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Very beautiful game with high production values.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 38 / 40
Date: September 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is an excellent game that captures the feel of the samurai very well. It is also the most graphically beautiful game yet on the ps2. Although the lack of Widescreen support is what lets it down. You see the whole game is with Japanese voices witch is great, although if you have a widescreen tv the subtitles will be cut off unless you watch it squashed, this is lazy from the developers, they could have added 16:9 and 480p easily.

The cut scenes are plentiful and very well done, the music is perfect and captures the feel of every scene and mood. Also despite what some people might think this game isn't that short as there are extras after you complete the game much like Onimusha.

The gameplay while not greatly detailed is fun especially the counter hits where you have to press the attack button when you are just about to be struck. You can also shop for weapons and armour and build up your character with exp and levelling.

A worthy purchase and head and shoulders over poorly made garbage like MK Shaolin Monks.

Extremely Underated Game.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 19
Date: January 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I have to admit, I was looking forward to this game over a year ago when the first screen shots and trailers came out. And after buying it and playing it through, this Genji didn't disappoint in the slightest.
First of all, the game looks and sounds fantastic. One of the best games graphically for the PS2. Despite tepid reviews, the action comes pretty fast and furious, despite the ability to pull a Kamui, or slow down time to quickly dispatch your opponent. This is a very cool effect and it doesn't get old. It also helps to practice it as much as possible, because once difficult mode is unlocked, its the only way to survive in absence of levelling up and finding health items.
Speaking of difficult mode, the game has tons of replay value, contrary to what has been mentioned. The RPG elements allow you to search for hard to find weapons and armor in continuous mode, and difficult mode is a real challenge. Mastery of Kamui and Mind's Eye techiniques are a must if you want to survive and finish the game in this mode.
I have to say that my favorite thing about this game is its almost straight action, with some RPG elements to give replay value. There isn't alot of backtracking to add length to the game, not alot of platforming, or puzzles to drive you nuts. So if your into action, or just love Samurai, give Genji a try. You won't regret it.

Beautifully flawed

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 13 / 20
Date: September 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Bottom line: if you love samurai games this is a rent and if you really really love samurai games this is a buy used. The potential to be an excellent game is there, and ultimately, that is why it is a let down.

The game is simply beautiful to behold and listen to. It is a feast for the eyes and ears. You will get sucked into the story and swept away. This only lasts so long and, this is not a long game either, and once past the surface the game is a bit of a let down.

The heart of the problem is you never really feel like the samurai you are. It is a beautifully housed and dressed blade with no edge. 'Genji' looks great but it is ineffective and has no samurai soul.

Why is that? It's because the game play itself, the combat system specifically, is simple and shallow at best. This is hack and slash, and I like hack and slash (Samurai Warriors), but this game deserved a different treatment (or at-least more to hack and slash through).

The 'now I'm gonna slow down time and kill you' aspect of the game is really cool the first 10 times. I found it to be pretty satisfying but not as rewarding a feeling as the tate system in 'Shinobi' (for PS2) or just one simple kill in a more complex combat based samurai game (the 'Bushido Blades', 'Kengo' or even the 'Way of the Samurais').

Here in 'Genji' I am never scared in battle. I get more riled up playing 'Samurai Warriors', trying to stay alive amid the horde, then I do facing off against four combatants in 'Genji'. That's just not right because 'I look so good' (or atleast my character does).

Your accomplishments will be small: "Woo hoo killed all them. Excellent I used my Kumi power on the boss and got an item."

The only reason to play deep into the game is to see some of the levels, and if you get an itch, power up one of the characters to a super insane slashing machine. Beautiful but a little disappointing.

When, oh when, will a good samurai sword combat system meet an rpg like hack and slash? (This game isn't, and no, Onimusha was not either.)

Fun = 3 stars (too simple and shallow)
Overall = 4 stars (3 + 1 for the samurai theme)

"Dawn" of a fun, if brief, gameplay experience...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: October 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

"Genji: Dawn of the Samurai" takes a cue or two from the "Onimusha" playbook, though it actually exceeds the two latest entries in that series. Yes, it's another samurai hack and slash on a PS2 full of 'em, but it's easily one of the best. If you are at all a fan of such action games, or just action games in general, you would be remiss if you skipped "Genji."

The storyline centers around a young samurai and his hulking sidekick as they embark on a mission to collect power-granting magic orbs and defeat the bad guys who would use said orbs to gain ultimate power and bring fuedal Japan to the brink of chaos. This too is standard stuff on the surface, but one peek beneath and there's actually something far more interesting going on. The plot, though ultimately disposable and perhaps a little too long-winded for its own good, is solid and lacks the hyper melodrama found in most games in the genre -- and that's a blessing in its own right!

"Genji" grants you the option of playing as either the aforementioned young samurai, who is speed and finesse incarnate, or his gigantic companion, who makes up for what he lacks in both speed and finesse with titanic strength. The combat in the game is responsive and satisfying, especially when you factor in the special focus mode that allows you, if you're reflexes are sharp enough, to instantly kill several opponents with one good stroke. It's good stuff, to be sure.

The graphics on display are crisp and stylish, even if they do portray a fantastic, slightly anime style ancient Japan that we've already seen before countless times. The sounds effects do their job admirably as well, accompanied by some music that fits the themes of the game perfectly. Excellent cinematics further round out the impressive production values.

The game's primary weakness is its length. This one doesn't last all that long. And, again, the samurai hack-and-slash is a derivitive action sub-genre that holds very few surprises. That said, if you're a fan of these types of games, don't miss this one. It delivers where most falter and languish in mediocrity.

Very High replay value

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: May 14, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This might be my favorite game on the PS2. It has a great feel to it. The best games are ones that allow you to improve at a skill as you progress through the game. It's not just about collecting a better weapon or a better set of armor...which this game has plenty of. But, it's about improving your own skill in the game, your reflexes or observational skills.

Oddly enough, I actually learned something spiritual near the end of the game. Since this game was able to touch me in an emotional and spiritual way, it has definitely earned 5 stars, at least in my book.

shortfall for a game that could've been awesome

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 30, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I loved this game when I first started it. I then checked some reviews, some here some there, and the general consensus was that the game is short. Believe me, it is! I thought I was about half way through when all the sudden, the last hench was down and the game was over.

I wish Sony developers could've developed the plot more and created a greater climax, but that may be just me getting spoiled by Devil May Cry and Onimusha.

Genji

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: May 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I give this game 5 stars because the graphics are amazing! However the story line is too short. i still think it is one of the best hack and slash games out there and definetly worth the money.

Onimusha's true contender

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 04, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I've played the onimusha series for a while now, i thought i'll never see a samurai series that looked so good and so great, but thanks God i was wrong, if you like samurais and katana and wakisashi fighting, this is your game, it's the answer from sony to capcom, we can do it too. Great Graphics, incredible sound, amazing scenarios, this is just the game of hack and slash that you've been looking for. Simply one of the best

A great hiden teasure!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 19, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Genji is a fantastic game, pros: grafics, sound, History line. cons: no too fun, some repetitive. but overall is a greates games for PS2.

Duped...Again!

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 1 / 8
Date: May 07, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I am sure that if I had done a little "research" on this game, I would have found that you need one of those "guides" in order to even try and complete it. I have gone to walkthroughs, cheats, and everything else and nothing helps. I am hopelessly stuck in one spot.

The game graphics are nothing short of phenominal; in fact, the entire game looks great. It's just so disheartening when you find yourself stuck, and nothing you do solves anything. There is no number to call for help. I spent good money for about 1-hour's worth of gaming.

I won't be fooled again.

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