Musashi Samurai Legend

by Square Enix

Product Features

• Slice through hordes of unusual enemies -- wacky things like voltrabots, ninjaroids, and arachnukes
• Innovative manga shading system draws colorful comic art images & objects in realistic 3D
• Talented voice acting brings the characters to life
• Electrifying theme song performed by the Surf Coasters

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007OGVXO
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 15, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,259 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #97 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Adventure
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com

Hardcore Square fans rejoiced when it was announced that the Brave Fencer Musashi series was coming back. I'm happy to report that these stalwarts will not be disappointed. In other reviews in this issue, I've taken games to task for sticking to staid design and plot clichés. Well, here's the review where I look like a hypocrite because, while it definitely features some well-worn concepts and plotlines, there's something oddly appealing about this game that keeps things feeling fresh throughout your adventure.

It's mostly down to superb execution. Square has implemented a character advancement and item system that rivals most full-blown RPGs. As expected, you can acquire new items and weapons, and improve your attributes in a number of areas. But what's really cool is how they've given you the ability to learn attacks from your enemies (á la Final Fantasy). By locking on to an enemy, you can instantly gain new abilities with a few well-timed button presses. It's ingenious, and adds a ton of depth to the proceedings. The deep and exacting combat is really at the core of what makes this a great game – especially in the gorgeous boss battles.

Aside from the combat, I found the story element – while not too original – very compelling. It's mostly due to the humorous dialogue, which hits that perfect note of classic Japanese whimsy and silliness. Little touches like being referred to by my instructor as "unripe melon" or having an enemy taunt me by exclaiming "I'm wicked popular!" brought more than a few chuckles.

While it does have its weaknesses (the levels are a bit generic and there was a bit too much backtracking for my taste), Musashi succeeds with great visual style, excellent humor, and rock-solid gameplay.

Concept:
A gorgeous and well-done sequel to a PSone cult classic

Graphics:
Cel shading is currently out of favor, but this shows how impressive it can be when done right

Sound:
Great score and funny voiceovers – too bad there's not more of them

Playability:
Platforming can be a little frustrating, but the combat system is primo hack n' slash

Entertainment:
Musashi overcomes its weaknesses with charm, style, and great gameplay

Replay:
Moderately High

Rated: 8.25 out of 10
Editor: Matt Helgeson
Issue: March 2005

2nd Opinion:
I was surprised at how charming I found Musashi to be as an action game, since it breaks many of the rules that I usually can't forgive – namely horrendous voice-overs and fairly repetitious gameplay. Even with these flaws the game manages to deliver a quality experience, which I would attribute to its fantastic art direction and entertaining boss encounters. It reminds of those mindless ninja games I used to play on NES for hours on end that really weren't that great or innovative, but delivered a nice serving of mindless hack n' slash with a heaping helping of the absurd. Musashi isn't for everyone. So I highly recommend a test drive before a purchase, but those that can look past its quirky story will be rewarded with a title that is a nice blend of Square Enix production values and good old-fashioned fun.

Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Andy McNamara


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Product Description

Musashi: Samurai Legend helps the legend live on, as you experience Musashi's latest journey! Called across space & time, Musashi mus save Princess Mycella and the Mystics to return home. But he's not alone -- with help from an eccentric but brilliant martial arts master, Musashi will become the greatest samurai ever known. With an entire world to save, he has his work cut out for him!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hacking and Slashing all around..., June 4, 2005

A Kid's Review

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Musashi Samurai Legend (Video Game)

This is definately a hack and slash game, meaning you have numerous enemies that you rapidly mash the button to defeat. Not that much strategy in the actual battle, although Musashi's duplication techinique may require some strategic timing, and can prove to be a bit frustrating at times.
The story is that a young man named Musashi from Earth's Japan, who will grow to be Miyamoto Musashi, is summoned to another world by Princess Mycella to aid in the battle against Gandrake Interprises. He's taken in by Master Mew and is trained in swordsmanship and battle. When Princess Mycella is kidnapped for Gandrake's own purposes, it's up to Musashi to rescue her and bring down the evil corporation so that he can return to his own world.
I personally adored this game because of the graphics and gameplay. The gameplay is similar to Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel's gameplay, and that's probably because both were Square Enix games. A lot of the square button mashing, and not so much of the "Slash, defend, slash, defend, backflip over the weapon, and a slash to finish it" stuff. The graphics are cel shading, which I find to be pretty darned cool when Musashi's doing his slashing thing.
Overall this really is a game worth getting because of the storyline, the characters, the gameplay, and the graphics. I must also say that the music done by "The Surf Coasters" was very cool, making it worth also gettting the soundtrack. Of course... the guidebook is also always a help in getting all the items and saving everyone also.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got a couple hours to spare?, April 2, 2009

By 

K. Leach (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Musashi Samurai Legend (Video Game)

If you're looking for an in-depth thought-provoker, you definitely have my permission to stop reading these reviews right now. However, if you have some free time or are looking for a game that's "just fun to play through," Musashi gets two thumbs up and 5 gold star stickers for that.

Admittedly traditional as far as concept goes, I found myself appreciating the game more because of its slight departures from the norm. Yeah, you've got your standard five-part plot-line going, involves swords and maidens, and who wants to bet the sword/maiden thing is element-based? Basically, if you've played your fair share of videogames over the years, you'll see this one coming a mile away--for the most part. At times, as I've said, Musashi is definitely a departure from your traditional five-step-PS2-product-with-a-couple-side-quests-here-and-there.

My personal favorite things about the game are 1) the graphics and 2) the characters. First off, since Musashi was advertised especially for its manga imitation (reminded me of Sly Cooper, on a more juvenile note), it's good to see that the visuals are surely easy to admire. (Personally, I always say go for the cartoon graphics, seeing as even after a decade, as long as you colored it right, no one will be cringing as they give old-school games a run-through on their backward-compatible Playstation6.) Secondly, the characters are fantastic: funny, interesting, unique, and well-scripted, somebody in the think tank is a good writer and it shows. Even you are bound to fall in love with Musashi--just like everybody else.

As far as operation goes, Musashi is not difficult to play. My only complaint set-up-wise is the fact that there is literally only ONE stationary save-point in the entire game. The overworld map is kind of confusing at first, but the learning curve is steep, and since Musashi is generally mostly a button-masher (I found that pressing "O" x 4 can easily become the leading cause of carpal tunnel syndrome in the U.S. and Japan) it's good to know things like: the controls aren't confusing or complicated, the camera angles are easy to manipulate, and most if not all obstacles can be avoided by simply running around. However, I will not say that Musashi is a game you can sit down to play straight through. It is a little challenging but the challenge is definitely fun.

My absolute favorite aspect of the game? Duplicating. That is, Musashi is a samurai in training and can learn new attacks by watching enemies make their moves. Really neat stuff.

Bottom line: good game. I'd recommend it to just about anyone.

3.0 out of 5 stars eeh, March 20, 2011

By 

Scrambles - See all my reviews

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Musashi Samurai Legend (Video Game)

This isn't the worst game I ever played, but it isn't the best either. in short its slow paced, simple, the story is good, and the voices for the characters suck. This game is the best I've played outside of the Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, and the Xeno series games, I give it that.