Genji Slices on to PlayStation 2
Yoshiki Okamoto is not only making games for Microsoft; Genji is his new samurai-themed action game and it's coming to the PS2.
Microsoft scored a minor victory earlier this year when it signed Japanese games creator Yoshiki Okamoto, one of the principle designers for the Street Fighter and Devil May Cry series, to make games for Xbox 360. But Okamoto and his studio, Game Republic, will still be making games for other consoles, and one of these is Genji, a new samurai-themed action game headed to PlayStation 2.
In Genji, you play as either the legendary swordsman Genkuro Yoshitsune or his warrior monk compatriot Benkei and your goal is to free the downtrodden masses from the villainous antics of the warlord Kiyomori using a thundering array of fighting moves.
Okamoto brings his considerable experience with action and fighting games to Genji's battles, while enemies are given an extra helping of smarts thanks to new artificial intelligence created with the help of Japanese fight director Mitsuhiko Seike.
The fighting in Genji is in the vein of Devil May Cry and Capcom's Onimusha series. You can perform strikes and super movies in various combinations and there's also a slow-mo option should you want to unleash your bladed carnage at a more relaxed pace.
Genji will be released exclusively for PlayStation 2 later this year.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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