Seven Samurai 20XX Review

So, lacklustre plot, uninspired combat, little real skill required. Are there any redeeming features? Well, whilst traversing the levels and slashing away at foes, you will be bewildered by how very hard the developers have concentrated on putting flashy lighting effects into the game. Jean-Michelle Jarre would no doubt be impressed, for each of Natoe's attacks is imbued with a dazzling light-show ready to escape, especially when you rack-up strikes in Nitoh-Ryu mode. But whilst you or a casual viewer may 'ooh' and 'ahh' at the light-extravaganza, the trade-off is that the sparkly effects seriously hinder the frame rate and also visibility, making timing of blocks or sidesteps a matter of luck rather than judgement, thus eroding the already-threadbare strategy elements.

The casual viewer may 'ooh' and 'ahh' at the light-extravanganza

Sparkly lights aside, eye candy comes in the form of the Samurai and boss character models, which are clean and tidy and feature vibrant colours and variation in artistic design. The same doesn't apply to either the environments or the humanoids though, suffering as they do from being restricted to a horribly bland colour palette, and lacking any imagination or flair. Everything is far too angular (no smooth lines here), and too many of the humanoids comprise of only one or two shades or dark blue or black. The lack of detail is presumably to help control the frame rate issues, for there is no doubt that the PS2 hardware is being pushed hard by the pyrotechnics (as evidenced by the slowdown incurred when enemies and light-shows mix). You have to wonder, though, if the designers should have concentrated on improving the sub-par environments and character models, rather than putting on a veritable firework display.

You'll want him dead after hearing his rap song routine

Despite all of the problems with Seven Samurai 20XX - of which you can add long load times, frequent cut-scenes, lack of enemy AI and lacklustre sound - it is not a terrible game. The simple premise of hacking through scores of humanoids, trying to beat your previous highest-combo can be fun, in the same way that a quick sword-slashing session in any of the Dynasty Warriors titles can be. Sure, you won't come back to this in a month, nor have experienced a truly great gaming moment to tell your friends about, but it is simple escapism, and isn't that what games are about?

But ultimately you will be disappointed; for there are missed opportunities at every juncture. For example, with a cast of seven, why is control restricted to just one? Level structure, too, could have used some variation - different mission objectives would have provided a much-needed boost. The village defence level, for example, would have been a perfect setup for you to defend key choke-points, thus adding some diversity to proceedings. Failure to offer such variation leaves you with a game as shallow as a puddle in the desert in July. A chance to do something, anything, other than kill-move-kill would have been welcomed.

So when you complete the game - which will take around six or seven hours - what are you left with? A new mode of play, Survival (which allows you to fight the boss characters in order) is available, and a hard play mode becomes accessible. Unfortunately, there are no multiplayer options provided - no one-V-one swordfights, nothing. As already noted, completion allows a chance to play through again but with the added bonus of being able to choose the weapons Natoe wields. Though, given the lack of strategy in any particular fight, playing through again would be for the completists and masochists only.

Playing again would be for masochists only

So, Seven Samurai 20XX strolls happily down the path of mediocrity, and whilst by any means not a terrible game, it certainly isn't a good game. The repetitive slashing action adds nothing to the genre, nor does it have the strong narrative of the source material, with the only variety coming from pressing guard or block instead of attack. Seven Samurai 20XX is easy to pick-up and play, and will provide some modicum of entertainment for the brief period it lasts, but those looking for some depth and a more immersive experience should look elsewhere.