Archives by Day

Afro Samurai

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre: Action/Adventure
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Developer: Namco Bandai Games

About Rainier

PC gamer, WorthPlaying EIC, globe-trotting couch potato, patriot, '80s headbanger, movie watcher, music lover, foodie and man in black -- squirrel!

Advertising

As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.





'Afro Samurai' (PS3/X360) Character Bios

by Rainier on Nov. 17, 2008 @ 4:42 p.m. PST

Afro Samurai is the cutting edge game that delivers a new kind of cinematic game experience, a living episode that offers addictive, immersive and compelling gameplay thatÂ’s literally dripping in style. Join Afro in his epic hunt for revenge to avenge the murder of his father by the current owner of the #1 Headband. Afro Samurai blends traditional Japanese culture, funky technology and hip hop to create a brutally fresh interactive experience. The hit, animated TV series now comes to life!

In Afro Samurai, follow Afro in his tale of revenge as he searches for his father's murderer and the holder of the coveted number one headband. The game follows the plot of the original anime series with added material and background for fans and new comers alike.

He who possesses the #1 Headband, will rule the world! Afro Samurai is the cutting edge game that delivers a new kind of cinematic game experience, a living episode that offers addictive, immersive and compelling gameplay that's literally dripping in style. Join Afro in his epic hunt for revenge to avenge the murder of his father by the current owner of the #1 Headband. Afro Samurai blends traditional Japanese culture, funky technology and hip hop to create a brutally fresh interactive experience. The hit, animated TV series now comes to life!

Blood is beautiful in this hip hop infused action adventure as Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role as Afro and Ninja Ninja, his wisecracking sidekick. A striking cross-hatch art style gives Afro Samurai a truly unique look and feel across beautifully animated open environments as he wages war against his adversaries to become number one. Using an innovative gameplay system, enemy A.I. is affected by the beat of the musical score supervised by The RZA of Wu-Tang Clan fame. These dynamic battles ensure stylized encounters throughout the game that affect the overall tone of gameplay. Slice and dismember opponents as Afro acrobatically leaps from one location to the next, interacting with anything and everything in the environment to help him on his journey.

Afro Samurai

"Where is Number One?"

Only the warrior who wears the Number Two headband has the right to challenge the Number One, and only with the Number One headband in his possession may a man become a god, so the legend goes. But Afro Samurai seeks the Number One simply with vengeance in mind, for the greatest fighter in the world is also the killer of Afro's Father.

Pursued by all men who desire the power of the Number One headband, haunted by memories of those he betrayed and killed to become Number Two, Afro can never rest. If the Number One is closest to heaven, the Number Two is surely closest to hell.

Justice

"Challenge me, when you're ready to duel a god!"

The killer of Afro's Father and now ranked as Number One – a God on Earth. Monstrous yet somehow beguiling and charismatic, Justice is the catalyst for Afro's odyssey of killing and revenge. With a single act of violence Justice has wrought sorrow, pain and death on the world he presides over as God.

Ninja Ninja

"Thinking about your pops huh? Which part – the head or the body?"

Afro's herald, hype-man and a real trash-talker; Ninja Ninja bears witness to Afro Samurai's search for Justice. Ninja Ninja is a force of nature - mischievous, highly-strung and dangerously irresponsible. When stuff goes down he'll split as fast as his thin veneer of cool. It's sometimes hard to tell if Ninja Ninja is an ally or an enemy.

Sword Master

"This is the world you have made – is it everything you hoped it would be?"

Following the death of his father, Afro is found and taken in by the master of a Sword School. As he comes to understand Afro's dark past, Sword Master attempts to dissuade the boy from pursuing his father's killer and to live a normal life, creating a conflict that only serves to push Afro further along the path to vengeance.

Jinno

"Afro… What did you do?"

The senior student at the Sword School, it's Jinno the other children look up to and with good reason. He is fiercely loyal to his friends, and Jinno considers Afro a brother. That loyalty is ultimately Jinno's greatest failing. As Afro secretly pursues the Number Two headband, Jinno covers for him, risking the lives of all at the Sword School.

Otsuru

"Afro, I got something for you…"

Like all the children in Sword Master's care, Otsuru is an orphan. She clings to Jinno as tightly as she clings to her teddy bear, but perhaps it is Afro she truly idolizes.

Sasuke

While not a rival to Jinno and Afro, Sasuke knows he is no match for their skills. As a result, the Sword Master's respect and approval is of huge importance to him.

The Daimyo

"What are you looking for, Afro Samurai?"

Administrator for the region in which the Sword School stands, the Daimyo is wealthy and ruthless enough to do whatever he wants, without question. His advisers pander to his demands while covering up the consequences of his actions. The Daimyo's sense of what could be considered 'normal' is severely compromised. Above all he is a pragmatist who believes that action matters over intent.

Okiku

"Your dreams are so sad…"

A mysterious silk-maker with a troubled past, Okiku lived in exile on the edge of a bamboo grove in a remote valley. As she nurses Afro back to heath she finds in him a kindred spirit, and perhaps a chance for redemption. Okiku; beautiful as an autumn sunset and just as full of sadness. And like the sunset, darkness follows close behind.

Kuma

"Who… am… I?"

Travelers tell stories of the mythical bear-man said to haunt the great red gate that sits high on Mt. Shumi. Kuma, whose weeping and wailing makes the wind itself howl with sorrow. All who wish to pass through the great gate must first face him and answer the riddle of the bear man; "Who… am… I?"

Kuma doesn't remember what he once was, and he doesn't question what he has become. His only memory, buried deep, is a single image of a child and her toy bear.

Features:

  • Unparalleled Star Power – Samuel L. Jackson stars as the voice of Afro Samurai and Ninja Ninja along with a musical score by RZA of Wu-Tang Clan fame and Chuy Gomez, famous DJ and hip hop music expert
  • Dynamic Character Movement – Afro interacts with anything and everything in the environment in beautifully animated open world environments
  • A Tale of Revenge – Afro Samurai follows the exploits of the original series and includes new material and background for fans of the series and newcomers alike
  • Blood is Beautiful – A striking art style, shading and texturing that give Afro Samurai a truly unique look and feel
  • Style and Rhythm – Innovative gameplay system where the music affects the enemy AI and the tone of the gameplay
  • "Elegant Violence" – A balanced experience between stylistic combat and acrobatic platforming with the ability to dynamically slice and dismember enemies with ease The Batt le To Become #1 Begins!

Afro Samurai is scheduled for release in North America on January 27, 2009 and will fight its way into Europe in 2009.


More articles about Afro Samurai
blog comments powered by Disqus