Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 70
  2. Negative: 5 out of 70
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  1. If you enjoy wicked style and simple, yet satisfying combat, mature content that’s more than a script full of unnecessary F-bombs, and more gore than you’ll see in all five Saw films combined, then Afro deserves a spot in your game library.
  2. I really enjoyed playing through the game and Leveling up Afro to learn his new skills and unleash the fury on my enemies, but sometimes found myself getting frustrated with the camera when having to wall run and crisscross jump and occasionally in a fight.
  3. Barring some frustrations, Afro Samurai is one of the more enjoyable titles of this genre I’ve played since Ninja Gaiden 2. Now break yo’self fool!!!
  4. Despite its flaws, Afro Samurai is a well done hack-and-slash adventure.
  5. The simple action may get tiresome for those that don't put the time into learning the controls. Also, the game is quite short. Nevertheless, I had a blast cutting my way through, and have made this game part of my personal collection!
  6. 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.
  7. Despite some glitches, simplistic level design, some repetition, its brevity and perhaps music that you're not going to agree with, Afro Samurai is an enjoyable experience and well worth picking up. I would also suggest if you're unsure to rent first, although fans should rush out and buy it because the game captures everything you know and love perfectly.
  8. There is no denying that Afro Samurai does it with Style. Everything from the swordplay to Samuel L. Jackson’s banter to the graphics has a signature feel that defines the game.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. While it may only be a hack and slash, button mashing experience at its core, the art work, gore factor and voice acting means that for those who allow themselves to ignore the simplicity of its combat, and the usual problems like camera angles that games like this are burdened with, it's a refreshing and entertaining experience.
  13. Afro Samurai persisted in mesmerizing us. And really, with Sam Jackson spouting lines like “That girl puts the two ‘asses’ in ‘assassin’” in feudal Japan, how can we resist?
  14. 75
    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.
  15. 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.
  16. 75
    There is still no denying that Afro Samurai is an entertaining visual treat. The aesthetics of the game are a joy to behold and when you get into the zone you are bound to witness gory scenes of pure awesomeness.
  17. Afro Samurai provides an entertaining and bloody orgy of death while it lasts, but camera issues, inconsistent checkpoints, and lackluster boss fights keep it from greatness.
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 67
  2. Negative: 17 out of 67
  1. Jan 15, 2012
    3
    If you want a good action game in the style of Devil May Cry or God of War, do not buy this game. If you want terrible camera controls, decentIf you want a good action game in the style of Devil May Cry or God of War, do not buy this game. If you want terrible camera controls, decent voice work, a barely glued together plot, and one of the most boring combat systems ever created, then go get this game. I took a 2 year break between starting and beating this game for how enraged i was at it. It tries to be much better than it is, and offers a glimpse of inspired combat, but fails rather quickly. The strategy for all non-boss fights is virtually identical, that being focus attacking, because the normal combos are worthless. One focus attack kills all standard enemies, but standard enemies need at least a dozen normal attacks to be defeated. The focus attacks themselves are fun, offering a No More Heroes style of slicing dudes in pieces ... that is when you can get it to work properly. Other than the Focus stuff all the normal attacks feel terrible, and don't feel like they are doing any damage. Combos 'exist' but only if you bother to look them up, and are pretty useless compared to a focus attack. Enemies barely react to attacks, and the only indicator of their health (or your own) is the character model tinting red. This game will go down as one of the few games in history that gave my a headache due to terrible platforming, level design, checkpointing, combat, and several other things. Of the few positives i'll say that the voice work is well done, and the soundtrack is alright, but it does get repetitive when songs loop infinitely during fights. The visual style is nice to look at, but it's dragged down by boring enemy and level design. Full Review »
  2. Feb 13, 2012
    6
    I had a ton of fun with this game, still there are some problems with it. Sometimes you have to do very specific slices with your katana thatI had a ton of fun with this game, still there are some problems with it. Sometimes you have to do very specific slices with your katana that were hard for me to get down. At the end when you face a nearly endless, and i mean endless, wave of the same enemy was hands down the stupidest part of the game. Full Review »
  3. May 26, 2011
    8
    if you like Quentin Tarantino films, Ninja Gaiden-esque combos, great scenery and awesome music look no further. it's very repetitive and theif you like Quentin Tarantino films, Ninja Gaiden-esque combos, great scenery and awesome music look no further. it's very repetitive and the controls can often be maddening but overall a solid, fun game. Full Review »