Kengo: Legend of the 9

"Another dud for the 360"

Kengo 9 came out of no where. I had maybe seen an image in an issue of Game Informer and ignored it as it was ugly. Not that I judge a game by it's graphics but it shouldn't look like a last gen title and really, the last game with kengo in the title was pure garbage. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I'm sure the game had a plot. I really didn't care. There are 3 characters to choose from at the start and then more later on. I'm sure it all involves some sort of Japanese history and some way to meld these 9 figures into the same plot.

Graphically this game is fugly to the max. Bland textures, uninspired locations. Not only that but the camera is so zoomed up your arse that it just doesn't help matters. Enemies have some of the worst designs as well. You're either a ninja, a normal Japanese swords master or one with a straw hat which ultimately means you're cheap and block and only reversals hurt you.

The sound in the game is kind of bad. I guess not kind of, it really is bad. Music was what you would expect from a 50's kung fu movie and not in the good cheesy kind of way one might think. Not only that but I don't think the game offers any voice work and the sound effects are terrible. Imagine walking on leaves and it sounding like an elephant running down a canyon. That's what every foot step sounds like.

Control in the game is stiff and boring. You have two attack buttons and a block button. I think there's another button but I don't remember it doing anything. The control sort of works. Sometimes if I try to move forward my guy would do a 180 and get stabbed in the back. YES!

I would love to say this game is fun but it isn't. There are a few different modes but I only tried 3. The first mode could be considered story mode. This has you walking around a small area and killing hordes of mindless AI. Once they are all dead a kengo person appears and you need to lay the smack down on him. He dies, you move on and wash and repeat 4 or so times and you beat the game. Go you!

The core game play mechanics have you hitting B over and over to attack as the guys stand their like rocks and dying. Once in a while they will block so you need to block back and do a reversal. However I did find that the enemy, mainly a boss can randomly kill you in one hit. God I love one hit kills.

The next mode was a challenge mode. It sets you in a location with a time limit and body count tor each. Boring and feels just like the normal mode.

The other mode I attempted to try was the on-line portion but that was down due to Live being down yet again so alas I didn't get to try it but I doubt anyone plays it on-line.

The game is short and the achievements are fairly simple except the on-line ones. I would recommend this for some easy point but other wise I'd pass.

Kengo 9 is currently the Bruce Lee game for the 360. Just all around bad and with nothing being done correctly one can only ponder how such a turd even got released.

Story - 2/10
Graphics - 3/10
Sound - 3/10
Control - 5/10
Game Play - 3/10
Replay value - 4/10

Final Score - 3/10

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 01/04/08

Game Release: Kengo: Legend of the 9 (US, 09/11/07)