Impressions: Afro Samurai, and a slew of dead bodies
Why's that? Afro Samurai's gruesome rendering of the frightening power of a sword has me craving for some fresh meat. When Afro swings his sword, he will be able to cut right through anyone. No matter where he hits them, the sword will cut cleanly. Hit an enemy's foot, and it will fall off. Cut an enemy's arm off with ease. You'll be able to cut off interesting pieces off your enemies' bodies and see the flesh and bone inside, slowly leaking blood. It's a fascinating sight, especially as you kill dozens and dozens of mindless opponents.
Ultra-violence isn't uncommon in this industry. But, although Ninja Gaiden II had no problem cutting off the limbs of everything that moves, it's strangely unsettling in this cel-shaded adventure. Is it the fact that Afro Samurai absolutely revels in its gore? Providing slow-mo zoom-ins to see the stylized cuts of muscle meat go flying off certainly whets the appetite.
It's hard to judge the quality of the game from such a short demonstration, but at least the development team's goal is clear. Hopefully, they take the violence one step further by ensuring the body parts that you shed off hapless victims stays active in the game environment. The ESRB-approved "tame" version of the trailer, after the cut.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dantarion @ Jul 17th 2008 6:40AM
Unless they can make a game that captures the essence of the anime, I would rather them not make one.
For example, the PS3/XBOX360 Naruto game actually LOOKS like the anime, moves like the anime, etc.
This....doesn't...feel..like..afro.samrai...
Not badass enough. Looks like a poormans ninja gaiden.
Lugubrious @ Jul 17th 2008 12:39PM
What I think is important to remember here, that differentiates this title from other 'ultra violent' titles is the technology they are using. What they are attempting is dynamic bisection of objects. The sword cuts where it hits, not at predefined 'break' points. Get the angle right, and you could cut someone's FACE off. That right there, is pretty awesome. I wish this was coming out for the PC. Combine this with NauralMotion's euphoria and Digital Molecuar Matter, and you'll have your murder simulator, right there.
Dantarion @ Jul 17th 2008 12:47PM
Okay, unfortunately, I refuse to give them props because they are trying some new tech to make dismemberment look nice.
Thats like saying "This game is aweful, but the lighting effects are incredible!"
If I am playing an Afro Samurai, I am playing it because its an Afro Samurai game.
Sure, I might play Doom 3, or Crysis, or something else because of graphics, but I don't want the Afro Samurai game to be some lame tech demo.
I want something that is inspired by the anime. And remember, Ninja Gaiden isn't famous for the blood, or the disemberment, its mainly known for hardcore difficulty.
Games need more than fancy effects.
HDRL? NO.
Portal Gun? YES
Geometry Shaders? DirectX10? NO.
Just look at the Wii. Its a success, without trying to break the technology barrier every 5 seconds.
Oh, I am ranting... [/rant]
Lugubrious @ Jul 17th 2008 1:19PM
Sure thing, I respect that position. I've never watched Afro Samurai, (is it any good?) so I latched onto the tech-y part of it. I agree that when they base a game on a popular IP, fidelity to that IP comes first. It would be a shame if the dynamic bisection was great, only to be ruined by a shitty game. Still would love to see it in action though.
EdZ @ Jul 17th 2008 3:10PM
Not capturing the 'feel' of Afro Samurai is a plus point in my book, given how absolutely abysmal the OVA was.
ugg.tryptophan @ Jul 17th 2008 7:28PM
...or a lowbrow samurai champloo
Nigeria: SSBB: 0731-6347-2110 @ Jul 17th 2008 7:01AM
With the BBFC and German regulators attitude to violence of late, I am rather worried whether this game will make the cut intact, that is if they even decide to bring it to PAL shores. Are they? I'd love to play this game, as long as it is not as tedious as Ninja Gaiden 2.
Foetoid @ Jul 17th 2008 7:01AM
Wow, that and Mad World have won E3 for me. Time for fork up for a 360 to accompany my Wii.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x64z6t_mad-world-trailer-e3_videogames
j.howlett @ Jul 17th 2008 8:18AM
i can't wait to fight the teddy bear and slice enemies into gourmet cuts
randerson @ Jul 17th 2008 8:30AM
*squee* I can't wait to play this game! I'm really interested in seeing what they mean when they talk about how the characters change based on what music is playing.
Sam @ Jul 17th 2008 12:22PM
Don't get your hopes up. The ps2 game was unbelievably awfull.
Superstar90 @ Jul 17th 2008 12:57PM
I think you mean Samurai Champloo. Afro Samurai has never had a game before. And yes, Samurai Champloo was a disappointing game, I really liked the show.
Sam @ Jul 17th 2008 1:36PM
My mistake, that mention of music based gameplay at the end there threw me off i think. :)
Here's hoping this game is a whole lot better.
Pedobear @ Jul 17th 2008 3:41PM
Too bad the show is terrible.
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Jul 17th 2008 4:29PM
Not dark enough.
Not enough blood.
IMHO spirit of anime isn't there...
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Jul 17th 2008 4:32PM
Hm...
But I guess they want for game some rating so at least teenagers can play.
BluRay edition of anime is "unrated", IIRC.
GearSecond!! (a.k.a AwesomeStuff) @ Jul 17th 2008 7:15PM
Gotta get back...
Back to the past.. Samurai Ja- OH SNAP WRONG SHOW
The Nekked Ninja @ Sep 2nd 2008 5:11PM
This looks pretty sweet, hopefully this will be the samurai sword fighting game i have always been looking for. Ninja Gaiden came close, but I really hate hitting enemies with my extremely sharp samurai sword and not cutting that shit off of them. I realize it hasn't been totally possible until this gaming generation, but its always been my dream that no matter where the sword hits a enemy will cut that part off. The only exception should be if they block with their sword or the like. Anybody else feel this way?