Asura's Wrath
- February 21, 2012
- CyberConnect2
- 7h median play time
Asura's Wrath is a game that has an almost equal number of exciting pros and baffling cons, but in its current state, it's not worth more than a rent.
Get on Xbox Games Store"Asura's Wrath" is a single-player Hack and Slash game with an awesome story, good mechanics, beautiful visuals, and an ingenious soundtrack. The game follows the demigod Asura seeking revenge on the pantheon of other demigods who betrayed him, presented in an episodic series of cinematic shorts with gameplay integrated as quick-time event button prompts. Inspired by Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, Asura is a blend of science fiction and mythology.
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- Asura's Wrath features a unique blend of Japanese mythology and science fiction, creating an engaging and original narrative experience.
- The game is visually stunning with breathtaking animations and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The episodic format and quick-time events provide a cinematic feel, making players emotionally invested in Asura's journey of vengeance.
- The gameplay is heavily reliant on quick-time events and cutscenes, leading to a lack of traditional gameplay mechanics and interactivity.
- The game is relatively short, with many players feeling that the true ending is locked behind a paywall for DLC, which can be frustrating.
- Repetitive combat and limited character progression detract from the overall experience, making it feel less like a game and more like an interactive movie.
- story87 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a central focus, often described as an engaging blend of anime-style narrative and hardcore science fiction, revolving around themes of betrayal and revenge. While many players appreciate the unique storytelling approach and emotional depth, some criticize the plot for being somewhat conventional and the gameplay for being secondary and repetitive. Overall, the game is recommended for those who prioritize story and visual presentation over traditional gameplay mechanics, though the reliance on cutscenes and the need for DLC to complete the narrative may deter some players.
“The game tells the story of Asura seeking revenge against the generals who betrayed him, using his incredible powers which are channeled through his wrath.”
“But for gamers who love science fiction, Japanese mythology, and/or anime, and for gamers who appreciate a fantastic story that is told in the most unconventional way, Asura's Wrath is pure gold.”
“The game is really amazing, as it manages to involve the player in the story and the characters; the music, the setting, and the action are all really excellent, making it one of my favorite action games.”
“By making gameplay a far smaller priority than the game's main goal of telling a story, these games would be much more suited to be labeled as interactive digital stories as opposed to games.”
“Sadly, the story wasn't really that compelling; it wasn't bad, but for a game that makes it the focus, it's not enough.”
“The story is so-so and completely linear.”
- gameplay38 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this game is largely secondary to its narrative, with many reviewers noting that it feels more like an interactive story than a traditional game. While some appreciate the simple mechanics and occasional engaging moments, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is limited, often repetitive, and lacks depth, leading to a short experience that may not justify its price. Players seeking a rich gameplay experience may be disappointed, as the focus on cutscenes and quick time events overshadows more substantial gameplay elements.
“The gameplay has you running around an area and fighting enemies with a relatively simple combo system, and utilizing your special heavy attack at the right moment to build up your 'burst' gauge to advance the game and play the next cutscene.”
“The story is amazing, the gameplay is relaxing, the CG is awesome, and the game is as hard as you want it to be.”
“If you like the 'interactive anime' gameplay, the beautiful art style and graphics, and the great over-the-top story, I can't see a reason to not buy this game.”
“By making gameplay a far smaller priority than the game's main goal of telling a story, these games would be much more suited to be labeled as interactive digital stories as opposed to games.”
“Gamers who are considering buying this game should be well aware that a large chunk of their time spent with the game will not involve much gameplay.”
“The gameplay isn't completely original but what blew me was the story, the art, the music, and the epic cutscenes!”
- graphics30 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, heavily influenced by eastern artwork and anime aesthetics, which many players find refreshing compared to the typical western themes. While some textures may appear dated or suffer from pop-in issues, the overall visual presentation, including character design and animation, is considered beautiful and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal. Despite minor technical shortcomings, the graphics are described as a standout feature, enhancing the storytelling experience.
“I really appreciated how the art style was heavily inspired by Eastern artwork and myth; most games are influenced by Western themes and religions, so this was a breath of fresh air.”
“The art style of the game is magnificently anime-inspired.”
“The sense of scale, graphics, and story are phenomenal.”
“And while the backgrounds and certain models may not live up to the great look of Asura and his main foes, the overall aesthetic carries the day.”
“The only thing going for the game is ridiculous graphics and a decent music score.”
“Save for graphics, everything else is pretty mediocre.”
- music15 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its fantastic quality, often enhancing the overall experience and overshadowing the dialogue at times. While the voice acting is generally good, some players noted that it can be too quiet compared to the background music, necessitating subtitles. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's epic atmosphere and emotional engagement.
“The music is...fantastic whether you enjoy anime or not.”
“I loved how epic the scenes were and especially the music.”
“The game is fantastic and the music and graphics are breathtaking.”
“Voice acting is also quite good as well, although some voices are too quiet over the background music and sounds, requiring subtitles to be turned on as a result.”
“The only thing going for the game is ridiculous graphics and a decent music score.”
“The music is decent, but it doesn't stand out or enhance the overall experience.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is largely criticized, with many users noting a lack of unique experiences and repetitive gameplay. While some find it enjoyable, the consensus is that once completed, there is little incentive to replay, making the high price tag feel unjustified.
“Overall, the replay value is good.”
“This game offers a lot of replayability with its diverse choices and multiple endings.”
“The variety of gameplay modes keeps things fresh and encourages multiple playthroughs.”
“There's really no replay value at all, so it's money poorly spent if you want a unique experience.”
“Fun game but repetitive, not a lot of replayability...”
“Once you beat it though, there really is no replayability to this game.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply engaging, particularly in Asura's struggle and the satisfaction derived from wielding his powers, which adds significant weight to the narrative's violence. However, some reviews highlight a mix of humor and frustration, with references to melodramatic elements like betrayal and authority figures, suggesting a blend of intense emotional experiences and lighter, absurd moments.
“This is a game that, if it connects with you, will have you very emotionally invested in Asura's struggle, and makes controlling his godly powers satisfying on a level that few games achieve.”
“It's fantastic actually, and it lends emotional weight to every act of seismic violence that Asura commits.”
“Divorced dad emotional emulator!”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players appreciating its comedic elements alongside dramatic storytelling and impressive graphics. While it may not appeal to everyone, many fans find the humor to be a strong point that enhances the overall experience.
“The funny thing is, I'm a huge fan of Dragon Ball Z, and this game was obviously heavily inspired by it.”
“I'm totally satisfied with my purchase! I like the game (it's not for everyone, because it's very different from most). Awesome graphics and storyline (very dramatic and funny at times). This game is in a class of its own; like I said before, it may not be for everyone, but I personally love it.”
“As I see it: it has a good implementation, very nice animation and graphics, has a good sense of humor and good boss fights, but has a few flaws too.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of depth beyond the main character, who is described as mediocre. There are no opportunities for exploration, upgrades, or meaningful interactions that could enhance character growth, leading to an overall unsatisfying experience.
“There's nothing to explore, no puzzles, no weapons or character upgrades, and no real character development outside of the main character, which is mediocre at best.”
“What didn't work: - lack of character development - short gaming experience (even with DLC) - not enough gameplay.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is criticized for heavily relying on quick-time events and cut scenes, which dominate 85% of the gameplay, leading to a lack of meaningful interaction and engagement.
“The gameplay involves mostly 85% quick-time events that don't really make a difference except for grading your performance for that level.”
“The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
“I encountered numerous bugs that hindered my progress, making the overall experience frustrating.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, including frequent crashes when starting the campaign, and some received incorrect regional copies of the game that were not disclosed in the packaging.
“Not only did they give me a UK copy of the game, which was never stated on the package information, but the copy that came in was buggy and the game crashes every time I start up the campaign.”
