Looks can be deceiving. How many times have you heard that one? Well, such is the case with Genji. The game looks spectacular. It looks as though this could be one hack n’ slash that stands out from the crowd by doing something new and unique. And with the folks at Game Republic behind it, you’d be wise to make those assumptions. And while it is true that Genji is a satisfying romp through feudal Japan and is among the more beautifully executed games on the PS2, when you get past all that fancy window dressing, what you find is a fun, yet clichéd hack n’ slasher that is all too brief.



You’ll find all sorts of borrowed and familiar elements here. The fixed camera and excessive blood of God of War; the ancient Japanese elements of Onimusha; and the hokey story, character development, and status building of…well…just about every other game on the market. The game brings all of these elements together well, but the game never stands out on its own.

Genji doesn’t present the challenging combat mastery of Ninja Gaiden, nor does it contain the compelling characteristics and action-packed nature of Devil May Cry. It meanders around a been-there-done-that plot consisting of heirs to dead clans and a magic-collecting fest that doesn’t feel fleshed out enough to make it compelling.



All that being said, Genji is still worth your time – although not at full price – for many reasons. The combat is very precise and oftentimes quite satisfying. Genji employs a “bullet-time” –like element that allows you to read your enemy’s actions in order to slice and dice them at the perfect moment. While taking on hordes of enemies can be a matter of strategy and acrobatics, boss encounters are unfortunately not as compelling, as the patterns are generally easily discovered.

Genji also excels in the presentation department. The traditional Japanese instruments are all there, creating a believable and immersive world. Voice acting is also very well done, as they thankfully left in the Japanese dub and went with subtitles. These little details make all the difference when combined with the lush, beautiful artwork of the game. From the cherry blossoms blooming to the feudal architecture, this game is a site to behold. However, some instances of jaggies and graininess make solid arguments for the next generation of consoles. Fortunately, Genji 2 is already in the works.

Unfortunately, this pretty packaging will only distract you for so long from the fact that Genji is an extremely short, extremely clichéd game. Average gamers will complete the quest in less than a weekend, even considering the hidden areas and extra items there are to be collected. And based on that fact alone, it’s hard to recommend a purchase at full price. Look for it in the bargain bin or seek out a rental instead.



Article By: John