Customer Reviews

Kengo: Master of Bushido

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Kengo, Master of Bushido. The most masterful swordfighting game of all time, Crave has offered up a prime port of the Japanese original.

One player campaign mode allows you to unlock 13 characters, two player mode allows you to whomp on your friends.

There are twelve dojo's, and each has an ancestral sword that you can win, bringing shame and dishonor to their families - that's right, scream, but I won your sword fair and square!

Sixteen different weapons are possible in this game, including, yes, the two-by-four. Well it just looks like a board. Supposedly it's a scepter... Hm.

A fully customizable series of attacks, along with blocking and parrying lend a depth of feel to the duels. You're not just button mashing here, this is a calculated effort to glean your opponents weaknesses, wear them down, and even dance in and out, slashing arteries - Then keep your distance as they bleed to death.

Eventually you earn your own dojo, and defend it against the upstart young would-be samuri, the high priest, and even your own ghost in your pursuit of enlightenment. Your master's dying words will lead you on the correct path.

Kengo is without a doubt the most well conceived and executed game for the PS2, the combat, characters, and environments lend a sharp realism to this recreation of fuedal Japan.

This game is a must have.

I had expected a horrid game based from all the mediocre reviews this game had gotten. Curiously the magazine critics were harsher on this game than actual players of the game.

This is not a button-mashing game like DOA and Tekken. It is an elegant simulator that requires finesse and timing. You need to be able to see the trajectory of your opponent in order to be able to strike with success. You actually need to listen carefully in order to be able to block effectively (something people tend to forget: you can react to sound faster than you can respond to sight). When I first practiced blocking in the dojo, I was hopeless. You're going to be stuck on this part for a while- probably getting very aggrevated like I did. Then I stopped using my eyes to decide when to block and started listening. Once you get through that, you'll appreciate what this game is about.

The training levels add to the Zen mysticism of it all. The motion capture work makes the game really elegant. Nice touch to have the game in Japanese with english subtitles. Nice that there is no techno/rock soundtrack like all the other games these days. It's a very quiet game that really requires you to focus to win.

The best part of the game is that you can select your character, you can select the dojo you wish to join, and you can assign the fighting stances you learn to the hat keys on the controller. Each dojo has different sword styles so the game really becomes a nice tutorial to learn the various sword styles of bushido.

If only this were a Jedi training simulator rather than Bushido- but then again Jedi sword styles are really based on Bushido.

A bit of trivia: the game has a health meter and a Ki meter. Ki is described as the energy flowing through all human beings. In Chinese, Chi means the same thing- literally translates as breath/stamina/energy.

May the Ki Be With You

As fighting games go, this is all well and fine. It's got a nice fighting system with a variety of moves with a very simple layout. One button for attack, how's that for simple? However, you are able to customize your combos, of which you can store four different kinds, so you can truly create your own unique character with the fighting style *you* really like. You can combine moves from a variety of dojos making for a vast selection of custom combos to create. This game would have gotten four stars if not for one glaring problem. While you are free to create your own guy, and build him up the way you see fit, the game only allows one save. Unlike Ultimate Fighting, your friends can't create their own samurai and challenge your creation. That is simply lame. I have no idea how the testers did not catch that. This is all well and fine if you don't have friends to play with. While this makes it no different from many other fighting games, if you're going to allow a custom character, you should be able to share the joy.

Like other reviewers, I found the strategy and elegance of this game compelling. At first, it was difficult -- so much so I gave it up for months. When I had more time, I returned to the game -- and within a week I mastered (well, I should be more humble: grasped) the controls. Kengo is nice because it requires you to really watch your opponent instead of barraging him with everything you got. At first, I had to do this to advance -- but once I reached a certain comfort with the game pacing, I realized I could allow my opponent time to recover and strike again.

This is a game, I think, that you can play for a long time -- slowly coming to terms with the user interface and matching its rhythm -- instead over overwhelming it with your nervous system.

Little things in the game, like the types of training, are ...yes, relaxing. It's amazing to see a game that actually relaxes you. The Japanese culture one experiences from the game is marvellous -- I only wish that they gave the various teachers of the schools more personality instead of having them say the same lines (with different voice acting). Definitely a good game to pick up and have in your library.

When I first got this game, I was excited about it. I have always had a thing for sword fights. Then, I loaded the game. Imagine my disappointment when I realised that most of the fighting would be done with wooden swords! I also thought that the movement was slow, and was constantly getting thrashed by every dojo master.

After a while, though, I began to adapt to the realistic pace and movements of this game. I have since won the tournaments, own every sword, and yet I still play this game from time to time. It's intersting to me that the first time I play after a long while away from the game, I must again re-adjust to this game.

The two main areas that I feel could use improvement are the background sounds(way too repetitve), and the mini-games that boost your attributes(again far too repetitive).

Over all, though, this is a deep, realistic fighter that is worth getting to know.

This is the best game of its kind, pure and simple. Unlike many other one-on-one fighting games, Kengo does not have strange "special attacks," such as lightning bolts, fireballs, etc. Rather, the game is based on realistic Japanese sword fighting techniques. The graphics are perhaps not as good as some other PS2 games, they are certainly not bad, and do not detract from the game in any way.

The best part of the game is its realism. You train in various dojos, using wooden swords (bokken), just as real samurai trained and as practitioners of the sword arts do today. The movements are very realistic. Gameplay is superb.

This is not a game for those who like their video games to be of the "hack and slash" genre. If you like lots of killing and gore, get Onimusha or something similar. But if you are interested in a mature game that holds remarkably true to Japanese sword martial arts, then by all means get this game. For those who practice kendo or aiki-ken, you will be very pleasantly surprised.

Fans of the Bushido Blade series should be cautious before snapping up this latest offering from Lightweight. While Kengo is undoubtedly fun and addictive, it strays from the virtues that made the Bushido Blade series very successful. In fact, the designers seemed to take several steps back. But before I delve into how the game disappoints, let's talk about how the game succeeds.

The first thing you'll notice, of course, are the updated 128-bit graphics, courtesy of PS2. Kengo, simply put, is absolutely gorgeous! Every dojo is lovingly crafted, down to the most intricate detail, with great lighting effects (just check out those reflections on the shiny wood floors). Character models are very nice, albeit jagged on the edges (it seems that pesky alaising bug is still around), and the motion captures look amazingly realistic and much more varied. And, if blood and gore are what you want, Kengo does not disappoint. The amount of blood that gushes from the characters is absolutely frightening! There's even a setting where you can have their clothing slowly soak in their own blood. Seeing your character emerge victorious albeit a bloodied mess, can be disturbing. But stunning graphics are just the beginning. Wait till you see how this baby plays!

Thanks to the processing power of PS2, gameplay is fast, furious, and ultra-smooth. Controls are very intuitive as well. Anyone can pick up the controller for the first time and start hacking away. But just saying that may be doing the game a little injustice. While the controls are user friendly, it does take a lot of practice to be a Kengo master. So many factors affect your performance in a match. Your distance from your opponent for instance, has direct impact on the variety of moves you can make. And just as in the Bushido Blade series, you have a variety of "attack techniques" to choose from (using the L1, L2, R1, R2 buttons). Unfortunately, this is where the good stuff ends.

Bushido Blade purists will have a problem with the definite "arcade" feel of the game. Kengo utilizes "health meters" (ugh) which were refreshingly absent in the previous offerings. Thankfully, there is an option to turn the meters off (I highly recommend turning them off). However, unlike before, where one devastating blow can end a match, it takes quite a few more strokes to demolish your opponent in Kengo (hence the need for a health bar) - this is one of the steps back that the designers have taken. Another thing that may bother purists is that, fighting occurs in enclosed arenas (a la Soul Calibur) - no more running through expansive grounds, which is a shame, given the power of the PS2. Maiming during combat (arm going limp, legs giving out), has been discarded in favor of a "Danger" alert. You can be mortally wounded, and eventually bleed to death in mid-battle. The bleeding system isn't bad, as it adds a bit of a strategical element, but it would have been nice to still have one hit blows (no health bars, please), and maiming, thus giving the game the realism that Bushido Blade had.

Single Mode is where the game redeems itself. While "Tournament Mode" (where you play against the CPU), is fun by itself, it's the "Single Mode" that'll keep you coming back. This is the meat and potatoes of Kengo. In it, you get to live the hard life of a "bushi." You start off with very little skill, and in quasi RPG style, you build-up your character and move him up the ranks - challenging dojo after dojo, acquiring their techniques (and special swords) and utilizing them as your own. Occasionally, on your quest, you're challenged by overzealous swordsmen, and engage in a few "street fights" which can be incredibly difficult. Eventually, you get to compete in the Imperial tournament which ultimately decides who's the best "Kengo" in the land. Aside from some of the in-game flaws mentioned above, this part of the game can be totally immersing.

Bottom line, if you want a great Kenjitsu sim, then you're better off playing the first Bushido Blade. If you're the arcade type and love Soul Calibur but need a slight change of pace, then this is definitely the game for you.

This is a great game. One thing many of the reviewers fail to note is the skill that a true comefrom behind victory requires. This is brought on by the bleeding death feature. If your severly down, chances are your not going to dart in and cut them to pieces before you drop from blood loss. It really adds a sense of urgency to your fights and requires you to think faster. No more hanging back and waiting for them.

This game is a real samurai simulator. A lot of gamers who have tried this game complain about spending more time training than actually fighting. First of all, samurai fighting is an art and a lifestyle. And I think this is what this game is about; letting players experience how japanese swordsmen learned their craft. Also, comparing Bushido Blade with Kengo is like comparing Fencing with Judo. Bushido Blade is a fighting game, you go in and fight and go to the next opponent. Kengo is more than just going in and fighting, it's simulating the art of the samurai. I've already spent 102 "game-days" training my Samurai just to get him into tip-top shape once he starts duelling out with other dojos. The AI in this game is smart...very smart. Don't think for a minute you can get away with every combo you've mastered. The AI will pounce, sneak, jab the blade, block, counter move, taunt you, and wait for you to make a move. The only gripe I have about this game is the lack of the fatal one-hit death. Still the realism is there because the moves and combos are truly based on ancient swordfighting techniques. This is the only fighting game that I really cared for my player. When he's up against an opponent, I make sure I am doing the right stance and technique. Failure to do so will lead to some very bloody results.

Another thing that's also missing the online multiplayer potential of this game. Unfortunately PS2 still has no online upgrade for the system yet. Imagine creating your own dojo of players and duelling it out with other dojos online. Awesome!

This is a game, more games should be made like this. Im a person that likes fighting games but i cant stand the skilless button slamming games where all that matters is you pressed A faster then the other guy. Untill i found Kengo: Master of Bushido, i thought Tekken games were my only salvation. But now im tearing down that church and building a shrine to Kengo.
No more nightmares of seeing my poor character being pummeled by my friend as stupid flashing neon letters scream out 74 HIT COMBO OF DOOM!
This game is 1 of skill and tactics and strategy and thinking and planning, and all other words that mean you dont run at the other guy screaming.
You choose a swordsmen and then what school he should go to. Then you train him to pass all of that dojos tests and eventually beat its master. Then you go to other dojos to beat their masters and be the best. All the while you learn new techniques and train your skills.
Now im also not a big sword fan, but this game makes me want to build a time machine and go back in time in japan and do this stuff.
The game is fun requires you to think about what fighting techniques your opponent is usuing and what counters them, when to block dodge or parry. Oh theres so much i cant say it all.

In short if you hate button smashing lame games thats main selling points it half naked women and super insane fighting moves that dont make sense, Kengo:Master of Bushido is the closest thing youll get to your dream of a fighting game that makes sense, at least for now.