Story/Plot: It's easy to judge the game on a cliche when we are talking about stories. I think I have said this more than once that originality is hard to come by in a world where the medium has a plethora of material. When we are talking about action games and archaic myths and the need to show vengeance through wrath, well, it's safe to say that Asura's Wrath will not give anyone some sort of a brand new day type of notion. However it doesn't mean that it wasn't engaging or something to be enamored by.
And it is safe to claim that our main protagonist has some major issues but it does echo all of the things that had occurred to him in the form of ostracizing him, betraying him, kidnapping of his daughter, and the murder of his wife. Suffice to say that the reason may have had some form of logic behind it, however the people involved seemed to have too much personal gain and not enough giving sense of attitude. And while that inner conflict amongst gods are trampling about, the world is in danger from being tarnished by the impure Gohma. The never ending coming of the colossal beast 'Vlitra', the deities have to find a way to permanently end its coming. Unfortunately their choice of doing so was out of gluttony and without the help or the consent of Asura.
While the game made a real adamant effort on making the player know that there is indeed a very dire situation in the world, Asura made it perfectly clear that his main priority was dealing with his demons and releasing his wrath to those who deserves such gestures. To me, having him be the main point of the story with such a very intricate lore involved helped out a lot. Now don't get me wrong, the mythos looming in Asura's Wrath piqued my interest in more ways than one, however I think if too much pointed in that notion and not enough on Asura's endeavors, it will probably take away form the game. I rather enjoyed the story that unfolded and with it about a 'man' vengeance driven and in the end realizing that succumbing to the darker side isn't the answer, well, cliche as it may seem, it is a recipe that never gets old, especially if done right. And in my humble opinion, Asura's Wrath did a fairly decent job.
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| Allies. Enemies. Friends. Comrade in arms. Brother. |
8.0/10
Gameplay: For a game with plenty of vengeance and an abundance in rivalries, it's biggest downfall in my opinion is its gameplay. Now that comment right there doesn't entirely mean I had a grueling time playing the game, in fact quite the opposite. The game on its own has the standard third person action with melee, long range, reactionary button sequence for counter attacks, of course the power attacks. There is the certain bar one has to build up to perform Asura's (or later on, Yasha's) ultimate attack; that said technique of obliteration will be dictated on the fight and the person one is fighting. 
Beyond the melee and the rather plethora of bashing in some mindless Gohma or foot soldier, there are the more third person shooter that happens sporadically enough. A very simple shooter that just requires one to be able to tap on two buttons until the said bar once again replenishes itself and then the said 'burst' bar comes on again! Not entirely too engaging, but to me, the amount of insanity in regards to visual kept it entertaining. I'm just relieved it wasn't for the duration of the whole game that they put that gameplay into!
But beyond those two basic mechanics of the game, I felt that there was very little 'growth' to indulge upon. That and the majority of the game was an interactive movie. QTE was aplenty! Now I know what one must be thinking since I just got over another capcom game with PLENTY of QTEs; but it's quite the contrary actually. The story is engaging enough to the point that I want to perform these QTE's, because I feel for Asura and I want to beat the living hell out of his assailants wether it be the beat them up portion or the movie segment of the game. |
| QTE! |
Again the exuberance in QTE isn't entirely shunned down upon on my end, my main complaint about the whole thing is the fact that I didn't feel that they spent a lot of time making the gameplay diverse. There was no 'growth' one would feel after a certain point VERY early in the game. While yes, it is an action packed game and the contrast in the enemies makes it appealing, but if I wasn't enamored by the story and how the aesthetics are, I think the gameplay would've been to stale. They got complacent with too much QTE's at times and the 3 variations of gameplay they have. And again, it wasn't terrible, but I would have to say that it wasn't Asura's main show!
7.0/10
Graphics: Right off the get go I was completely pulled in with the aesthetics. They combined the means of futuristic with a little bit of fantasy based deities to their palette and what came of it is a good contrast of magic and technology running amuck in a crazed, dying world. And while the environment is rich with the fusion of sci-fi and fantasy, characters don't fall too far from that intent. There is an obvious insinuation with Asura that he is part mechanic whenever his arms disintegrate(and it happens a lot!) But beyond that means, characters, whether we talk about the main antagonists or the protagonist, or perhaps just the mindless lackeys, they don't fall short in creativity since they would vary (to an extent).
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| Some bosses would be colossal and dangerous! |
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| While some battles aren't as apparent in contrast but full of vibrant colors! |
The effects are also set in proper tint in regards to well deserved special effects. When engaged in battle, one is always guaranteed flashy and an immense show of raw power in every turn and every corner. Elements are put into play, visage, and the right amount of out of this world deities to go against or fight with!
The story is also told between chapters in a very colorful and exhilarating art. With a mixture of anime and a bit of feudal japan like style, the mystery behind each chapter is engaged rather well; each character portrayed in their own respected right. The art itself gives each of the characters aside Asura the proper amount of color and distinction which really reflects their personality and their whole demeanor in the story. I'm glad they are able to convey such image not only in their gameplay, but in their in between story telling; again the story is the main attraction of the game, so having good art to adhere to it is rather pleasing.
In the end, this was probably my favorite part about Asura's Wrath. The strange quirk about this game for me is that, graphic wise, it isn't the most prestige; reminds me of Street Fighter IV with some touch up; what catches my eyes and allow it such a high score is the art behind it and the way they went about it. The good blend of two totally opposite flavor and the intriguing character designs, well, I say Asura was well worth on this corner.
9/10
Difficulty: There is nothing entirely too encumbering in this game when going through its hurdles and obstacles. Since I already said that the majority of the game was all about QTE, well the only thing somewhat difficult about the game IS the reactionary portion. Suffice to say, one's attentiveness to the game will either make or break the gamer's endeavor. But even when one fails the QTE, there is no real consequence. The story will go on and the only REAL ramification is the fact that the player will lose good ranking on the particular chapter s/he is in.
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| Timing and attentiveness is everything; even if you are only doing it for points. |
One thing I must say is that there should've been at least some sort of real dire consequence when missing QTE in the CGs. While not having failed too many of them and not realizing that there wasn't a consequence to reprimand such failure on the player's part, I always had that thought in my mind that I would fail the fight or what not... or at least lose a huge portion of my health, but in the end not so much.
Action wise outside the QTEs, well the bosses may be in varieties and there is enough battles to delve into, but suffice to say they weren't at all difficult in the setting I chose. If I did amp it up, I doubt there would be a substantial difference and beating the game would not have been too difficult. Even for a gameplay lacking upgrades or what not, this was somewhat of a breeze.
6/10
Voice Acting/Audio: The one thing I noticed about a game that is whimsical in aesthetics is that the dialogue ISN'T that in depth in originality, nor is it that engaging. In fact some was a bit terse and a little bit more leaning into cliches. Words that fit the events of course, however in my opinion, for being of such caliber, one would hope that they have a bit more variety in the decisions of the way they use their language. But apparently not.
The voices themselves weren't too impressive, but I didn't find them to be subpar. They were mediocre and the one thing I really liked about the voice acting was that they fit every character immaculately. While the extensive use of hand gestures was a bit asinine in my opinion, each character really painted a persona that fit their animated self. I especially liked Asura's; it was deep, melancholy and laced with rage even at the most simplest of words. But most of the dialogue did come from painful grunting and barbarian battle calls since the game has an abundance in regards to skirmishes or what not.
The background music is what I found to be the grace of this particular segment of the game. It had enough upbeat rhythm but some of that archaic oriental vibe to make it flattering to the game's futuristic but ancient ambience. The dialogue in between chapters had that fitting 'lullaby' like tunes, while the battle scenes would evoke fast paced and a sense of urgency for the players. Again it's nothing too stellar to call it as the video game soundtrack of the year, it is however enough to fit in to the theme of the game. When something has that, well, it could hit the precise notes and there are some games that would only need a few background music here and there to keep a good pace in regards to music; then they just need to alter it to fit the situation.
7.5/10
Overall: In the end, Asura's Wrath offered not so much of a game, but an interactive movie (an exaggeration of course since it is very much a video game at most times). Well equipped with a good combination of aesthetics, a very lively protagonist, an engaging plot that elicits far more the vengeance, and a bevy of QTE's to make sure the player pays attention to the game at most times. I'd have to say that it isn't the perfect game if one expects the typical third person beat'em up type, but if one is just merely looking for something casual and not too demanding, then perhaps this game can cajole you into giving it a try. Again the biggest flaw for me is the gameplay, and again for a lot of gamers these days, that is the make it or break it; and I could be one of those people, however this game had enough quirk to make it worth my while without having a rhetoric complaint that the gameplay didn't offer enough. Again, in the end I had a very good experience and sine I just got done with another Capcom game, for me to give praise to one right after my sour taste from Resident Evil, well, that is a good testament that there is something noteworthy in Asura's Wrath. 
Be warned however, there is a lot of testosterone in this game. And a whole lot of flying fists.
And bondage that lasted for 12,000 years. Yup. Circulation problems to say the least.
Okay. That wasn't funny. How about a good score to make that all better?
7.5/10
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