Kenshiro bestrides the post-apocalyptic world like a colossus and is as consistantly hard-knuckled as the Northern Star.

User Rating: 9.5 | Hokuto Musou PS3
By cfwin | Review Date:
This fitting introduction from 'Julius Caesar' by William Shakespeare must surely have been written with 'Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage' in mind. For anyone who grew up in the eighties there is magic and mystery in the Northern Fists that stems from the intricacies of its ever-twisting plot and the over-the-top violence that made this manga and anime the pop culture legend that it is today. I have had my eyes on this game for awhile but I was never overly excited about it but when I saw that it was discounted by $10 at my local store I dropped by and picked it up. Setting the scene: I push the disc into my console without any expectations and suddenly I am transported into a glorious rendition of my favourite decade in dazzling graphics and stellar storytelling.

I freely admit never fully comprehending the interwoven family connections, the constant flashbacks and never realizing just how many people wander a nuclear wasteland with seven wounds on their chests. This game does an admirable job in placing the events of FotNS on a timeline (quite literately) that, with the addition of the Dream mode that lets you play secondary characters from the story, makes the story crackle with gusto.

As for the gaming experience, KOEI has managed to craft a delightful beat 'em up that is just intricate and forgiving enough to be enjoyable without losing either speed or sensation. You will quickly pick up the basic combos and naturally progress as you build on those basics to string together a symphony of destruction (and exploding mounds of bodies).

The level design is a dystopian bleakness that doesn't let up and the weather never seems to change (come on, I was hoping for some nuclear winter at least) but when the surroundings are swamped by armies of baddies that are begging to be beaten into pulp who is going to be looking too hard at the scenery? The game's diversity comes from its great storied missions that play out like better episodes of the original manga (but even better for now you are Kenshiro, successor to Hokuto Shinken and purveyor of everything hard-hitting).

The graphics are gorgeous, especially the character models and the near-perfect cut-scenes will make you almost tear up (no really, they're quite bright so if you have your brightness turned up you may not want to play it in a darkened room). There is some jaggedness on edges and surfaces but, alas, such is the curse of consoles and it doesn't detract from the experience.

The levelling of the individual characters may seem like a bit of a grind but the core game-experience is so gratifying that you will not mind replaying some levels to gain a few more skill points to apply to that extra move or skill that you want for your protagonist(s).

All in all, highly recommended to all and a must for any FotNS fan!

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