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Tenchu -- Stand Back, Rau Is in Your Village...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: August 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is the closest game to tribal Tenchu that I've seen. The graphics are excellent, and the character modeling is spectacular, even the bird Kuzo. This game is very much melee-oriented; however, stealth is involved somewhat. Unlike other games, such as Metal Gear Solid 2, there are limited save points; however, you can choose when to save once you collect these save points ("save" scrolls). The controls admittedly are not the best, but you can adjust after an hour or so. Unlike Tenchu, however, you have a bird Kuzo to scout out the situation before you choose to attack. For example, you can choose to stealthily attack some and blatantly attack others. The focusing feature of Rau when he attacks is very innovative, and you can adjust to fight different characters simultaneously. The environments in this game resemble Metal Gear Solid, in that you do have limited space to move, but you can move freely. My favorite things about the game are several. First, the use of Kuzo as your eyes in the sky is cool. You can examine enemy movements from a distance. Next, the stealth animations are absolutely brutal. They make Tenchu look like child's play. For example, in a double stealth skill, he breaks the neck of one enemy and beheads the other LITERALLY. Even worse, in a single enemy stealth kill, Rau picks up the enemy and swings the enemy's head into the wall 3 times (!), smashing his head and neck with blood spewing everywhere. Tenchu never got this brutal; and Metal Gear Solid 2 never saw blood spatter like this. Lastly, the plotline via Disney characters and sketches makes this game incredible, and at this price of [$$], it is definitely worth it.

Sony made a valuable and unforgettable game. This game surpasses Tenchu (presently), Spiderman: The Movie and Batman: Vengeance in its gameplay, concept and stealth and the respective stealth animations.

One note: When you buy this game, this game has a Mature rating for a reason. Rau is absolutely and assuredly brutal and unforgiving, and blood will spill -- everywhere. Although the characters are very cartoonish, resembling Disney characters, the incredible brutality of Rau ups the rating into Mature.

This game for all action/adventure fans, especially Metal Gear Solid or Tenchu fans.

the mark of kri, more like the mark of shame

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: November 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

it is said that "the mark of kri" is new and innovative, but to me it is a real headache. the game begins well enough. you play as rau, a barbarian that has trained for years with your sword. and what a swordsman he is, among the stuffed dummies. yes rau hasnt seen real combat for he has been training at an inn with his master waiting for a chance to venture out into the real world searching for adventure. that day finally comes when the inn keeper tells you of some banditts that have been killing road travelers. this is rau's chance to prove himself as a true warrior and gain some fame. this is when you get your first chance to put your sword into something other than a stuffed dummy. when rau finally engages an enemy this is where the "fun" is supposed to begin but well...i would have more fun poking myself in the eye then use the combat system of "the mark of kri". you see, when you engage an enemy you have to use the right analog stick to focus your attention. when you do this an icon appears over the enemies head. it indicates what button to press to attack the enemy. additionally you can unleash combo attacks which again seemed like a great idea until you try to use them on your opponent. the enemies from the get go are tough, they block almost all of your attacks and they counter attack often. so pulling off a combo attack is nearly impossible. but the reward is somewhat worth it, for you get to see rau impale, mutilate and smash his enemies. on to the next portion of the game that is probably the best feature of all. the cinamatics are great. as they open one by one the scenes are drawn on parchment with a ink pen giving you something different and in my opinion helps to keep you awake. the game is very short and the final boss fight is just a quick button mash and a ending cinamatic which by the way is very anticlimatic. the graphics are ok and the environments are well done. but that just isnt enough to give this game good enough replay value. i am reluctant to buy the newest installment of the game but it looked like it had been imporved since the last. if you want my opinion i would avoide this game at all costs. i managed to snag it used for only 7.99, but after playing it i would only pay about 3.99 for its lack of entertainment. the mark of kri...deserves the mark of shame.

Why isn't Sony pushing this game like their other products?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: August 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

The Mark of Kri is one of deepest, most innovative and fun action/adventure games i've ever played. It's gameplay has elements of brutal (REALLY BRUTAL) stealth, and an equally fun good'ol hack'n'slash with an innovative new combat system good for pick up and play.
The combat system in this game is what really makes it shine (followed up by the stealth). Moving the right analog stick around will focus Rau (the huge barbarian you control) on a certain bandit. He will be labeled as X, O, or triangle; depending on what he's labeled, that will be the button you press to attack. Don't get me wrong though, button mashers will be hard pressed to beat this game, it does take skill to master the combos.
It's graphics are ironically funny. Even though The Mark of Kri has a cartoonish look to it, it still is an extremely gruesome game. The in-game graphics are gorgeus, moving at a steady 60 frames per second, The Mark of Kri is a beautiful title.
Even the voice acting is done fairly well, it may sound a little hoaky at times but for the most part it's very well done. And even though the story is nothing to write home about, it's an adequate reason to go beat the living [stuffing] out of some unsuspecting bandits.
Overal, The Mark of Kri is a deep, innovative experience, but at the same time it is a great pick up and play game. At the very LEAST rent this game a couple times, 8/10 people will find it more than satisfying.

11:43

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: August 25, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Eleven hours and forty-three minutes is how long it took me to beat this game. And I enjoyed every bit of time it took me to do so. Almost 12 hours doesn't sound like much, but in my old age (31), I am realizing I like the games that can be completed without devoting my life to finishing it.
This game has everything that makes a good action/adventure game - incredible graphics, good control, fantastic hand-drawn artwork, imaginative environments, befitting music to set the mood, etc...
A new feature to the action/adventure genre is the addition of the bird, Kuzo. The bird's ability to fly ahead of you and scout out the lay of the land is very cool and works very well.
This game has many moments of full-on combat with numerous enemies, as well as times when it can be played with Tenchu-like stealth missions. I enjoyed this game very much and will look forward to the continuing adventures of Rau and Kuzo.

An Excelent Hack and Slash Stealth Game?

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: August 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I just picked up my copy of THE MARK OF KRI today and at first I have to say I was disappointed in some ways. I just wasn't grasping the gameplay mechanics. About two hours later I thought to myself "give it another chance...". So I poped it back in and prepared for another round of fighting. This time I turned up the brightness on my television and that made it a lot easier to see.

Well two hours later I was still playing. I figured it out within a half hour. And once I found out how fun it was to play I was hooked. There is zero frustration to me. I die a few times but I keep going. It is so much fun to slash these Disney-like characters.

BUT it isnt perfect. They are some SMALL glitches in the graphics. Sometimes the gameplay causes you to get hit but several enemies at once. The AI is fairly challenging and doing stealth attacks will become second-nature to you within an hour. And the death animations are sick in a good way. The sound is fairly good along with the grpahics but the best part is its like a violent Disney cartoon with voices to match that format.

But as in any video game the bottom line is in the value. Is THE MARK OF KRI worth getting? Yes it is. The attacks will get teadious and using your bird Kuzo will eventually become a little tiresome. In the long run though you will get hooked on this game. Its worthy of some of the attention its been getting because its something new.

I wont bore you with the story details except saying you control a huge swordsman named Rau and his bird Kuzo. And you will be happy to know that you can unlock a few items such as new costumes for Rau by beatting levels. And there are only four weapons to chose from not including your fists.
Heres a rundown of the weapons:
FISTS:
Only good for sneek attacks and disarming enemies but the only thing is if you use disarm to much in a battle your enemies will become wary of it.

BROAD SWORD:

Your main weapon in the game but its length causes you to get hit more then if you use the....

TAIAHA which is a long spear or the BATTLE AXE.

When it all comes down to it playing games are all about having fun and this game is fun so I recomend it to any PS2 owners who dont mind a little blood and gore.

Brief but brilliant action.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

*illustrative story* You slide slowly along a crevassed wall, muffled sword bumping gently against your side. The dulled clang of armored feet rings falsely in your ears, an obvious trick of echo that could lead to a mistake your training would never allow. Your exhilaration rises with the jangled din, an opportunity you will not allow to pass. At the critical moment, you spring around the corner, grab your unsuspecting victim--muting his tell-tale screams with your swathed hand--pin him against the rough wall, and swiftly stab your sword into his caved throat, silencing all struggles. He slumps to the floor, a sightless, disgarded husk.*/illustrative story*

And this only describes the heart-racing feeling one should feel when performing a stealth kill! Imagine what an all-out brawl would inspire...this game, a work of deadly beauty, gaming bliss. I could describe the game mechanics in detail, but the synopsis already here does this well-enough. So I decided, "why not try to describe to people actually playing the game feels like?" Though I slightly exaggerated my description (in-game sound does not work in so sophisticated a way, but one can certainly imagine), I sincerely felt this way when playing. This game allows one to enter the body of a true brawler, one very capable and quite impressive to play.

The gameplay never became boring because the player has numerous weapons at her or his disposal and areas to explore. In this respect, I felt the game's short length actually worked to its advantage: how can one become tired of an excellent game that only lasts about 8-10 hours? The developers included much without having to resort to game-lengthing repetition. Though I desired more, this left me craving and only feeling residual sweetness...nothing marred my experience. This says something strong, I believe.

Considering this game's reasonable price, I highly recommend all who read this purchase it. I found it for $30, and never once regretted my buy.

Short but brilliant game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: September 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

In search of good game hunting, I've found the Mark of Kri. This game has an excellent tutor system through out the game makes much easier to play the game. You move like a ninja but you fight like a warrior. You seek and hide but you chop and slash. It's got all the great things you like in any great sword using action games except no jumping, no puzzles, too much health and too easy. You can hold block button entire time and you won't even get scratch unless an enemy is firing an arrow at you. This game would have been 5 stars if it had more manuvering capabilies and controlls...

Although it was a short and easy game, the Mark of Kri was brilliant.

The Darker Side of Disney??

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I know that the title of this review says Disney but let me say that this game is in no way related to Disney. However, the animation and still sketches that appear in this game look like they could come straight out of a Disney movie.

That being said this is not a cuddly game. The main character Rao can deal out more pain than should be allowed, and a lot of it involves hacking body parts off of his enemies. But the gameplay is much more involved than your average hack and slash action title. The combo system is deeper than it appears, and depending on what weapon Rao is wielding he can fend off anywhere from three to nine opponents at once. Rao can also use stealth to sneak up on enemies and dispatch them before they are able to raise an alarm, or he can try to pick them off at a distance with his bow and arrow.

To help Rao in his adventuring is his spirit guide, in the form of a raven, that can scout ahead to discover hidden enemies, flip switches, or find items. The raven, who's name eludes me right now, can also read ancient languages and can offer some insight into the story when the appropriate tablets are discovered.

To top it all off the voice acting is superb and fits very well with the cartoon like atmosphere and the people that Rao encounters at the inn where he gets his quests.

The only negatives that I can think of are that when Rao bumps into something he stops for a full second during which time the player cannot get Rao to respond. Also the load times are kind of long, between 10 and 15 seconds, but the load screens are not too frequent and have some very nice art to look at while the player waits.

There is so much more to this game that I cannot cover here for a full review check [URL], or get this excellent game and see for yourself.

Action on a large scale

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 09, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I got this game a couple of days ago. I am amazed by the graphics. They look like Ico but smoother and better all around. The story is really good for a game of this type, or for a game of any type. The narrorator seems like he actually cares and is really into the story (he is the person the the main character, rau, is now training). There are many ways for u to get the jo done, there are about 7 or 8 different stealth kills i think. And there are many combos that you can learn, and some that you can find on your own. One unique thing about this game is that you can make your bird go up to a perch and look at what the enemies are doing to get an advantage. The bad guys dont suspect anything because its just a bird. You have many option of which to attack. One complaint of mine is that it takes too long to switch between your weapons. There is concept art between load times, and they are fun to look at and you may not be done by the time that it is done loading. An example of the detail in this game is the feathers (i think thats wat they are) on Rau's pants will flow in the wind or when he runs and walks. They made it possible to do so many things and made graphics so good that you will want to finish this game for sure. This is truly how the PS2 was meant yo be used. This is one of the sleeper hits of the year, err, at least it seems like it, it might become more popular.

Best Game of the Summer

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 09, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I have found myself extremely disappointed in Games this summer - I found Spiderman boring and nothing new or exciting has come out recently. Then I decided to test my luck and buy The Mark of Kri.

This game is awesome. The graphics are great, the controls are just amazing, and the story line and action is wonderfully blended togethor to make for a great game.

It is a very straight forward action game, but unlike the rest this one is not boring. For instance, I was fighting three guys at once and the first guy I behead, I chop the arm off the second guy, and then the third guy I impale on my sword. No Joke. I was like, ...- what just happened!! Then a bad guy shot arrows at me and they arrows actually stuck in Kri's legs.

Plus you get to control a raven which is neat. The sounds also match each board along with different music. I had found In Spiderman that the game was better without the music because it kept looping the same sound, not Kri.

Great Game

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