I’ll admit I might have been overly skeptical when I first heard the words “afro samurai.” As a long time fan of the samurai film genre and the occasional viewer of anime, I felt it was my obligation to give this movie a fair chance. I loved it. It was violent and convoluted heavy with metaphor and surrealism, highly stylized and, for lack of a better term, very sexy. It had all the components necessary for an instant classic. The juxtaposition of medieval Japanese warrior culture and off the deep-end sci-fi made my mouth water.
That said I was equally skeptical as my wandering through the local GameStop led me to a box labeled Afro Samurai. I narrowed my eyes; I might have scowled as well. I’d heard there was a new film coming out, but an Xbox 360 game? Weren’t they jumping the gun? The little GameStop boy, Seth, noticing my consternation, charged forward with a chipper “Can I help you Sir?”
The video game places love adults. We’ve got the cash, and they don’t need to card us. Suppressing a snicker, I said unto Seth “Why yes! Have you played Afro Samurai for the Xbox 360?”
Seth replied in the negative. But his buddy had… when they bring up their friends, a buddy who played, a cousin who liked it, a sister’s boyfriend who thought it was a great game… you know they are just quoting from the latest issue of Game Informer or whatever rag they have laying around the store.
I listened to his list of fabricated testimonies with feigned interest and the dutiful “uh huh” and “hmmm.” I told him I needed to think on it for a bit, and he left to ponder.
Skeptical though I was, the Bushido would not allow me to pass up this game. I felt honor bound to support such a noble endeavor by a little known studio. Further, I’ll admit, I often pay full price for games that I know will be “B” at best. I had no real reason not to purchase Afro Samurai.
And I’m glad I did.
The opening animation instantly brought to mind the paradox of Zen mysticism, the nothing of existence, and the violence and anger that must stem from the restrictive warrior culture of the samurai.
I was instantly enthralled. Reliving that feeling of excitement and wonder I’d first experienced when I saw the movie, Afro Samurai. An hour later, when I entered a bosses’ lair and was confronted by three, topless, pole-dancing, sword-wielding ninja women, I knew this was going to be a game I’d enjoy from start to finish.
Technically, it’s not perfect. The camera seems to not track like it should, and I’m finding that often my field of view is obscured. During combat, I’m frantically trying to slide the camera to another angle. Tutorial messages are only onscreen for the briefest of times, and moves tend to subtle, combos blending perfectly into regular attacks. I find myself saying “Did I do that?” Currently I’m stuck trying a combo that will throw my volatile opponents into a big power generator.
Regardless of these minor flaws, this game is everything Prince of Persia should have been. The cell-shading animation style works perfectly for Afro, and the ability to literally slice an opponent in half lands somewhere between Conan and Musashi. Blood is tracked by gallons, and the audio track is not the sensitive. Afro’s alter-ego (played by Samuel L. Jackson) has a mouth that would make a sailor blush. Overall, not for the faint of heart (or those under 18), but a great game.