increase health, attack, or defense. To find them, simply watch for your Amahagame to light up and feel for the controller vibration. Once you're in the right area, simply attack and you may reveal another part of the essence. There are a number of items that can be used as well to heal or grant protection, and I really love the set up for these. They can be assigned to your D-pad in all four directions, so it can make things much easier, and faster, than having to pause and scroll down to the right item in the middle of battle.

The gameplay itself really is a great deal like Onimusha. You have areas that give you a designated area to move in, so it's not free flowing, but if it were I feel that it really would take away from the game. Genji has some beautiful graphics in the background, and even the foregrounds at times. As the game begins, it's spring, and there are a number of cherry blossoms (or sakuraa) blowing the wind in the some of the areas. I also enjoy the fact that slashing an enemy not only releases a spray of blood that can stain the earth or walls, but you will sometimes see enemies stumble backwards, throwing them off balance temporarily. The scenery however can throw off your viewing of this at times. For waterfalls to picturesque pagoda's, Genji truly is a masterpiece of unparalleled visual proportions.

If I have a complaint about the game though, it's that it's too short. The story became very captivating for me and after a little over 6 hours, I found that I was nearly at the end, though as I'm writing this, the final boss is giving me some major problems. Luckily those some of those save icons give you the means to teleport out of an area so you can buy more items, and this is a major help. However, I also want to point out that there is an option to continue on, and you will find one room in the game that specifically instructs you to return after completing to be transported to a different world. Genji again compares to the original Onimusha because of the short length of the game, making it feel almost as if it's a test to see how well people like the concept. Hopefully if there were another game it will be much longer, something that I don't doubt as if there is a sequel, I would assume that it would be released on the PS3.

Though it's short, I really can't say that's a reason to not get this game. Genji is beautiful to look at, intriguing to follow, and incredibly fun to play. There are a lot of games that I lose interest in after three hours or so, but not in this case. Like a good RPG, Genji will take you deep into its stunning world and immerse you in a Feudal Era game unlike any other. I know that I'm not going to be the only one who wants to see more of this series in the future, and Genji is going to be one of the action games on every gamers list this holiday season.

-mike-