"Most people will not like the game, but there are a few who will LOVE it."

Genre: 3D Action Adventure / Hack 'n Slash

Opening:
When you read the back of the box your going to want to buy the game. The story is superb, and the graphics look great. But after playing, you will see they made several big mistakes, so big in fact, that they ruin the game.

Story: 9/10
The story behind Rengoku: Tower of Purgatory is great. In the future, humans built androids to fight a seemingly endless war. After many many years, the war ended. However, there where now hundreds of these machines with no purpose. So they where locked away in a strange tower called "Purgatory" to fight for all eternity without rest, trying to make it to the top of the tower, and to freedom. However, one day, one of them became sentient (self aware)... when it made it to the top, it found itself ... at the lowest level.

Game Play: 5/10
The game play is far too shallow. The enemies are very stupid and will attack wall at times, they use no real strategy, and they don't all know how to fight. The main thing you do in the game is move, slash, move, shoot [repeat again and again and again]. Some people will love the game, it can become very addictive, but for the most part, it gets boring really fast.

Controls: 4/10 :(
Well, this is one of the biggest flaws. You can only move in eight directions, and there isn't any jumping. Your movements are very limited.

Level layout: 5/10
The areas are very simple. Most of them are large rooms with destructible boxes placed in random places. The look of the walls will sometimes change, but it's mostly all the same.

Entertainment: 5/10
The first few minutes are fun. But the game becomes very boring very fast. The reason is that the game is so repetitive. All the areas are the same, and the enemies aren't very fun to fight. This is one of the most repetitive game I have ever played.

Graphics: 8/10
At times the graphics are great. However, occasionally lines will appear, and walls will glitchy disappear for short periods of time. The game looks kinda like a poor PS2 game. The areas and characters look grainy most of the time. But the game is clear.

Sound Effects: 8/10
Since there really isn't much you can do in the game. They made what little sound that should be heard be heard. When you run you hear your foot steps, and when you slash you hear a "whoosh." And the guns make a good "bang."

Music: 8/10
I really really liked the music in the opening. It was haunting but cool. Some of the music is nothing but horrid repetitive techno (and I like most techno). But some of it is beautifully done and sounds excellent.

Replay Value: 9/10
If you don't quit playing in a few minutes, your gonna love this game. There are plenty of areas and challenges to face. If you like the game you'll be playing for weeks, of not your gonna quit playing the same day you get the game.

Overview: 5/10
The game is very repetitive, and the enemies aren't very smart. The graphics are ok. But the music is perfect at times. There's a good chance your gonna hate this game. But you might like it a lot. I give it a five out of five because of it's very limited appeal.

Rent or Buy?
Rent, you most likely will not like the game, but you might, so it's worth checking out.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 05/01/05