Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage

 Xbox 360
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 38
  3. Negative: 7 out of 38
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  1. GamingTrend
    Dec 20, 2010
    72
    It just feels like this game could have been renamed Dynasty Warriors: Fist of the North Star. If you like that style of gameplay, then you may enjoy this game. Otherwise it's not worth your time, even for fans of the series.
  2. Game Revolution
    Dec 19, 2010
    67
    Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage reminds us what a great beat-'em-up at its core is all about, as long as you're playing by yourself and hopefully in spurts.
  3. Gamer's Hell
    Dec 20, 2010
    65
    With hours of violent action capable of being employed, Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage is certainly an easily rentable option if you're looking to kill time as mercilessly as the in-game enemy, but anything beyond the re-skinned Dynasty half only proves to be a chore.
  5. Worth Playing
    Dec 20, 2010
    65
    Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage suffers from being too much and not enough like Dynasty Warriors.
  6. SpazioGames
    Jan 5, 2011
    64
    The hardcore fan will simply rejoice, and won't even notice the many flaws. For everyone else, Ken's Rage is the average DInasty Warriors.
  7. Games Master UK
    Dec 20, 2010
    62
    In all, way better than expected. [Issue#232, p.94]
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  8. Meristation
    Jan 12, 2011
    60
    Ken's Wrath has some good ideas and offers us a glimpse of what a Hokuto no Ken's game could be. But this is not that game, as it's repetitive, with many visual issues and an important lack of personality. It feels more of the same with the Warriors series, and it's dissapointing and several levels.
  9. Eurogamer Italy
    Jan 8, 2011
    60
    Although Fist of the North Star is far from beeing perfect, its intense atmosphere and engaging battles will surely manage to please any fan of the anime or manga... but if you're not among them, you should definitely look somewhere else.
  10. 3DJuegos
    Jan 4, 2011
    60
    Intense battles for any fan of the anime or manga. Don't expect any more.
  11. Eurogamer Spain
    Jan 2, 2011
    60
    Fans of the original manga will love it, but this is a game that doesn't offer anything for the rest of us.
  12. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Dec 25, 2010
    60
    A distinctly Japanese take on an irrevocably inscrutable cultural milestone, grab it from your nearest bargain bin for those sniggersome one-liners alone. [Issue#67, p.101]
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  13. GamePro
    Dec 20, 2010
    60
    As a Fist of the North Star game, Ken's Rage is disappointingly generic in its execution.
  14. GamerNode
    Dec 20, 2010
    60
    Fist of the North Star is a fun game if you're a fan of the anime series. If not, there isn't a whole lot here for you unless you like Dynasty Warriors. The dependence on the anime really hurts it.
  15. ZTGD
    Dec 19, 2010
    60
    Unfortunately, non-fans of the North Star will find very little in this waste-land of below average gameplay mechanics.
  16. Eurogamer
    Dec 19, 2010
    60
    If you have any love for the manga, feel free to add the final scar to the tally. For everyone else, this is just an old-school brawler that's partial to shouting ATATATATATATA. Because you're already dead.
  17. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    Dec 25, 2010
    58
    An acquired taste, and horribly aged, but the ultra camp bloodletting isn't especially poor. [Issue#98, p99]
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  18. Everyeye.it
    Jan 10, 2011
    55
    Ken's Rage ruins a solid game-structure with a gameplay that lacks depth. And furthermore the graphics is really poor. A game only for addicted fans.
  19. GameZone
    Dec 19, 2010
    55
    If you're one of the two people who couldn't wait for Fist of the North Star to get its own game on next-gen consoles, your time has finally come. Everyone else will find a mediocre brawler, hidden under a coat of post-apocalyptic paint.
  20. XboxAddict
    Dec 20, 2010
    54
    For me the controls were the biggest disappointment I experienced.
  21. Gamereactor Sweden
    Jan 3, 2011
    50
    Primitive graphics and terrible story telling make us more full of rage then Ken.
  22. GameShark
    Dec 20, 2010
    50
    Other playable modes offer a little variety to Legend Mode, such as Dream Mode, which opens up a story not seen in the manga for rabid fans to devour, and Challenge Mode featuring endless waves of enemies to slaughter again and again, but unless you're that devoted fan with every single episode of the anime series and every volume of the manga, there just isn't enough here to recommend.
  23. IGN
    Dec 19, 2010
    50
    There are different stories to play through and plenty to unlock, but it's nothing special.
  24. Eurogamer Portugal
    Dec 19, 2010
    50
    It is unfortunate that the game cannot match the quality of the anime.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 28
  3. Negative: 4 out of 28
  1. Asterisk73
    Nov 5, 2010
    8
    If you ever watched the Fist of the North Star anime or enjoyed any of the games from Koei's "Warriors" series, you'll enjoy this title.If you ever watched the Fist of the North Star anime or enjoyed any of the games from Koei's "Warriors" series, you'll enjoy this title. Unlike many adaptations of animes, mangas, etc. this game follows the FotNS canon quite well. The gameplay is simplistic, but fits the type of action seen in the show. There is a LOT of playtime available in this title as each character from the original manga/anime has their own story mode and "dream mode". If you come into this game expecting a revolutionary single player experience, you won't find it. However, if you enjoyed the show and want a game that follows it faithfully, definitely pick this one up.… Full Review »
  2. Hierophantasm
    Nov 2, 2010
    9
    This is a wonderful trip down anime/manga memory lane. It's got that great Mad Max-meets-Bruce Lee vibe with wildly over-the-top guitar riffsThis is a wonderful trip down anime/manga memory lane. It's got that great Mad Max-meets-Bruce Lee vibe with wildly over-the-top guitar riffs and ultra-violence for newcomers to enjoy, while paying great homage to the elements that made Fist of the North Star an iconic anime. While lacking some of the polish over-budgeted "AAA" titles enjoy, this scrappy brawler looks great, all things considered. Characters are varied enough, so that anyone will be sure to have their favorites, with plenty of customization options available. Loading screens may seem lengthy, but the levels proceed with little to no interruption. Give this a shot if you're into under-the-radar gems, and like to support the underdog.… Full Review »
  3. AmadeusE
    Apr 20, 2020
    9
    Enjoyable music, familiar Dynasty/Samurai Warriors style that I like, great character designs(including sexy female characters) and lots ofEnjoyable music, familiar Dynasty/Samurai Warriors style that I like, great character designs(including sexy female characters) and lots of testosterone. And no stupid cel-shading like in Lost Paradise. I also prefer the Dynasty Warriors style over the Yakuza style of Lost Paradise. And some of the music during gameplay reminds me of Painkiller for some reason. I'm playing Painkiller as a beat'em up!… Full Review »
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