• Review: Samurai Sword Destiny (3DSWare)

    by
    Chris "WildCardCorsair" Garcia
    Published on 02-22-2012 11:41 PM
    0 Comments Comments


    Samurai Sword Destiny

    Developer: UFO Interactive
    Publisher: UFO Interactive
    Platform: Nintendo 3DS (3DSWare)
    Genre: Action, Hack 'n Slash
    Rating: Teen
    Release Date: January 5th, 2012

    Bushido hits the 3DS with the release of Samurai Sword Destiny. This is the first release by UFO Interactive on the eShop, but is by no means their first stroll in the woods. Can UFO, previous recipient of several awards for family friendly games, make a splash with this bloody tale of samurai vengeance?

    Presentation
    Akane is a Samurai in search of her kidnapped brother, Tetsuo. Unfortunately, those who have him seem incredibly reluctant to let him go and Akane must put her sword skills to use, dispatching feudal Japan's most heinous bandits, ronins, and crime lords. Her brother's life, and her own, depend on it!

    Graphics
    What originally caught my eye about this title was its design and graphics With a beautiful anime style character design for Akane, crisp character animations, and wonderful background environments, it's easy to get pulled into the aesthetic beauty of Samurai Sword Destiny. The levels range from a noir bamboo forest to a dark and evil cave, and although all the backgrounds are black and white, they impress more than they sound. The 3D even splits the top screen into background, middle ground, and foreground.

    In fact, the only lacking part of the visuals in this game is the repetitive use of enemy designs throughout levels. This is forgivable, to an extent, due to the number of enemies per level (which is a lot). Still, I do wish that UFO would have mixed it up more to make slashing these enemies more interesting. Not considering bosses there are only four different types of enemies, and not counting color schemes there's no variation at all between a ninja in the first level, and the last.

    Sound/Music
    The music in Samurai Sword Destiny, just like the graphics, are a high point to the title. The unique combination of Japanese feudal period style music with techno works amazingly well. There are different tracks for each major area, with slightly different music during intros the level and another for the title screen and main menu. The title theme is by far my favorite. In fact, if I could have paid the same $5.99 simply for the songs to this game I would have been perfectly happy.

    Gameplay
    Gameplay is certainly the most disappointing aspect of Samurai Sword Destiny. Swiping the stylus from left to right over and over is the bulk of what you can expect from this title. When you aren't swiping back and forth like a madman you'll be pressing buttons in time to deflect arrows, and moving back and forth to avoid boulders (yes, even indoors). Occasionally there are also boss levels, some with enemies that will not stop spawning until the boss is defeated. That's basically it!

    To make the hackin' and slashin' more bearable (or at least was the intent) upgrades can be purchased to enhance Akane and her sword. Her HP can be raised as well as her swords attack. Aside from that, a dodge roll can be unlocked; a charge-up ability for her sword, even a slow health regeneration can be purchased. The only problem is many of these do nothing to change the fact you'll still spend 99% of this game slashing back and forth with your stylus. Ok, that's an exaggeration considering the boulder/arrow missions but I think 75% is a good approximation. Either way I was very disappointed with the fact upgrades like the dodge roll are completely ineffective to use in this game (even the final boss's moves can be dodged with a well-timed sword swipe).

    The game can also be unnecessarily difficult at times. There is a button press three hit combo but it is completely useless as enemy attacks are not interrupt when you hit them, meaning if you stand still you will be hit by enemies no matter what. This is a frustrating fact and not only renders that combo unusable but adds a tedious and unnecessary difficulty to the game.

    Combine all of that with the fact the game takes awhile to build up coins to purchase upgrades really forces you to grind often. When grinding is as enjoyable as it is in this game, it really is no wonder the term is such a dirty word among gamers.

    Aside from the story mode there is also a Challenge mode and Survival Mode. These alternate play modes are unlocked as you play through the games story mode, and require certain missions to completed before more levels are added to them. These modes are 100% stylus swiping and makes you wonder why they would add more repetitious gameplay to a title already plagued by repetitiveness.

    Lasting Appeal
    Lasting appeal for Samurai Sword Destiny is dependent on your pain tolerance. I literally spent the entire time playing this game hoping and praying that it would get better. It did not. If you were to find this game enjoyable however, I expect you could spend a chunk of time trying to complete the alternate modes and unlock all of Akane's upgrades but even still the game's story missions are only an hour long, making this a painfully short title.

    Conclusion
    Samurai Sword Destiny is one of those titles that looks and sounds great, but leaves much to be desired. In fact, if this game could sell just about anyone on those two points, only to find out that's basically all you get. All but horribly clichéd and unoriginal gameplay that’s only real redeeming value is that is it isn't horribly glitched as well. eShop fans, you would do well to save your hard earned money. That is, unless you really just want a boring and receptive, albeit beautiful, poor Muramasa wannabe.

    Score:
    2.5/10

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.

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