The Mark of Kri

The complexity of the fighting system changes depending upon the number of opponents that you’ve "targeted." For example, against one opponent you have access to all of the combos that can be unleashed, but as soon as you target a second opponent more than half of your striking combos cannot be completed; and a third eliminates all but the most rudimentary combos (but then again you have more important things to worry about besides looking suave, right?). The aforementioned combos represent not only a different way to eviscerate your opponents, they represent a way to circumvent blocks (i.e. an opponent is using a high-guard blocking stance, but a low swinging combo will stun him and open him up to a beating). Your own blocks on the other hand are impermeable, but during some of the conflicts… you’re still going to get nicked frequently no matter how quick you are at defending yourself. The only complaint about the fighting system is the repetition that quickly develops – once you learn the 10 or so ways to kill an opponent (multiply this annoyance by about a hundred once you learn to stealth-kill people) you’re going to become REALLY intimate with those animations.

6 opponents respectively.) Aiding Rau is his spirit guide Kuzo, who can scout ahead and help by picking up certain objects or opening new areas of a level. He quickly becomes invaluable in planning engagements. Once you begin opening and playing in the arenas, you earn the opportunity to use different outfits, some of which may not inspire additional fear in your opponents but will certainly get you in the mood for some pillaging in China.

The game centers around the Inn. This is where Rau learns about his next mission, receives additional training (absolutely vital once a new skill is taught or weapon received), or visits the shaman (he’s the repository for cheats, movies, arena battles, and the opportunity to revisit old levels looking for things you missed). The in-game action depends upon the gamer; MoK can be played in almost any manner: an idiot who charges into every battle, a would-be ninja obsessed with skulking around corners and the silent kill, or a combination of the two techniques for the balanced attack. For a game touted as a combat-oriented action experience, I must admit surprise – almost the entire game could be played only resorting to stealth-kills. (This definitely won’t appeal to those looking only for a hack-and-slash game… although the game could potentially be played in this manner, I certainly wouldn’t recommend it.)

The game itself looks and sounds above average; although it is not the most spectacular game I’ve seen in recent months, it certainly isn’t the worst game either. The computer AI is one of the more erratic that I’ve seen since the days of the Nintendo Entertainment System – one moment the enemies are disturbingly dangerous, taking turns attacking you such that you can’t mount a decent offense and the next moment they are standing around like idiots while one of their friends was either dragged away and killed or punctured with an arrow.

Re-enacting sample guard banter:

"Gee Phil, where’s Ted?"

"I don’t know Rob… maybe he’s getting lucky with a cheerleader by Crystal Lake?"

"You mean after he broke a mirror over that black cat that crossed his path?... Phil?.... Phil?... Now who the hell are you and why are you advancing upon me with a sword?"

MoK’s AI swings between moments of brilliance and shear stupidity like a pendulum. The difficulty and game length make this game one of the shortest adventure games in recent memory – I was able to defeat the title in a little over 20 hours of game play. A more motivated gamer should be able to beat it in less time.

All in all, you end up with an interesting title that the advanced gamer may want to rent instead of buy.

- Tazman

It's like a party in my mouth, and everyone is throwing up

               - Fry (Futurama)