Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai does so much so well, it’s a shame that the little things are what drag it down.

Despite its flaws, Afro Samurai is a well done hack-and-slash adventure.

This may not be a must-buy, but it is a stylish action romp that will please a mature audience looking for laughs and an ass-kicking good time.

Afro should at least be commended for precisely translating the show's feel to a game, especially considering all the poor adaptations out there bearing little in common with their original properties.

Afro Samurai is a fun action game that brings the anime to life with an interesting plot development overly the dizzying basics of the hack n’ slash formula.

With the remarkable hip-hop infused soundtrack and strong voice acting from all the lead actors of the show, the game is worth it for action fans willing to tackle this bloody exploration into the nature of vengeance.

While Afro Samurai won’t be the worst game you will play in 2009, the only thing I can say is that it could be so much better. The incredible presentation level, the nice graphics/animations and the compelling storyline are overshadowed by the poor camera angles, the repetitive and tiresome gameplay and the impossibility to change the X-axis controls.

Afro Samurai is heavy on style and aggression, so it stinks that things like the camera get in the way of a game you really want to love. Afro Samurai is a six-hour excursion with plenty of ill-conceived aspects, but katana-wielding destruction is yours for the taking if you can cope with the oversights.

While eviscerating so many ninjas is cathartic, Afro Samurai ends up feeling more like a slick, hyper-visual arcade experience more than a solid home console experience. But still fun nonetheless.

Gamers looking for a transcendent gaming experience most likely are not going to find it here. But for fans of anime, samurai movies, Samuel L. Jackson, and animated samurai movies starring Samuel L. Jackson, Afro Samurai is a literally bloody good game.

Afro Samurai has a unique combat system and gorgeous action that many players will love. Good enough to recommend to fans of gore, hip-hop, martial arts and Afro Samurai, but a bit more spit and polish could have really helped put this on the map.

Once you make your way past plot and balance issues, what you are left with is a well-presented, just above average game that handles well but leaves you wanting something more.

Far from perfect but still an incredibly entertaining play, Afro Samurai captures all of the style and substance from the hit TV show with amazingly innovative combat and absolutely stunning visuals.

This gory, gorgeous action game has plenty of flaws, but it will still satisfy your thirst for blood.

The luscious graphics do bring out the finer qualities of the anime, complete with striking water-brushed backdrops and fluid animation. It's a shame the camera constantly needs to be adjusted, though.

It’s close to being amazing, and there are times when it is, but there are too many times where it just simply isn’t up to par with the current generation’s standards. The camera is too jumpy, the bosses are too frustrating, and the platforming just isn’t any fun.

It is worth checking out, particularly if you're a fan of action games, but don't expect this title to replace your current top spot any time soon.

Built on the anime of the same name, Afro Samurai should have been a sure-fire hit. Unfortunately some poor design decisions have hampered its chances at success, but it still manages to entertain with fluid fighting and slick effects. It's just a shame it becomes repetitive too soon.

Stylish and brutal hack and slash slightly let down by mediocre platforming and repetition. [May 2009, p.82]

Afro Samurai plays it too cool. The game looks and sounds great, but everything is far, far too easy. Gameplay is just a one-button-smash and it’s practically impossible to actually die. It’s a shame, since the weird feudal Japan meets cyberpunk world is and interestingly funky place. [Apr 2009]

Initially a jaw-dropper but quickly a repetitive action game ruled by hack-n-slash mechanics, Afro Samurai is worth playing but does not warrant more than a rental.

At the end of the day, fans of the anime series may enjoy this title, however the fiddle some control system and camera problems unfortunately just make this a truly frustrating gaming experience and I really wanted to like this title. Quite a shame really

Only fans of the television show and fans of Manga games will really like this title. Still you don't have to be afraid of creating large blood pools.

I could further bemoan the lack of character customization, the mash-a-licious combat system, and the (mostly) fluid yet barebones platforming, but sometimes we all need a little simplicity. Like a Jason Statham action flick, Afro Samurai won’t change your life in any meaningful way, but it’s perfect for those days when you want to sink into the couch, turn off your brain, and watch some bloody entertainment.

Falling through the air while brawling with Afro Droid while rocking out to some fat beats is an amazing experience, but when you couple that with a piss-poor camera, terrible platforming sections, and cheap/mentally challenged bosses, the end product suffers.

As a condensed version of the anime, hardcore fans may walkaway from Afro Samurai with mixed emotions, while the full-fledged newbie will most likely be somewhat pleased...and accompanied by a curious case of bloodlust.

It brings some interesting graphical style, some cool hip-hop beats, and some top-notch voice work by Sam Jackson to the party, but it’s too short, too repetitive, and too flawed design-wise to be anything but a mediocre game.

Afro Samurai stays close to the anime. It has some big flaws, but despite that, the game is still standing. The soundtrack is superb and the slow motion action will keep you entertained.

Afro Samurai will certainly not appeal to all due to it's many flaws, however it is still a fun, if not a little tedious game to play.

Fun but basic errors cause disappointment throughout. [Apr 2009, p.64]

It's sad – there is still a lot of potential here, so hopefully someone can nab the rights and do this series justice down the line.

It’s a great-looking game, thick with atmosphere and brilliant music. Sadly, someone forgot to show as much care to the gameplay, so only fans of the comics and TV series are likely to finish the adventure with much satisfaction.

Fans of the anime will love the look, but the game just retreads the plot. Aside from the fantastic dismemberment, Afro Samurai doesn't manage to be anything loftier than essentially the same beat 'em up that we've been playing since Double Dragon. On the other hand, it is fun in short doses, looks great, and can be hilarious.

The game is riddled with immense potential that is overshadowed by a myriad of amateur flaws that should've never been there in the first place. With poor a camera that is also permanently inverted, lack of depth, little replay value, poor platforming elements, and brutal difficulty in some boss battles, Afro Samurai is better off left alone.

As a hack-and-slash tribute to its source materials, Afro Samurai succeeds with its rewarding battle animations and atmosphere. [Apr 2009, p.78]

Afro Samurai clearly is an enjoyable title, which is easy to play and can bring us a lot of fun if we manage to forget its flaws, but it doesn't prevent its relevant problems.

It's no secret that Afro Samurai aims for the anime-fan. If you're new to the series, then you will have a hard time figuring out what the story is all about. Off course, if you're a fan of Afro, you won't. The only question remains if newcomers will accept the lousy camera and unbalanced fighting system.

Fans of the show are likely to get a kick out of the solid virtual representation of the key characters and locations and will probably enjoy the combat for a few hours. Problems will become more and more intolerable though, especially towards the end of the game where bosses are bordering on unfair, and platforming sections repeatedly make you want to quit the game there and then. Hardcore fans of the genre are even less likely to get anything from the game.

Afro Samurai has the production values worthy of the best entertainment blockbuster. However, although the wrapping is beautiful the game is very repetitive and doesn't give any incentive to the player. Right, sometimes it's funny, but as a whole it has been a disappointment.

Unfortunately, playing the game leaves you with this constant feeling that you're watching a film while occasionally tapping at one of the buttons on your controller to continue the story.

If you're a fan of the show, then Afro Samurai is definitely a game you should take the time to play.

Does the job, but will disappoint even fans of the anime. [Apr 2009, p.80]

It’s really too bad that Afro Samurai is bogged down by nagging annoyances, because the core game is actually decent, if not spectacular. If it had a healthy dose of polish it would be a solid rental (but not full-price purchase).

For a visual showpiece, Afro Samurai is outstanding but for everything else, you can safely pass.

The flash and gore are toned down, and the henchmen never get any smarter, but that bond with the protagonist – and that investment in his salvation – make the whole game worthwhile. [Apr 2009, p.117]

Afro Samurai radiates style both visually and aurally, but the underlying mechanics do little to raise it above an average experience. [Apr 2009, p.112]

Even the core combat pales after a bit, because it lacks the exacting precision of Gaiden. [Apr 2009, p.93]

On the surface Afro Samurai is a masterpiece, but as soon as you take a closer look everything crumbles to pieces. Avoid this game unless you're a fan, and even if you are one you ought to be wary.

Fans of the show will appreciate this title more, but I cannot even recommend playing past level 1 for even the hardcore.

Ultimately, Afro falls into the same pitfalls as almost every other game based on a movie/television license: It presents an edited down version of a story that's familiar to fans but indecipherable to newcomers, wrapped up in a generic game housing. It looks great. It sounds great. But, otherwise, it's a mashup of characters and situations that makes little sense.