Globe and Mail game columnist Chad Sapieha provides impressions on Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage (which he calls a linear, four-level FPS), and Afro Samurai (which he says is a very average and repetitive hack 'n' slash adventure). Regarding Operation Anchorage:
"....Long story short, I was dissatisfied. The whole thing lasts about three-and-a-half hours and plays like four levels from an average--and extremely linear--first-person shooter. Virtually all of Fallout 3's role-playing elements have been eliminated in the expansion; there is little dialogue, no levelling up, and no weapons or equipment to collect (save the modest rewards given once you've finished the simulation). What's more, it's much too easy. Limitless health and ammunition stations are bountiful, virtually eliminating all risk.
However, the thing that disappointed me most was that this expansion did nothing to expand the Fallout universe with which I've become so captivated. Fallout 3 already explained that the Chinese had invaded Alaska and that the Americans fought them off. This downloadable content offers no further insights to this episode in the game's history, settling instead to merely illustrate how the Americans battled back-strike that; how they planned to battle back (this is, after all, a training simulation)-the invaders. No additional information is provided on why the Chinese invaded in the first place, nor are we given any clues as to the war's geopolitical ramifications. It's just mindless action...."
John GodGames Emus has released some new videos, showing Haze, Afro Samurai, Armored Core V and Clash of the Titans running in 4K on the PC thanks to the Playstation 3 emulator, RPCS3.
Whatever happened to Afro Samurai 2? After they took it off the digital store I thought they’d come back with an improved product
The framerate and rending were more of the concern over resolution for me, and I can see they are making solid strides. Haze runs pretty well and doesn't seem to have many graphical or audio glitches (one cannot say the same for Ghost Recon lol). Given Sony hasn't provided any real backwards compatibility options, this is something I might consider. I still have my PS3 hooked up if I have a hankering for some last gen goodness, but I also wouldn't mind playing those games with either increased resolution or frame rate, whenever the emulator gets to that point :-)
Banner Saga publisher Versus Evil are going to be releasing an Afro Samurai game, they announced this morning. The game is being developed by Redacted Studios for PC and next-gen consoles.
This is something unexpected! I loved the show and the first game was decent. I hope RZA does the music again for this game like he did the last one.
First one was cool
INtroduced the free cutting mechanic used in games like Metal Gear Rising
Love anything Afro Samurai. Wish they would make another film with soundtrack by RZA again.
Hope they've got RZA and Samuel L. Jackson (or at least a damn good impersonator). Just wouldn't be Afro without those guys behind it
Samurai games are fun to play because players are able to play as one of not only history's greatest warriors.
I appreciate the comments, negative and positive. Since its an opinion piece, everyone's opinions are different and not everyone is going to agree. Kessen was also a good game too. The list could go to Top 6, Top 10, Top 20, Top 50 and so on. There are many samurai games to decide from and could be difficult to choose for the top 5.
Please add your own Top 5 Samurai Games to the comments.