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Kengo?

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 5
Date: August 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Ok so i bought this from gamestop used for like 5 bucks.And im not gonna complain and say that i wasted my money or anything like that but this game isn't that great.Sure i played it for awhile but it just got to boreing for me.I'm not gonna explain what you do or what its all about but i will tell you that the gameplay pretty much sucks especialy if your the type that likes free roam games.There are these mini games or whatever you wonna call them i gues to train your character or something i dont really know i didn't play it long enough.Well anyway the bottom line you should really really try before you buy.

(looks like it cool)

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 5
Date: December 10, 2001
Author: Amazon User

kengo looks like it cool.i played the game and the graphics look like p.s.1.when you fight,your arms are up in the air.if you like games like samurai type games,get onimusha:warlords or tenchu 2 there good games.

One glaring problem

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: January 16, 2001
Author: Amazon User

As fighting games go, this is all well and fine. It's got a nice fighting system with a variety of moves with a very simple layout. One button for attack, how's that for simple? However, you are able to customize your combos, of which you can store four different kinds, so you can truly create your own unique character with the fighting style *you* really like. You can combine moves from a variety of dojos making for a vast selection of custom combos to create. This game would have gotten four stars if not for one glaring problem. While you are free to create your own guy, and build him up the way you see fit, the game only allows one save. Unlike Ultimate Fighting, your friends can't create their own samurai and challenge your creation. That is simply lame. I have no idea how the testers did not catch that. This is all well and fine if you don't have friends to play with. While this makes it no different from many other fighting games, if you're going to allow a custom character, you should be able to share the joy.

If you like fighting games

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is cool for those of you who like fighting games. The graphics are great and the blood is awsome. Other than that this game can get dull verry quickly. I bought it and exchanged it for another, it is a rental.

Good and yet....not so good...

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: January 29, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is remarkably like watching Iaido kata being done between two people in a ring. The keys of timing, position, and changing "sen" (the line of attack) rapidly are brought out in full force, yet are transparent to the casual player. These subtleties are chilling and amazing when you play.

The movement of your characters is just like watching two sparring Kendo combatants battling. There's sidestepping and charging, backpedaling and slashing, etc. Obviously, your character takes a bit of time to move back and forth. This means that you can't suddenly explode across the screen like in DOA2 or other "fighting games." Your character moves like a real human being. Some folks call this "muddy," but I think it's one more layer of realism.

The only problem with this realism is that it doesn't necessarily make a fun *GAME*.

The sounds are ok...certain ones, like the crunching of gravel and the swishing of feet over loose dirt, are awesome and add whole layers of depth to the experience. However, the background is ominously absent except (as one reviewer put it) for that dang bird squawking in the background...once every second...for the whole match!

Other things that are disappointing: It takes a lot of time just to "raise your stats." You spend so much time in these mini-games doing button-mashing or repetitive stuff, that the fun value quickly begins to wane. One mini-game that's a surprise and delight: the one where you have to put out the candles with your sword....try it and get all seven or eight once you've earned your dojo's sword...trust me, I wasn't ready for it when it happened the first time! I quickly realized how much it improved the play of this particular mini-game (too bad it's the only one that has a feature like this).

What else: The tournament is ok...but I noticed that from the dojos to the tournament, the opponents get about 3x harder and faster. I can understand them being better because they're psyched up for actual combat, but it's incredible to see just how much faster they are when you challenge a dojo one turn and then battle them in the first round again on the tournament ground.

Overall, this game is a GREAT simulator of Kendo/Iaido...but it falls flat on its face when it comes to fun value for the vast majority of gamers. The repetition of mundane, dumb, button-mashing mini-games really saps fun value and the skimped-on background sounds and environment are disappointing.

This is a game that makes you feel like Bart Simpson licking caramel off a Neon Sign...*lick* yummmm ZAP!!! OW!.....*lick* yummmmm ZAP!!! OW! ;)

Smart, relaxing game for adults -- mentally challenging

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: April 21, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Like other reviewers, I found the strategy and elegance of this game compelling. At first, it was difficult -- so much so I gave it up for months. When I had more time, I returned to the game -- and within a week I mastered (well, I should be more humble: grasped) the controls. Kengo is nice because it requires you to really watch your opponent instead of barraging him with everything you got. At first, I had to do this to advance -- but once I reached a certain comfort with the game pacing, I realized I could allow my opponent time to recover and strike again.

This is a game, I think, that you can play for a long time -- slowly coming to terms with the user interface and matching its rhythm -- instead over overwhelming it with your nervous system.

Little things in the game, like the types of training, are ...yes, relaxing. It's amazing to see a game that actually relaxes you. The Japanese culture one experiences from the game is marvellous -- I only wish that they gave the various teachers of the schools more personality instead of having them say the same lines (with different voice acting). Definitely a good game to pick up and have in your library.

Slashfest

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: January 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

If you are looking for a massive slashfest this is your game. Controls are pretty simple and the learning curve for the game is farily low. The beauty of the game is the compition against other human opponents, the game allows for some epic battle against your friends. The single player game gets a bit old pretty quick. You have to train any 1 of 3 characters in 8 different dojos. Along the way you can earn different moves and swords that allow you to do different combos. During this mode you only get to fight with a wooden sword which is pretty lame. All the training comes in the form of button mashing which gets old after a while. The big difference in this game from the old Bushido Blade titles it the life bar. I thought this would make the game horrible but it after playing it all night I find that it really doesn't make a huge difference. Overall if you are looking for a game where you can trash talk your friends and have edge of your seat battles with them you might like this game.

A Great Samurai Simulator!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: December 30, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If what you want is 1 on 1 Samurai fighting, then look no further. This is pretty much the only game I could find which offers this currently and it actually delivers quite well! Despite bad reviews from most videogame mags/websites, I truly think this game was over-looked, because I could not find many bad qualities in the game. Just compare the gamer reviews to the editorial reviews, and you will see what I mean! Over-all, this is a descent Samurai fighing game, and if you like samurai, you will like this game. And for $20 brand new, it's a good deal!

Awesome

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 23, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Kengo: Master of Bushido is quite simply the best fighting game I have ever played, and trust me... I've played alot of them! It's graphics are pretty good, although at points they are a bit jagged. The gameplay is very realistic, and it really helps you understand a samurai's struggles to becoming a master swordsman. Although I must admit that the training does get frustrating at times, it is still fun. If you like slicing an opponent open and seeing blood splurt out, you'll like this game. Parents, don't worry you can turn off the gore in the options menu. The tournaments are pretty fun also, but playing the first person levels are better. I hope you'll have as much fun as I have.

One of the best

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: December 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I love kengo: master of bushido. I don't have a katana but I bought a boken immediately. The game basically takes a bit. I had fun in sort of imagining my own story line.

The fighting is the whole game. It is extremely fun though. I won the tournament but the game still wasn't over. It can go on for a long time. You can train or fight other men. You also fight other schools for their sword's and technique's. I started out in the thrusting school and grew to love it like it was my home.

There are tons of different moves and combos. you can customize your own combos. They are really easy to pull off and you always know it hurt the other guy.

Basically the game is fun though. I chose a guy and made up my own story. Katanas can only be used during tournament play or when you kill a master. But the game is extremely fun still. I really wish I could find a copy though. If you can, hold on to this rare gem.

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