Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku

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Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku
US box art for PS2 version of Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku
US box art for PS2 version
Developer(s) Adrenium Games, Amaze Entertainment
Publisher(s) Sega
Distributor(s) Cartoon Network Interactive
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s) PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube
Release date(s)
  • NA March 24, 2004
  • PAL August 6, 2004
Genre(s) Action-adventure, science fantasy
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Distribution DVD, Nintendo optical disc

Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku is an action-adventure video game released in 2004 by Adrenium Games and Amaze Entertainment and based on the Samurai Jack animated television series on Cartoon Network. BAM! Entertainment, the game's original publisher, canceled the game soon after development began, but the title was picked up by Sega.[1][2] The series' original voice actors, including Phil LaMarr, Mako Iwamatsu, Jeff Bennett, and Jennifer Hale, reprised their respective roles for the game. An Xbox version of the game was planned,[2] but never released.

Contents

Gameplay[edit]

The game features an original story interconnected throughout 24 levels in 4 worlds. The player takes control of Jack, the series' protagonist and main character, as he rescues villagers, battles Aku's minions, and ultimately searches for the time portal to take him back to his own time. Jack's move set contains 25 moves and combo attacks, and his weapons include four elemental swords, shurikens, and a bow and arrow. The player can also fill Jack's "Zen meter", which allows him to enter a special slow-motion attack mode called "Sakai mode", among other things. The game ends in a final battle with Jack's nemesis, Aku. Other bosses include Mad Jack and the Scotsman.

Reception[edit]

 Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings GC: 58.31%[3]
PS2: 61.46%[4]
Metacritic GC: 59%[5]
PS2: 59%[6]
Review scores
Publication Score
GameSpot 5.2 / 10[7]
IGN 5.2 / 10[1]

Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku received generally mixed to negative reviews from critics. Mary Jane Irwin of IGN criticized the game for its annoying combat system, "uninteresting" story, and lack of challenge in boss battles. She also heavily criticized the game's visuals, saying, "Everything is incredibly angular and the only way to describe it is awful. It's just sad that in no way was the show's incredible presentation translated into the videogame."[1] GameSpot's Alex Navarro called it "utterly forgettable" and said, "its lack of depth, style, or technical polish essentially ruins whatever chance it ever could have had to appeal to anyone outside of the most diehard of Samurai Jack fans."[7] Both critics did, however, compliment the game on its sound.[1][7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Irwin, Mary Jane (March 23, 2004). "Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2013-01-21. 
  2. ^ a b "SEGA Partners with Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to Publish Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku for PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube.". Business Wire. January 27, 2004. Retrieved 2012-11-30. 
  3. ^ "Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku for GameCube". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-01-22. 
  4. ^ "Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-01-22. 
  5. ^ "Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku for GameCube Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-01-22. 
  6. ^ "Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku for PlayStation 2 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-01-22. 
  7. ^ a b c Navarro, Alex (March 19, 2004). "Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-01-21. 

External links[edit]
Dexter's Laboratory
Music albums
Video games
Samurai Jack
Sym-Bionic Titan
Other
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