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asura’s wrath

asura’s wrath is a genre-defying video game developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Capcom. CC2 is probably best known for his work on the dotHack and the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja franchises here have crafted a stylish and over-the-top revenge story, loosely based on Hindu and Buddhist mythologies but with a sci-fi bent. It’s also one of the most underrated titles of 2012.

That does not mean that everyone will enjoy asura’s wrath. The game’s harshest critics have criticized it for being too direct, calling it more of an interactive anime than a video game, and it’s a tough point to argue with. The game alternates between third-person fighting, rail-style shooter segments, a ton of cutscenes, and numerous quick-time events. (For those who don’t know, quick-time events are those segments in games that play like a cutscene, but involve timed button presses or other controller input in correspondence with on-screen action.) Be a brawler, the combat is almost too sparse to keep some players interested. He will at times feel that he is watching the game rather than playing it, and as a result, may feel that he is no longer helping to shape events, but is simply getting in the way. At least it’s a pretty good ride.

If you’re more into diversity than just first-person or third-person shooters in the games you play, Asura’s Wrath is worth checking out. The phrase “interactive anime” really hits the spot here. The game even takes place over 18 ‘episodes’ instead of levels, complete with some opening credits and, around the midpoint of the level, a couple of splash screens where the commercial break would be. Everything from the style of the graphics and the way the characters are shaded, to the over-the-top combat from the anime is brought to life. (Now I know I’ve used over-the-top twice in this review, but what would you call a game where a man runs his sword through another man and, oh yeah, THE WHOLE PLANET BEHIND HIM!?) This anime presentation really suits the style of the game and the gonzo fights. It’s a shame all those cutscenes don’t tell a better story.

It’s mostly Asura’s fault. He’s not really a nice guy. He takes Akuma from the Street Fighter games, give him Goku’s Super Sayian hair from Dragon Ball Z, and then give that guy all the personality and fury of the Incredible Hulk and you won’t be too far off Asura’s baseline. He is so angry all the time. Okay, sure, he was betrayed by his seven fellow demigods. Yes, his wife was murdered and his daughter was kidnapped, and then yes, he was sent to what is essentially hell for 12,000 years to think about it. I’m not saying the guy has no right to be angry, I’m just saying the scenes filled with monosyllabic growls and lots of screaming don’t make for compelling drama.

It’s a good thing you don’t play this game for the story.

You play this game because you want to see a guy who is so angry that he grows four more arms. A guy who’s so mad he throws a flying shellfish the size of a blue whale at a snapping turtle the size of a small town. You want to see a guy who is so angry that he hits the ground hard enough to propel himself into space… where he proceeds to destroy an entire fleet of warships. You play this game because you want to see a guy kick his way into the core of a planet. You play this game because it’s the craziest, stabbing, most EXCESSIVE (yes I said) bunch of crazies on the planet right now.

As I said, the game is not for everyone. It’s one of those polarizing experiences, and you’ll probably either love it or hate it. However, if you like unique gaming experiences or have a penchant for anime, you’ll find something to enjoy. asura’s wrath. Head over to Slackers and look it up today.

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