The Mark of Kri Review

It’s been a while since I’ve done a written review on a game. I may eventually do this in video format, but a written one will do for now. I just need to get back into doing more video reviews on games soon. Lol This review is supposed to coincide with the one HartKnight did last month since we both started the game around the same time. However, I got sidetracked with work. Better late than never, right?

The Mark of Kri for the PlayStation 2 is an action-adventure game. Released in 2002, this game was developed by SCE San Diego Studio who would go on to develop various sports games. For their first outing, The Mark of Kri is a pretty decent action game even though it’s without flaws. The game puts you in the role of Rau, a warrior with an urge for adventure and fortune. He is even a character given the “Link syndrome,” which he doesn’t talk throughout the game but can only be heard when grunting or chanting attack combos.

During the game, he is accompanied by a bird companion named Kuzo. The bird gives an interesting element in gameplay as he is able to scout ahead to see what enemies Rau will come in contact with. This lets you strategizes on how you can approach your enemies whether you take them out full on or subdue them in stealth. The latter will become your very best friend as this game will test your patience.

Although The Mark of Kri contains six levels, each level may last between an hour to an hour-and-a-half. These levels are quite lengthy and are rarely forgiving if you take away the save scrolls each level offers. You will find that these save scrolls do become very handy upon completing a tough battle or completing one of Baumusu’s challenges.

The way the gameplay is set is very intriguing. You don’t have much control over the camera, but the right thumb stick allows you to scan your surroundings when there are nearby enemies. Upon doing so, an enemy is assigned a corresponding button command which you attack when pressing the button given to them. It makes for a nice way of switching combat up. Your enemies, on the other hand, will give you little room for attempting a weapon combo which can lead to frustration. At the same time, it forces you to block your opponents’ attacks in hopes that you can sneak in an attack before they come back with a fury of swings at you. I found the button commands upon attacking your enemies to be hit and miss. There are times when your attacks are effective, and you get that sensation even time your enemy stumbles backwards. Other times you wish that your character was quicker to your button commands even if the later weapons you obtain are on the slow side.

As mentioned earlier, the game is very short. For many players, it may take less than nine or ten hours to beat in a setting. The Mark of Kri does offer arena challenges in which you are given the choice between a time attack mode and how many enemies can you kill within a time limit. Both modes have a set of challenges similar to the Baumusu challenges in the main story. By completing these challenges, you are treated to some bonus content showcasing the concepts on how The Mark of Kri came to be.

Overall, the game is worth playing at least once. It may take some time to warm up to the game, but it was a fairly enjoyable experience even though it does fall short towards the game’s final battle. While some ideas could have used some fleshing out, The Mark of Kri boasts some fantastic art direction with superb music that changes dynamically between the game’s downtime and combat sequences. The cartoon look of the game may be a put off to some at first glance, but its graphic violence contrasts it very well justifying the game’s mature nature of its story. It’s rather a style I would not mind seeing more often in today’s games along with animated films outside of anime.

The Mark of Kri may not appeal to many action-adventure gamers, but it offers something different to the genre that some may find interesting to try out. The game’s length will probably put off many even though they’ll find that the long levels more than make up for the nine or ten hours of play time. The arena challenges may seem tacked on, but they do the job of offering players a bit more content outside of the game’s main story.

The Mark of Kri for PlayStation 2 gets a 7 out of 10.

Pros:

+ Fantastic art direction and dynamic music changes
+ A unique twist in combating enemies
+ Reasonable length in levels

Cons:

– Very few save scrolls in later levels
– Character tends to be slow on attack commands during battles
– Fairly short game; can be completed in nine to ten hours

Frozen and Saving Mr. Banks

Hey all!

Yet another blog from me! I’m on fire, huh? =P This time I have two movies to talk about. I went out earlier today and saw both Frozen and Saving Mr. Banks. Both I thought were really great movies. If you think about it, I guess it’s in some ways preparing me for when I am in Orlando for my Disney Internship. =P

First movie up is Saving Mr. Banks, the untold story of how the movie Mary Poppins came to be. It features fantastic performances particularly that of Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, who play P. L. Travers and Walt Disney respectively. The movie goes back and forth between the 1960s and P. L. Travers’ childhood which helps us understand what her childhood meant to her and why she is very protective on her Mary Poppins character. It’s also one of those movies that hits right at home in regards to the relationship between her and her father growing up. Towards the end, I did shed a couple of tears but with good reason.

Overall, I was very impressed with how well-made the movie was as I had been looking forward to seeing the first time I saw the trailer to it earlier this year. So the movie earns a 4 out of 4 stars rating in my book.

Up next is Frozen, Disney’s non-Pixar animated film. As a guy, it may seem odd to be watching a princess movie, and I wasn’t that impressed with the teaser of it. After hearing how good it was, I was rather curious to check it out, but what really prompted me to see it was how dark of a tone it had in certain parts. After seeing it, I can see why they would say that. It brings back that foreboding feel from earlier Disney movies like Snow White and Pinocchio. Sure the movie had one song too many, and yes, it was a Disney princess movie. However, it had enough to keep me entertained, and I really enjoyed it way more than Tangled. 🙂 With strong chemistry between the characters and a witty script, it’s great to see Disney animated films getting back on track! And that is a lot to say considering how the more recent Pixar movies have been.

Yet again, this movie earns a 4 out of 4 stars rating. 🙂

When I think about it, I’m all for more mature Disney movies! It’s very refreshing to see a Disney movie that isn’t so bogged down by one cliche after another, and that can drive a person up the wall as far as predictability goes. I mean it’s okay if they can be silly sometimes, but I would be all for something as witty as Frozen. Shoot, even the comic relief in Frozen was worth watching, and I find most Disney comic reliefs to be very obnoxious beyond belief!

Speaking of mature movies from Disney, I don’t know why, but I’ve always thought it would be cool if they did a Gargoyles movie. This idea occurred when The Dark Knight came out. Even though I’ve only seen a few episodes of the show (I seriously should watch that and all other cartoons I’ve missed out on), I still think it would be cool if it happened. 🙂 But hey, one can dream, right?

With that, I think this is a good stopping point for this blog. 🙂 Thanks for reading! And have a Happy New Year!

Eddie the Wolf signing off. 🙂