AbstractIf you've ever dreamed of being a samurai warrior, complete with your own dojo, then you're in for a treat with KENGO: Master Bushido for the PlayStation 2. Here you can train with your dojo master, learning the skills and techniques of the true expert, and when you're ready, you will have a dojo of your own. As the dojo master, you can challenge other dojos, stage your own tournaments, or practice your moves against a friend. Sharpen your katana and step into the world of KENGO: Master Bushido.~If you've ever dreamed of being a samurai warrior, complete with your own dojo, then you're in for a treat with KENGO: Master Bushido for the PlayStation 2. Here you can train with your dojo master, learning the skills and techniques of the true expert, and when you're ready, you will have a dojo of your own. As the dojo master, you can challenge other dojos, stage your own tournaments, or practice your moves against a friend. Sharpen your katana and step into the world of KENGO: Master Bushido.
ESRB rating
 |
Animated Violence
Blood |
Full descriptionKengo: Master of the Bushido is the first sword game that positions you as a "Zen fighter". Set in feudal Japan, Kengo takes you through a rigorous apprenticeship and up the ranks towards the title of "Master of Bushido" (The Way of the Warrior). Hone your skills and learn new techniques - both in swordplay and inner peace - on your journey towards the emperor's tournament. Along the way you'll spar with master senseis, battle warriors, and engage opponents in the streets as you live up to the Samurai spirit.
Editorial reviewSource:
AmazonGamers may remember when
Bushido Blade hit store shelves for the PlayStation a few years ago. It was one of the first titles to break away from traditional fighting games by trying to cripple or instantly kill characters with one hit, rather than using a status bar to track the amount of damage done after each kick, punch, or parry.
Kengo: Master of Bushido is similar to Bushido Blade, plus it retains the generic health bar. It also has a Ki meter, which represents your ability to use special sword attacks and block your opponents' onslaughts.
The unusual aspect of this game is that you spend the majority of the time developing your warrior's attributes by fighting nonlethal battles with a wooden sword.
The game is chock-full of minigames. These are designed to enhance your character's stats and build endurance and power. But if you want to increase your abilities, you must actually fight and defeat opponents using the wooden blade. This will help you acquire the necessary fighting basics and allow you to move up to become a capable swordsman.
As you defeat the enemy dojos, you will get new moves, swords, and special attacks. New moves and special attacks can be inserted into your character's three-hit combo system--a very unique aspect of this game.
The culmination of all this training, though, is somewhat of a disappointment. You get to compete in a single tournament where real blades are used. The tournament only has a handful of fights, a surprise battle, and then the credits start rolling.
Just as in Bushido Blade, the combat is complex and offers up multiple parries and stances. The actual bloody combat, however, is relatively short-lived, which is bound to be very disconcerting to gamers looking for a hard-core hack-and-slash adventure. --Todd Mowatt
Pros:
- Attack moves and parries, learned throughout the game, add to replayability
- Customizable three-hit combo system
Cons:
- Character movement is difficult to control at times
- You spend most of the game training for one short tournament
Three gameplay modes; learn new techniques; create three-move combos; become your own dojo master; one or two players
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