Afro Samurai 2
{{for|the film sequel|Afro Samurai: Resurrection}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma
| image = AfroSamurai2.jpg
| developer = Redacted Studios
| publisher = Versus Evil
| platforms = PlayStation 4
Windows
| genre = Action-adventure
| modes = Single-player
}}
Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma is a third-person action-adventure video game published by Versus Evil and developed by Redacted Studios. The game was released for PlayStation 4 via PlayStation Network and Windows in September 2015, with an Xbox One version planned for October. The sequel to 2009's Afro Samurai, originally a manga series by Takashi Okazaki, the player controls Kuma, a swordsman who seeks revenge on the titular character.
The game received widely negative reviews from critics. Originally planned to be released in three volumes, Versus Evil removed Revenge of Kuma from all platforms, issued refunds, and canceled the other two volumes. The Xbox One version was also never released, while the PlayStation 4 version is one of the few titles from that platform to not be backward compatible with the PlayStation 5.
Gameplay
Similar to the first installment, Afro Samurai 2 is a third-person action game where the player must work through a series of areas taking down waves of enemies. Learning different moves and combos and key to getting through the game. In addition to combat.
Plot
In Afro Samurai 2, Afro once again fights Kuma who is challenging him for his Number One headband.
Development
Afro Samurai 2 was developed by Redacted Studios and published by Versus Evil. After the release of the original Afro Samurai game in 2009, former Namco Bandai senior producer David Robinson left the company and founded Redacted. Along with leaving Namco Bandai, he secured the rights to make other games in the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/25/5840260/afro-samurai-2 |title=Afro Samurai 2 currently in development |last=Lien |first=Tracey |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=June 25, 2014 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219202714/http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/25/5840260/afro-samurai-2 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |url-status=live}}
Afro Samurai 2{{'}}s story was written by Jim DeFelice, co-writer of American Sniper.{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/wait-the-american-sniper-writer-is-doing-afro-samurai-2--309304.phtml |title=Wait, the American Sniper writer is doing Afro Samurai 2? |last=Hansen |first=Steve |publisher=Destructoid |date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=November 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008010317/http://www.destructoid.com/wait-the-american-sniper-writer-is-doing-afro-samurai-2--309304.phtml |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |url-status=live}} The soundtrack to the game was done by rapper RZA, who also produced two soundtrack albums of the animated series.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/afro-samurai-2-hits-ps4pc-with-xbox-one-edition-co/1100-6430825/ |title=Afro Samurai 2 Hits PS4/PC, With Xbox One Edition Coming Later |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=November 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123211924/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/afro-samurai-2-hits-ps4pc-with-xbox-one-edition-co/1100-6430825/ |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |url-status=live}} The game's still image cutscenes was done by series creator Takashi Okazaki.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-09-11-afro-samurai-2-episode-1-arrives-on-ps4-and-pc-this-month |title=Afro Samurai 2: Episode One arrives on PS4 and PC this month |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |work=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=September 11, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016041724/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-09-11-afro-samurai-2-episode-1-arrives-on-ps4-and-pc-this-month |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=live}}
The game was released for the PlayStation Network and Microsoft Windows on September 22, 2015. An Xbox One version was also planned to be released on October 9, but was canceled due to poor reception on the other platforms.{{cite web|url=http://www.purexbox.com/news/2015/11/afro_samurai_2_release_cancelled_indefinitely_due_to_quality_concerns|title=Afro Samurai 2 Release Cancelled Indefinitely Due to Quality Concerns|last=Barnes|first=Ken|work=Pure Xbox|publisher=Gamer Network|date=November 24, 2015|access-date=December 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135332/http://www.purexbox.com/news/2015/11/afro_samurai_2_release_cancelled_indefinitely_due_to_quality_concerns|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|MC=21/100 (PS4){{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/afro-samurai-2-revenge-of-kuma-volume-one/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume One for PlayStation 4 Reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=December 14, 2015}}
|Destruct=1/10{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-afro-samurai-2-revenge-of-kuma-volume-1-312865.phtml |title=Review: Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume 1 |last=Carter |first=Chris |publisher=Destructoid |date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=November 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114063445/http://www.destructoid.com/review-afro-samurai-2-revenge-of-kuma-volume-1-312865.phtml |archive-date=November 14, 2015 |url-status=live}}
|GSpot=2/10{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/afro-samurai-2-revenge-of-kuma-volume-one-review/1900-6416258/ |title=Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume One Review |last=Brown |first=Peter |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=September 25, 2015 |access-date=November 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120200234/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/afro-samurai-2-revenge-of-kuma-volume-one-review/1900-6416258/ |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |url-status=live}}
|rev1=Hardcore Gamer
|rev2=PlayStation LifeStyle
|rev2Score=2/10{{cite web|url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/09/21/afro-samurai-2-revenge-of-kuma-review-unadulterated-ugliness/ |title=Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume 1 Review — Unadulterated Ugliness |last=Meli |first=Jowi |work=PlayStation LifeStyle |publisher=CraveOnline |date=September 21, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229204542/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/09/21/afro-samurai-2-revenge-of-kuma-review-unadulterated-ugliness/ |archive-date=December 29, 2015 |url-status=live}}
}}
Upon release, Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma received widely negative reviews from critics.
Polygon called it one of the worst games of 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/30/10689844/the-worst-video-games-of-2015 |title=The worst video games of 2015 |last=Frank |first=Allegra |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=December 30, 2015 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231200730/http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/30/10689844/the-worst-video-games-of-2015 |archive-date=December 31, 2015 |url-status=live}} Giant Bomb called it the worst game of the year.{{cite web | url=http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/giant-bombs-2015-game-of-the-year-awards-day-four-/1100-5319/ | title=Giant Bomb's 2015 Game of the Year Awards: Day Four Text Recap | work=Giant Bomb | publisher=CBS Interactive | date=December 31, 2015 | access-date=January 24, 2016}} It was the second worst-reviewed game of 2015 according to aggregate review website Metacritic.{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/pictures/worst-videogames-of-2015 | title=The 10 Worst Video Games of 2015 | work=Metacritic | publisher=CBS Interactive | first=Jason | last=Dietz | date=December 21, 2015 | access-date=January 24, 2016}}
=Withdrawal and cancelled trilogy=
In November 2015, Afro Samurai 2 was pulled from the PSN and Steam. In an interview with CGMagazine on the game's withdrawal, Versus Evil's Steve Escalante called the game "a failure" and announced the cancellation of the other two volumes and refunds for customers.{{Cite web|title=Versus Evil Explains the Disappearance of Afro Samurai 2|date=19 November 2015|url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/news/versus-evil-exafro-samurai-2/|access-date=2021-11-18|language=en-CA}}{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/11/20/9770612/afro-samurai-2-pulled-steam-ps4-failure|title=Afro Samurai 2 pulled from retail, deemed 'a failure'|last=Frank|first=Allegra|work=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|date=November 20, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122165430/http://www.polygon.com/2015/11/20/9770612/afro-samurai-2-pulled-steam-ps4-failure|archive-date=November 22, 2015|url-status=live}} Escalante later expanded on the decision in an interview with Gamasutra, saying, "Given the game quality was not what people were expecting, it didn't sell like hot cakes, let's just put it like that."{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/260138/Indepth_The_decision_to_unpublish_Afro_Samurai_2_and_refund_buyers.php |title=In-depth: The decision to un-publish Afro Samurai 2 and refund buyers |last=Graft |first=Kris |work=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM plc |date=November 23, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231215237/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/260138/Indepth_The_decision_to_unpublish_Afro_Samurai_2_and_refund_buyers.php |archive-date=December 31, 2015 |url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{official website|http://afrosamuraigame.com}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
{{Afro Samurai}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Cancelled Xbox One games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games about bears
Category:Video games about samurai
Category:Video games based on anime and manga
Category:Video games developed in the United States