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PlanetPS2 | Features | Reviews | Kengo: Master of Bushido Review
by: Jessyel Gonzalez | January 22, 2001


Kengo: Master of Bushido

Title: Kengo: Master of Bushido
Genre: Fighting
Developer: Crave Entertainment
Publisher: Light Weight Games
Release Date:1/3/01
Country of Origin: Japan
ESRB Rating: M

If there's a genre that both excites and angers me, it would have to be the fighting genre - a rather simple concept that typically executes well in the video game world. Then again, there have been only a few new, fresh ideas to change the concept of fighting where the match ends when someone's energy bar depleats. A PSOne title from SquareSoft -- Bushido Blade -- changed all that with a new way to play fighting games.

Bushido Blade introduced a fighting game where the goal wasn't to simply drain your opponents life bar, but rather use stealth, strategy, grace and power to defeat your enemy. The game didn't have a life bar, and it was considered to be one of the most realistic simulations of a fighting game ever. This continued with its sequel, Bushido Blade 2.

The first PlayStation 2 fighting title that resembles Bushido Blade has been released in Kengo: Master of Bushido; and the results are extremely disappointing to say the least. Now, the game itself is mediocre; but many factors of its development and history conclude a horrible package. The game was developed by Light Weight Games. For the uninformed, Light Weight Games developed the two Bushido Blade titles for the PSOne. Knowing this, I expected excellence in Kengo: Master of Bushido. But as mentioned, I ended up just plain sad with disgust.

For those who have played any of the original Bushido Blade titles, you'll notice some similarities between them and Kengo. There is a somewhat strong resemblance, including the gameplay, but there are many changes which ruin the title.

First off, my biggest complaint upon playing the game for the first time was the addition of life bars. Life bars, for God's sake! As soon as I turned on the game, and got into my first practice match, "What the hell are those things?!", instantly popped into my head. After playing a while longer, "What the hell was Light Weight thinking?!" also entered my mind. It doesn't make sense. Light Weight Games had a winner with Bushido Blade - Why change anything - especially for the worse?

Alas, this is the way it is, folks. Life bars are present in the game. For any other game, there wouldn't be anything wrong with this. In this situation, there is because of the type of game it's supposed to be, and given into who developed it.

It feels like Light Weight Games had only a month to develop this title. There is a rushed feel present, and it shows in every facet of the game. Something that may automatically turn gamers off is the fact that Kengo only has three gameplay modes. You heard right - three. There's the single-player, tournament and versus modes. Have you ever seen a game with fewer than three gameplay options? Practically every game includes more, and where others have succeeded, it only seems that Kengo can fail.


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