Rise of Kasai

by Sony

Product Features

• Players can assume the role of Rau, Tati, Griz, or Baumusu, each with their own weapons, deadly combos, and unique animations
• Single or multiplayer action as you cook up strategies that will cause the most carnage without getting you noticed
• 10 captivating levels and numerous collaborative fighting stages
• Use armed and unarmed(stealth) combat to fight opponents - along with mystical abilities for more strategic gameplay
• Immersive game design requires strategy -- progress from one combative puzzle to the next and figure the best weapon & attack for each situation

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004TN1Z
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 7 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 8, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,399 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Rise of the Kasai is the prequel and sequel to the highly acclaimed The Mark of Kri. The struggle to protect the dark magic of Kri from spreading returns,with four playable characters, each with their own menacing weapons and deadly combos. Unique collaborative gameplay pairs you with a fellow warrior, making teamwork essential as you scout, plan and fight your way through breathtaking 3-D environments. This time, the only way to preserve your future is to fight it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected given the overall low reviews on the game sites, July 13, 2005

By 

J. Leigh "jleigh7" (chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Rise of Kasai (Video Game)

Pros:
- Similar to Mark of Kri in mechanics.
- A little more violent than its predecessor.
- Now includes level bosses and deeper stealth play through the introduction of Rau's sister, Tati.
- Most levels involve cooperative play with a computer partner.
- Playing with a computer partner is better than I expected. There are times when you just want to let your partner do most of the work while you hang back and throw knives or shoot arrows from a distance. Or you can take out the horn blowers before your partner runs in to take everyone out.
- Hint: if you don't want your computer partner to go charging into a fight, make sure you are in unarmed stealth mode. This will tell your partner to do the same.
- Partner AI seems decent for the most part but sometimes it ignores enemies it should be fighting- especially annoying during boss levels.
- Tati's ability to stand against a wall and then fade into it adds to the stealth aspects of the game that is quite enjoyable. Guards can walk by and cannot see you.
- Also Tati's ability to throw or attach poison mushroom bombs to surfaces (including people) and have them detonate when they are near someone makes the stealth aspects a bit more strategic. For example, you can plant mushrooms where the guards will appear through a door and deliberately walk into the open just to lure them in. Also you can attach a mushroom to a guard and when he walks by his comrades it will detonate killing them all or knocking them all unconscious.
- Cutscenes are far more elaborate but animated in a consistent cartoony style.

Cons:
- Story jumps about a bit and can be difficult to follow.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars how to make a sequel- don't try to fix what's not broken, April 18, 2005

By 

Cenk Sumen (NY, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Rise of Kasai (Video Game)

This is a fitting continuation of Rau's saga. All the concepts, stunningly original art and fighting moves from the first game have been retained, and considerable depth is added to the game by having two characters (hence two paths) for each level. There are two types of characters, what I would describe as the barbarian (Rau/Baumusu) and the assassin (Rau's sister Tati/old Griz) classes each with their own signature moves and weapons. The elegant timed combo system from the first game has been kept intact, so having played Mark of Kri one can jump right in and deliver crushing Fua Usu Faahus at will. The plot is expanded upon the first in the series, and jumps around in time and hence is confusing at times, but I have yet to finish the game so I'm sure things will become clearer with additional revelations of the plot.

Very enjoyable game overall. Definite keeper, and a good deal for the price.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunate..., November 6, 2007

By 

Charles B Valentino - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Rise of Kasai (Video Game)

Before playing this game you should play the preceding title of the series "The Mark of Kri" which is a truly fantastic game. It introduces a beautiful atmospheric world, unique controls, great action, and an interesting story. One of the best title's I've played for the PS2.

That said, I have a bone or two to pick with the sequel here. I really wanted to give this game a shining review but I have to be honest with you. For the record I found this game to be quite beautiful like MoK and the controls were very much alike. I became accustomed to fighting alongside a computer controlled ally and learned to like it. I played as the new characters and came to like them too.

The painful things about this game are the bugs/glitches! I've played a lot of PS2 titles, I can safely say that even among the worst titles I've played, none of them had this many bugs. What happened Sony? Did you pull the plug on this one and rush it to store shelves? Here's a list of bugs I have experienced commonly in this game:

1. In stealth mode, half the time, enemies somehow magically see you when you're completely concealed around a corner.
2. Floors disappear and stay gone during play, and make you appear as if you are walking on air. Sounds cool but it isn't. It's sloppy.
3. Sometimes when you flip a switch and you computer ally attempts to flip it too, door jam closed instead of opening for you.
4. Your character gets stuck in a wall sometimes permanently.
5. When attempting to complete level challenges such as completing certain combos on enemies, the correctly and successfully performed combos will go undetected after dozens of attempts. (this one really irks me)
6. You computer controlled partner freezes in place
7. The entire game freezes.

It's heartbreaking really. I love the series and the story but I can't help but get really frustrated at the sloppy programming behind this game. I expect more from Sony, especially since MoK was such a wonderful game. Try it at the very least.