Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory

 PSP
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2005
Metascore
43

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 30
  3. Negative: 17 out of 30
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  1. Weekly Famitsu
    68
    7 / 6 / 7 / 7 - 27 [Dec 2004]
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  2. GameZone
    68
    With the poor controls and boring levels Rengoku doesn’t feel nearly as fluid as it could.
  3. PSM Magazine
    65
    The cyborg designs are freakishly cool, but the bland surface textures and simplistic (but randomly generated) layouts make each room look like the last. [June 2005, p.85]
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  5. GameCritics
    65
    With its minimalist aesthetic and focus on customization and combat at the expense of all else, Rengoku might leave a lot of curious PSP owners cold. But, for those gamers looking for something a little further afield than the latest racing or sports update, this niche experience is most definitely worth looking at.
  6. Game Chronicles
    64
    I can say without hesitation that there is no other game like this on the PSP and there probably won’t be another for quite some time.
  7. GamePro
    60
    Rengoku doesn't break down, but it doesn't' break new ground either.
  8. IGN
    60
    It asks philosophical questions, but it should have put that heavy thinking into the gameplay.
  9. Modojo
    60
    The drab look of the levels and the pedantic storyline make the game more boring than it should be, and while the controls and fights make this a solid game, it could have been so much more.
  10. Worth Playing
    60
    An appealing idea for a game is present in Rengoku, and Hudson could create something powerfully addictive and fun if they just revised some basic aspects of the game design and moved it to a system powerful enough to do Suemi’s designs justice.
  11. Next Level Gaming
    55
    The boring levels mixed with the poor control scheme suck any fun that the action in the game could provide.
  12. GameSpot
    52
    Rengoku: Tower of Purgatory all but completely botches the execution, delivering an experience that's clumsy, repetitious, and, thankfully, fairly short-lived.
  13. eToychest
    50
    This game does nothing right, and wastes all of the good ideas that went into making it. It offers no replay value, despite randomly generated levels, because the gameplay is too tedious to warrant a first playthrough—much less a second.
  14. Game Informer
    50
    The deep upgrade system is completely wasted by the action itself, which is some of the worst I've ever seen. [June 2005, p.136]
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  15. PSX Extreme
    46
    Seriously though, how important are these extras if the game itself is so mind-numbingly underdeveloped?
  16. Play Magazine
    45
    Comes close to hitting the mark, but misses by the fine details that separate the good from the mediocre. [May 2005, p.69]
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  17. Gamer.tv
    40
    Rengoku's clunky control system does well to convince you you're a steel-clad cyborg, but unfortunately this rigid feel doesn't lend itself to an enjoyable game. [JPN Import]
  18. GameSpy
    40
    It feels a bit PS1-era, prior to the introduction of the Dual Shock, honestly. Once I messed around with the controls for a while, I got used to them, but I am not enthusiastic about them.
  19. Cheat Code Central
    40
    It's been a while since I've played a good, mech battling game. After playing Rengoku: Tower of Purgatory, it's still been a while since I've played a good, mech battling game.
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  20. DarkStation
    40
    This game is a pretty clear cut disappointment and there is really no other way to say it. It had the potential to be a sleeper hit, paving the way for action games on the PSP, but ultimately let down with an uninspired storyline and lackluster gameplay.
  21. My Gamer
    36
    Not even worthy of a rental. Just stay away.
  22. Thunderbolt
    30
    Here’s how Rengoku works: take something cool and mess it up. It’s that simple. They took robots and they made them boring and stupid.
  23. games(TM)
    30
    With combat relying on clever use of items and plenty of RPG-esque searching and equipping, Rengoku does show some potential, but it’s far too little, and with so many better-quality titles already on the market, it’s definitely too late. [Mar 2006, p.116]
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  24. Game Revolution
    25
    It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Rengoku’s few cool ideas are short-circuited by bad design and boring gameplay.
  25. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    23
    Fantastically unfun. [July 2005, p.118]
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  26. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    20
    No other game in the PSP launch window is so miserably underachieving. [June 2005, p.101]
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  27. 1UP
    20
    The dictionary entry will read, "Rengoku ren - go - ku n: 1 A game design flaw in which great effort is expended on concept art but little else. 2 An activity that presents itself as entertainment but is, in fact, a form of torture."
  28. G4 TV
    20
    One of those games that wastes the best material on cutscenes.
  29. TheSixthAxis
    20
    It is almost embarrassing to play a game with such a lack of polish and refinement.
  30. Gaming Age
    16
    Rengoku does offer Wi-Fi multiplayer action, but that just means you have to con up to three others to endure this ludicrous blunder with you.
  31. Stuff
    10
    That's it. You can customize your 'bot a little, but frankly we haven't had this much fun since we ran over a bee hive with a riding lawnmower.

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best PSP Game of 2005
28
#28 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2005
19
#19 Most Shared PSP Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 25
  3. Negative: 9 out of 25
  1. VLG
    Aug 23, 2023
    6
    The concept was pretty interesting, the plot was deep, and the style and atmosphere of the game were pretty interesting and unique. But theThe concept was pretty interesting, the plot was deep, and the style and atmosphere of the game were pretty interesting and unique. But the gameplay was as boring as it gets. It was also absurdly hard towards the end. I never beat it.… Full Review »
  2. DarekfanAT
    Jan 19, 2021
    10
    This game is not by any means a hidden gem. But it absolutely doesn't deserve such a low score. The stages do get repetetive but the gameplayThis game is not by any means a hidden gem. But it absolutely doesn't deserve such a low score. The stages do get repetetive but the gameplay is engaging. The story is very philosophical without being pretentious. And the cherry on top is the artstyle, I kept changing equipment just to see how it affects GRAM's body. The only thing it lacks is memorable soundtrack. The only tracks that stayed in my head for long are the intro cinematic and the corridor leading to the last boss. The game is short, you can finish it in a day or two, so give it a chance.… Full Review »
  3. BunnyLee
    Sep 16, 2005
    2
    Boring zzzzzzzz BOE - BOE - BOE.
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