Current version:PlayStation 3
Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai is a PlayStation 3 action game released in 2009 developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It centers on platform movement and landing judgment, aiming, shooting, and weapon use, and combat encounters, with controls and information arranged around the DualShock 3 or Sixaxis twin sticks, triggers, and face buttons, with PlayStation Move only where explicitly supported.

AI score · out of 10
6.9 / 10
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About this game

Afro Samurai is a PlayStation 3 action game centered on platform movement and landing judgment, aiming, shooting, and weapon use, and combat encounters. Stages build pressure through routes, enemy patterns, and changing objectives, with progress divided into stages, tasks, matches, or growth milestones that make immediate goals understandable. Its value depends on whether these rules continue to create judgment and room for mastery rather than on length, sales, or series recognition. Short campaigns are judged by repeat-challenge value, while longer ones are judged by variety, pacing, and recovery after failure. Animation, hits, camera behavior, and readable hazards determine whether feedback remains dependable, while HD 3D scenes, Blu-ray data streaming, surround audio, and cinematic presentation need to preserve action, state, and text readability together. The genre-specific limitation is that camera behavior, collision rules, input mapping, and repeated ground after failure can raise the entry barrier. Platform conditions also include Blu-ray loading, HDD installs, system software, DualShock 3 battery life, Move accessories, resolution and frame rate, and retired online services affect present-day use. This description covers only this platform release and does not import features or conveniences from remasters, emulators, or other console editions.

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PlayStation 3

AI review

AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:

6.9 / 10PlayStation 3

Vivid swordplay and style amid pacing and PS3 technical flaws.

Afro Samurai works best when sword combat and anime language reinforce one another. Precise focus-mode cuts, split-screen framing, hip-hop with Eastern accents, and forceful voice performances give the revenge story a distinct personality. Several staged battles deliver a real rush. The campaign cannot sustain that level throughout: lengthy quiet stretches alternate with repeated enemy waves, while late platforming, checkpoints, and some boss encounters upset the rhythm. The camera can snag behind objects in confined arenas, and horizontal camera inversion offers too little adjustment. Crucially, the reviewed PS3 edition has minor but noticeable frame-rate drops, especially during split-screen sequences; that is a finding about this release, not an assumption borrowed from Xbox 360. Players seeking violent, highly stylized action can still enjoy its best fights. Those who prize a dependable camera and evenly paced levels will meet frequent resistance. This assessment reflects the documented 2009 build and does not assert that later patches retained or fixed these faults.

Strengths

  • Focus cuts, art and music reinforce each other.

Weaknesses

  • Late repetition, camera snags and PS3 frame dips.

Who it is for: Players drawn to stylized, mature sword action.

Play notes: Based on the 2009 PS3 build; later patches unverified.

View scoring basis
DimensionReview stateScoreWeight
Dimension

Uneven encounters and checkpoints disturb campaign rhythm.

Reviewed6.1 / 10Not provided
Dimension

Expressive swordplay is offset by awkward platforming.

Reviewed7.3 / 10Not provided
Dimension

Art, music and voices give the action strong identity.

Reviewed8.1 / 10Not provided
Dimension

PS3 frame dips and camera behavior hinder precision.

Reviewed5.8 / 10Not provided

Review sources

Not provided

Core information

Developer
Bandai Namco
Publisher
Surge
Release date
2009
Platforms
PlayStation 3
Content kind
Game
Release state
Released
Region
Worldwide
Official website
Not provided
Offline minimum players
Not provided
Offline maximum players
Not provided
Online minimum players
Not provided
Online maximum players
Not provided
Tags
DodgeStory-drivenPuzzle SolvingPlatformingReplayableSolo-friendlyThird PersonFast-pacedReal-time Combat3D GraphicsLinear LevelsShooting
Supported game languages
Not provided
Requires base game
Not provided
Standalone
Not provided
Age ratings
Not provided
Play modes
Single player
Perspectives
Third person

Release editions

Sources

Not provided