Often reviewers despair for something new. We long for something fresh, a game that changes things up. You get one of those usually once per console sometimes once a year if we’re  lucky. A good game is fun, but a great game changes the ladscape of gaming and raises the bar for everything that comes after it. This is that game.

It has elements of Mortal Kombat and Tenchu smashed together. Exceptional graphics and mixed media that works together makes for some fantastic eye candy. There are fresh uses of many cel-shaded techniques and art styles. The backgrounds, the landscapes, and the buildings are all very detailed from every angle. I have yet to see the graphics break up. It switches seamlessly from black and white to rich colors. In areas where you have lots of brown, the characters with be dressed in blue and orange. Against a sunset sky of red and pink, the gray stones and green grass contrast. The graphics don’t wash out and blend into a nondescript soup as they so often do.

What it lacks in RPG game play it makes up for in other ways.There is out standing voice over work. Two of my favorite actors Kelly Hu and Samuel L. Jackson have roles. Unfortunately there isn’t a playable female avatar. Kelly Hu’s character is underused as a healer.

There is an over use of animated blood spatters. Why the bleeding bamboo trees? Instead of a health bar Afro glows redder as he takes more hits. There are no items or pick ups. That’s disappointing because without gold or other goodies, the reward has to come only from executing a good kill. That isn’t quite enough for any game. It should be more multi layered. What is with the teddy bears and the laughing child SFX that go with them? There are many unanswered questions, and many strange and quirky aspects in this game.

The music is a good mix too. This is everything that Samurai Champaloo should have been. There are tracks that rock out, some have a definate Asian sounding flair, and there are decent beats with interesting rhymes.

I am especially enjoying the bad language. I am bloody sick and tired of games being dumbed down for some politically correct notion. Adults epect to get what we pay for which is – entertainment for adults. Make sure no little kids get a hold of this one because the language starts right in from the beginning.

The female characters in the game unfortunately are the victims of guy – game syndrome though. It’s too bad that there aren’t selectable characters, both more male and more female the way that you do in Bleach. The females are relagated to femme fatales as the topless fighters who die quickly, and serve only as a distraction to throw Afro off while the male NPC’s hide.

Afro Samurai is an exciting hack and slash game with lots going for it. The complaints mainy center around the oddball camera and other control issues. There are some clumsy platforming areas where jumping and rope walking is required, and it doesn’t work all that well. You do lots of button mashing and the fighting is repetitive. I am never fond of splitscreen, but the way it is used is original if not effective. The game isn’t perfect, but it is a milestone like Okami was. This is one game where a sequel might really be the one to add to your collection. If you are  afan of the manga and anime you’ll want this one in your collection for sure. Try renting it because it is a good time even if it’s for only a weekend. I give Afro Samurai 8 gleaming lanterns out of 10.