Platform: PlayStation
2 Genre: Action Publisher: SCEA Developer: Game Republic ETA: TBA
Genji:
Dawn of the Samurai
Hands-On
Update
(August
24, 2005)
A
while back, Sony announced a new action game taking place in ancient
Japan called Genji: Dawn of the Samurai.It focuses on two of Japanese history’s more popular figures,
the samurai Yoshitsune Minamoto, and his faithful companion Benkei.Recently we got our grubby little mitts on a demo of the US
version of the game, due out this fall, and had a chance to take it for
a test drive.
Right
from the moment the first stage of the game loads up, it becomes
abundantly obvious that this is quite the pretty game.The environments are amazing with their use of lush colors,
light, and the smoothness of the animation.There was one area where Yoshitsune had to run through a
partially wooded area, with a babbling brook, and a tiny waterfall
nearby, all while fending off enemy samurai, and the view was
incredible.It’s funny,
we keep on hearing about how the next generation of consoles is just
around the corner, and meanwhile companies like Sony are releasing games
along the lines of Genji that push current technology further than ever.Game Republic, the company developing this game, is really doing
a great job on the visual front with Genji.
But
Genji: Dawn of the Samurai isn’t just a pretty face, the game
is fun too.On a basic
level, the game is similar to what one may find in the Onimusha series,
in terms of running around and chopping down samurai.However, in this game, players will find themselves taking on
quite a few more enemies at once than what can be found in Capcom’s
series.On top of this, the
combat is very fluid, as players strike down one bad guy after the next.There were a number of occasions where I found myself getting
mobbed by three or more enemies at a time, and not once did I feel like
I had to fight with the controller in order to maneuver around to get
those samurai off my back.The attacks themselves are being kept simple to perform, as
the game favors single-button commands in combat, as well as being able
to block attacks for a short period of time when under pressure, making
it a very accessible action game.As
a sort of special move, players will also have the ability to slow down
fights from time to time, allowing one to predict enemies’ attacks.I didn’t find that this skill was needed during standard
fights, but it did come in handy while fighting the boss in the demo.
Strategy
will change in the game will, though, depending on which of the two main
characters the player is using.Yoshitsune
is all about finesse, as he delicately slices down enemies with his
sword.Meanwhile, Benkei
takes the brute force approach, smashing through huge swaths of enemies
with his massive club.That
in mind, the two characters bring extremely different play styles to the
table.This helped to keep
the game interesting while playing the demo since it prevented Genji
from feeling like a mindless exercise in slashing up bad guys.Those with an eye for character customization may also get a kick
out of slowly enhancing Yoshitusne and Benkei’s stats over the course
of the game.One can
increase their hit points, attack, and defense, helping to tailor their
skills to one’s play style.
For
those who are history buffs, Genji: Dawn of the Samurai takes
place during the end of the twelfth century, during the Genpei War.This war marked the end of the Heian Era (a golden age in
Japanese history), where two of the most prominent clans in the country
clashed, the Genji and the Heishi (sometimes also known as the Miyamoto,
and Taira respectively).Yoshitsune
and Benkei fought on the side of the Genji, and players will follow the
two on their adventures throughout ancient Japan.While the game does have quite a bit of historical goodness being
pumped into it, with the title’s designers referencing the novel
“The Tales of Genji” as source material in developing the look and
feel of the game, there is also a steady dose of the fantastical, with
the game’s anime style character design, and sprinkling of mythical
monsters to fight.
From
what I was able to see of this game in the demo, Genji: Dawn of the
Samurai appears to be shaping up quite nicely for its North American
release.The biggest thing
that the game has going for it is its one-two punch of fluid combat and
great visuals.Once we’ve
had a chance to play the final version of the game, we’ll be sure to
give the final verdict as to whether or not the retail game is as
impressive as this demo.
Mr.
Nash
Towards
the end of the Heian Period in Japan (794-1185AD), the emperor had
passed away, the noble class didn’t possess the power that it once
did, and the country was looking at a very serious power vacuum.With the throne vacant, two powerful clans clashed in an attempt
to seize control of Japan: the Genji, and the Heishi.Now, SCEA and Game Republic is revisiting this era in Japanese history with a
new action game for the PlayStation 2 called Genji: Dawn of the
Samurai.
Going
for a more straightforward, sword-swinging, action-oriented romp, Genji
will have players controlling Genkuro Yoshitsune, as well as his friend
Benkei (two of the most noted heroes of this conflict who fought for the
Genji clan), as they work to bring the Genji clan to power.
Citing
films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Game Republic claims that the combat
in Genji: Dawn of the Samurai will have a very high aesthetic as the swords are flying.This was already tried in Bujingai: The Forsaken City by Red
Entertainment a few years ago, and the fluid style of fighting that
resulted worked quite well, so hopefully Game Republic will be able to do at
least as well with Genji.While the moves will be fluid, it would also appear
that
there
will be a high degree of simplicity in pulling them off, as the game
works on a premise similar to that found in the Dynasty Warrior games,
where pushing on the same button repeatedly will result in a more and
more detailed combo.
Going
hand-in-hand with the combat will be the ability to gradually improve
Yoshitsune and Benkei, as they can level up as the game progresses.On top of this, players will be able to accumulate a number of
weapons, items, and so forth as they make their way through the game.
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Genji:
Dawn of the Samurai marks the first game by Yoshiki Okamoto with his new company, Game
Republic.The turbulent
times during the waning of the Heian era mark a period of great
conflict, as well as great heroism in Japan’s history.It’s surprising that no one has gone to such lengths to make a
game based upon it yet.Considering
that the game is inspired by Tale of Genji, one of the world's first
novels, and regarded by scholars as one of the greatest sources of
insights into court life in Heian Japan, it certainly appears that the
game is going for a reasonable degree of historical accuracy as well.
Hopefully, Genji: Dawn of the Samurai will do the period justice.
Mr.
Nash
(April
26, 2005)
Game
Features:
- Intense 3D action-adventure gameplay based on authentic swordplay, motion-captured movements and precise enemies.
- Robust Enhancement System: Extensive weapon, armor, and attribute upgrade system allows you to enhance your character’s strength, defense and health.
- Two playable characters, each with his own fighting style, upgradeable weaponry and character development.
- Battle mythical enemies and fantastical creatures armed with deadly weapons and magical powers.
- Levels: 30 missions across elegantly styled environments of feudal Japan. Breath-taking environments reflect seasonal changes and authentic Japanese architecture.
- Authentic swordplay and motion-capture: Executed by Japan’s leading swordfight composer and Ken Watanabe’s stunt double in “The Last Samurai.”
- Over one hour of rich cinematics developed by industry pioneers tell a dramatic storyline of revenge.
- Inspired by the literary masterpiece, Tale of Genji: Written in 11th century Japan and widely regarded as the world’s first novel.
