Genji,[b] released as Genji: Dawn of the Samurai in North America, is a 2005 action-adventure video game developed by Game Republic and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is loosely based on The Tale of the Heike. A sequel, Genji: Days of the Blade, was released for the PlayStation 3.
| Genji: Dawn of the Samurai | |
|---|---|
 The North American cover | |
| Developer(s) | Game Republic[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Director(s) | Takashi Shono |
| Producer(s) | Yoshiki Okamoto |
| Artist(s) | Keita Amemiya |
| Writer(s) | Toshiya Shibano |
| Composer(s) | Yasuharu Takanashi |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure, hack and slash |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Plot
editThe story follows the adventures of Minamoto Yoshitsune as he descends from his mountain retreat and eventually embraces a quest to defeat the Taira clan, thereby avenging his father. Early in his journey, he meets the Tamayoribito clan, led by Kiichi Hogen and his daughter Minazuru, who are the guardians of the Amahagane (天鋼) – stones of power that allow select individuals to release magical powers known as kamui (神威).
Gameplay
editGameplay is third-person combat, similar to what is found in the Dynasty Warriors series (produced by Koei) and Shinobi (produced by Sega). The player controls Yoshitsune or Benkei, and both characters are equipped with two basic attacks: Normal and Special. Yoshitsune is an archetypical fast and agile warrior, making up in speed what he lacks in strength. He is able to jump on small platforms (which, if jumped on by Benkei, would collapse). He wields two swords, and can double jump, and can use his sword to hang on ledges. Benkei is the more powerful but slower character, with greater range than Yoshitsune. He uses a large war club,[6] which can also be used to destroy certain structures and heavy doors in the game. Players can improve their characters by collecting experience and leveling up or by using Essences of Amahagane. Yoshitsune and Benkei both have a number of kamui bars under their health bar, proportional to their amount of Amahagane collected. While in battle, the character's kamui bar stores power for the player to release devastating attacks.
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 74/100[7] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Edge | 8/10[8] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 6.33/10[9][c] |
| Eurogamer | 5/10[10] |
| Famitsu | 32/40[11] |
| Game Informer | 8.5/10[12] |
| GameRevolution | B−[13] |
| GameSpot | 7.1/10[14] |
| GameSpy |   [15] |
| GameZone | 7.5/10[16] |
| IGN | 7/10[17] |
| Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | [18] |
| X-Play | [19] |
| Maxim | 8/10[20] |
| The Sydney Morning Herald |  [21] |
The game received above-average reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[7] In Japan, Famitsu gave it all four eights, for a total of 32 out of 40.[11] GamePro gave a favorable review to the game, commending its gameplay and graphics, and called it a great adventure game that captivates the players from start to finish.[22][d]
Notes
edit- ^ Additional work by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan.[5]
- ^ Japanese: ゲンジ, Hepburn: Genji
- ^ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 7/10, and the other gave it 5/10.
- ^ GamePro gave the game two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 5/5 for sound, and 4/5 for control.
References
edit- ^ IGN staff (August 16, 2005). "Official Press Sheet". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Dunham, Jeremy (April 19, 2005). "Genji Strikes Europe". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Bramwell, Tom (October 25, 2005). "What's New? (21st October)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ van Leuveren, Luke (October 31, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - 31/10/05". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on June 29, 2006. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "JAPANスタジオ作品一覧 2005年～2003年" [List of Japan Studio works 2005–2003] (in Japanese). Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2021. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ Benkei uses his super human strength to pulverize his enemies with a giant war club that is taller and heavier than most full-grown men, Genji: Dawn of Samurai Users Manual.
- ^ a b "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Edge staff (September 2005). "Genji". Edge. No. 153. Future plc. p. 92.
- ^ Speer, Justin; Ford, Greg; Sanders, Kathleen (November 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 197. Ziff Davis. p. 145. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Reed, Kristan (November 7, 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Khalid-S (June 22, 2005). "this week Famitsu Reviews". NeoGAF. NeoGaf LLC. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Matt (October 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai". Game Informer. No. 150. GameStop. p. 134. Archived from the original on May 24, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ Reilly, Mike (October 12, 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Mueller, Greg (September 19, 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ Padilla, Raymond M. (September 21, 2005). "GameSpy: Genji: Dawn of the Samurai". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 28, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Bedigian, Louis (September 18, 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ Sulic, Ivan (September 16, 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Scott, Ryan (November 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 98. Ziff Davis. p. 117. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Fischer, Russ (October 10, 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai Review". X-Play. G4 Media. Archived from the original on December 10, 2005. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Edwards, Greg (September 20, 2005). "Genji: Dawn Of The Samurai". Maxim. MaximNet, Inc. Archived from the original on October 24, 2005. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ Hill, Jason (November 3, 2005). "Traditional and structured". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2024.(subscription required)
- ^ The Man in Black (November 2005). "Genji: Dawn of the Samurai" (PDF). GamePro. No. 206. IDG. p. 110. Archived from the original on January 18, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2024.