"Hip hop infused action adventure" news now, with Namco Bandai announcing a Fall 2008 release window for Afro Samurai, a video game adaptation of the popular animated series starring Mr. Samuel L. Jackson. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game follows the acrobatic Afro as he seeks revenge for the murder of his father and "fights to become the number one warrior." The game will stick to the storyline established in the series, while adding material and background that's sure to be appreciated by fans.
Of course, Samuel L. Jackson returns to provide dialogue, as well as the myriad of grunts sure to emanate as he kills enemies who are "affected by the beat of the musical score produced by RZA of Wu-Tang Clan fame." Lucky them.
@Vegeta: "sorry. Afros are the most badass haircut. Samuel L. Jackson proved that in Pulp Fiction."
Too bad SLJ didn't have an afro in Pulp Fiction, he had a jheri curl wig. He was originally going to use an afro, but both he and Quentin Tarantino liked the jheri curl more.
After watching the trailer, I can definitely see potential flaws. Not-quite-next-gen graphics(looks closer to PSP or PS2 quality), bad camera, too much exploration not enough killing; but I can see positives at least. The graphic style for Afro looks good, fits the anime, and there seems to be some decently violent fight scenes. The music seems to be a plus too, despite my not being a hip-hop fan. I expect a lot of comparisons to Samurai Champloo and its game though.
The hip-hop is kinda the whole point of the show and the reason why it was so successful. It's an original blend of samurai anime and hip-hop music and style. You might say its similair to Samurai Chimpolo (although focusing less on the hip-hop and more on the classic samurai fiction architecture) Sorta like the way they fused sci-fi space and spaghetti westerns in Cowboy Bebop.
It's really just a stylistically cool anime. And with RZA from Wu-Tang and SLJ, it makes for a really good show. Check it out. It's really one of those times where there is no actual pun in involving hip-hop.
The anime wasnt all that bad but this game looks like it is a generation behind in the graphics department. I hope if this is what the final game will end up it should be made available as a download for $20 dollars.
Come to think of it, it would be really cool if they just stole the gameplay, blood and gore from a game like ninja gaiden. Then this would be the ultimate action game.
After watching the trailer, I can definitely see potential flaws. Not-quite-next-gen graphics(looks closer to PSP or PS2 quality), bad camera, too much exploration not enough killing; but I can see positives at least. The graphic style for Afro looks good, fits the anime, and there seems to be some decently violent fight scenes. The music seems to be a plus too, despite my not being a hip-hop fan. I expect a lot of comparisons to Samurai Champloo and its game though.
(Meant for this to be in its post, not a reply to the first post.)
Point the first: It's very sad when you run out of music before you run out of trailer. Perhaps consider looping. Or paying for more music. Or something.
Point the second: Why is it that with all the advances in water, cel-shading, bloom lighting, and what-have-you, we still can't seem to get a realistic effect of fire actually catching---it just sort of appears, like a decal.
{ Apr 17th 2008 at 12:30PM } 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ThePremierAssassin @ Apr 17th 2008 12:34PM
Oh God...In b4 a discussion/debate/ridiculous argument about black vs white and racism starts....
I will not be buying this game...
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 17th 2008 12:37PM
70's and 80's long hair > Afro > Short hair > Emo hair
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 17th 2008 12:38PM
...No.
sorry. Afros are the most badass haircut.
Samuel L. Jackson proved that in Pulp Fiction.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 17th 2008 12:43PM
Really... it's a hard decision...
I have currently the hair like Steve Perry in this picture (a little longer), but the afro looks cool too:
http://www.espn.go.com/i/page2/photos2/steve_perry1.jpg
http://www.foogle.biz/pulp_fiction/pulp_fiction_sam.jpg
Shmil @ Apr 17th 2008 12:45PM
@ Fernando
Don't stop believing
JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 17th 2008 1:36PM
Racism?
The Black Afro Samurai voiced by SLJ is just wrong...which is what makes is SO GODDAMN BADASS!
JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 17th 2008 1:36PM
Oh and a lol @ Fernando's haircut :)
RogueJedi86 @ Apr 17th 2008 3:12PM
@Vegeta:
"sorry. Afros are the most badass haircut. Samuel L. Jackson proved that in Pulp Fiction."
Too bad SLJ didn't have an afro in Pulp Fiction, he had a jheri curl wig. He was originally going to use an afro, but both he and Quentin Tarantino liked the jheri curl more.
RogueJedi86 @ Apr 17th 2008 3:19PM
After watching the trailer, I can definitely see potential flaws. Not-quite-next-gen graphics(looks closer to PSP or PS2 quality), bad camera, too much exploration not enough killing; but I can see positives at least. The graphic style for Afro looks good, fits the anime, and there seems to be some decently violent fight scenes. The music seems to be a plus too, despite my not being a hip-hop fan. I expect a lot of comparisons to Samurai Champloo and its game though.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 17th 2008 3:20PM
Sorry Fernando, but afros are definitely badass, especially on Asian folk. =D
Kye - Joystiq Greybeard @ Apr 17th 2008 3:55PM
Vegeta, Samuel is the coolest person on the planet.
He could have a tomahawk and it'd be cool.
bigsofty @ Apr 17th 2008 4:37PM
Agreed.
bigsofty @ Apr 17th 2008 4:38PM
This game will suck ass, as does the series...
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 17th 2008 12:35PM
Nice?
Ninjakamster @ Apr 17th 2008 12:35PM
OMG a black samurai? That is so exotic!
Batzarro(A.K.A Rap-Rock Cameo) @ Apr 17th 2008 7:11PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasuke
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 17th 2008 12:37PM
I do like the style of the game, but the actual gameplay looks a bit mehish. I might at least rent it since I'm a huge fan of the show.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 17th 2008 3:21PM
Agreed.
Rubix42 @ Apr 17th 2008 12:37PM
Day one purchase, Afro Samurai is surely the best anime I've seen in years.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 17th 2008 12:38PM
agreed. It was damn good.
Boss Tempo @ Apr 17th 2008 1:19PM
Totally.
Ephorus @ Apr 17th 2008 12:38PM
Looks beautiful, visually. However, it looks as if gameplay was a low priority.
Hopefully they fix that by the fall, though I somehow doubt it.
Bleu @ Apr 17th 2008 12:39PM
what the hell is this???
Badboy1979 @ Apr 17th 2008 12:45PM
http://www.afrosamurai.com/
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 17th 2008 12:49PM
Afro Samurai
Go watch it now.
Bleu @ Apr 17th 2008 12:54PM
thanks! The character reminds me of undercover brother.
Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 17th 2008 3:17PM
Watch it again.
Worst Review Ever @ Apr 17th 2008 12:51PM
You lost me at "hip hop infused action adventure".
ZenGaijin @ Apr 17th 2008 12:52PM
Come on, stop with the horrible puns. Does the game that stars a Black character have to always have some reference to Hip-hop?
DOWN WITH PUNS, DOWN WITH PUNS
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 17th 2008 12:53PM
ummm in this case..yeah. Since hip-hop is very apparent in the dialogue and the music.
ZenGaijin @ Apr 17th 2008 1:05PM
I don't know if its just my dislike of puns because they are never clever, or thought provoking, they are just uber lame.
IT seems to easy to make a hip-hop pun based solely on the fact that the game has RZA doing the music.
If your going to use a pun (which I wish everyone wouldn't why not take the samurai theme and run with that?
Boss Tempo @ Apr 17th 2008 1:25PM
The hip-hop is kinda the whole point of the show and the reason why it was so successful. It's an original blend of samurai anime and hip-hop music and style. You might say its similair to Samurai Chimpolo (although focusing less on the hip-hop and more on the classic samurai fiction architecture) Sorta like the way they fused sci-fi space and spaghetti westerns in Cowboy Bebop.
If you can dig that...
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Apr 17th 2008 1:25PM
Also based on the fact that the game has an actual hip hop soundtrack and is described by the publisher as a "hip hop infused action adventure."
ZenGaijin @ Apr 17th 2008 1:31PM
I don't know I was into Cowboy Bebop because of it style and presentation. So I guess I can understand to trying to appeal to that on that level.
Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 17th 2008 3:23PM
It's really just a stylistically cool anime. And with RZA from Wu-Tang and SLJ, it makes for a really good show. Check it out. It's really one of those times where there is no actual pun in involving hip-hop.
Shimrra @ Apr 17th 2008 12:53PM
The anime wasnt all that bad but this game looks like it is a generation behind in the graphics department. I hope if this is what the final game will end up it should be made available as a download for $20 dollars.
Starvin' Lou @ Apr 17th 2008 1:02PM
Holy crap that looks good.
Shmil @ Apr 17th 2008 1:03PM
Sadly this looks like it will end up being your standard hack'n'slash game.
Anthony33 @ Apr 17th 2008 1:29PM
Just fyi, Sam Jackson had a jerry curl in Pulp Fiction (he was supposed to have a 'fro but somehting got screwed up in wardrobe).
Anticrawl @ Apr 17th 2008 2:03PM
Glad someone noted this.
Rollins @ Apr 17th 2008 1:28PM
The last scene in the trailer reminded me of DMC.
...Afro May Cry.
deaftly @ Apr 17th 2008 1:38PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEtIoGQxqQs
/approves
Kspraydad @ Apr 17th 2008 2:14PM
Wasn't this coming out for PSP too?
ZenGaijin @ Apr 17th 2008 2:15PM
alot of things were supposed to be on PSP.
Remember early on the shots of a DMC on PSP.
rdj75 @ Apr 17th 2008 3:12PM
Come to think of it, it would be really cool if they just stole the gameplay, blood and gore from a game like ninja gaiden. Then this would be the ultimate action game.
RogueJedi86 @ Apr 17th 2008 3:21PM
After watching the trailer, I can definitely see potential flaws. Not-quite-next-gen graphics(looks closer to PSP or PS2 quality), bad camera, too much exploration not enough killing; but I can see positives at least. The graphic style for Afro looks good, fits the anime, and there seems to be some decently violent fight scenes. The music seems to be a plus too, despite my not being a hip-hop fan. I expect a lot of comparisons to Samurai Champloo and its game though.
(Meant for this to be in its post, not a reply to the first post.)
Deck @ Apr 17th 2008 4:13PM
Its got SJack. That's enough to make me buy the game.
Plus it may actually be decent!
That Fuzzy Bastard @ Apr 17th 2008 4:21PM
Point the first: It's very sad when you run out of music before you run out of trailer. Perhaps consider looping. Or paying for more music. Or something.
Point the second: Why is it that with all the advances in water, cel-shading, bloom lighting, and what-have-you, we still can't seem to get a realistic effect of fire actually catching---it just sort of appears, like a decal.
SonofSeth @ Apr 17th 2008 4:32PM
It's called art style and I love it!
nes @ Apr 18th 2008 8:02PM
WU TANG!