fighting

This is the sleeper that made it through the cracks of the video game industry and came out on top. This game offers so much and puts out much more.

Animation/Graphics::: Think Jak and Daxter animation and flow, think Onimisha action (but with it's own unique fighting system), think Metal Gear Solid 2 stealth; mix those games triple the fun factor and you have Mark of Kri. The look of the game reminds me of Mulan and the Emperor's New Groove, but with a more mature presentation. It seems to have become that American animation is best familiarized with Disney or Don Bluth animation. Just as Japan has their animation style, it seems we do as well. The difference is that most Japanese animation is pretty violent (okay, sometimes they can be very violent). So, think of this as our American version of that. It's American style animation (i.e. Disney style) that is violent.

Rau (the main character) can kill/battle his enemies many different ways. For instance, you can sneak up behind an enemy and either break his neck, cut his head off, use your sword to staple him to the wall, cut him from bottom up, on and on). Rau has so much animation to him.

Control/movement of characters::: The controls and fighting sytle may seem difficult at first, but once you do it a couple of times it becomes cake (training is recommended at the beginning and when you get a new weapon). The fighting system is unique as in I have never seen this way used before in a game. You use your right analog stick to target an enemy or enemies. Then a button icon appears above their heads (square, X or circle). When attacking you can press the button that corrisponds to the enemy you want to hit with the selected icon over their head. There is a lot more to it, but like I said, once you get it, it is actually easy.

The sound::: the sound fits the game well

Fun factor::: I can't stess the fun factor of this game. I didn't think anything of this game when I first saw a preview, but after reading a few reviews and seeing how everyone rated this game high (check on gamezone.com). I was convinced there must be something to this game. You have a number of attacks, a number of weapons, you have your faithful sidekick Kuzo (a bird that can be used to seek out enemies, help out puzzles, help with ladders and switches....like Beastmaster. You can see through the eyes of Kuzo whenever you want).

In closing, I am not good at writing reviews in text. I can sit there and tell you all about it in person, better than my review. What it comes down to, is that I highly recommend this game.

I am a 20-something long time console video gamer. I own and highly recommend the other following games for the PS2 ((also gives you an idea of what type of games I go for)):::

Grand Theft Auto 3
Medal Of Honor: Frontline
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
MLB Slugfest 2003
Red Faction
Spider-Man
Dynasty Warrior 3
SSX Tricky
Max Payne
Jak And Daxter
NCAA College Football
Frequency
and now::: Mark of Kri

... go and buy it

The Mark of Kri is one of deepest, most innovative and fun action/adventure games i've ever played. It's gameplay has elements of brutal (REALLY BRUTAL) stealth, and an equally fun good'ol hack'n'slash with an innovative new combat system good for pick up and play.
The combat system in this game is what really makes it shine (followed up by the stealth). Moving the right analog stick around will focus Rau (the huge barbarian you control) on a certain bandit. He will be labeled as X, O, or triangle; depending on what he's labeled, that will be the button you press to attack. Don't get me wrong though, button mashers will be hard pressed to beat this game, it does take skill to master the combos.
It's graphics are ironically funny. Even though The Mark of Kri has a cartoonish look to it, it still is an extremely gruesome game. The in-game graphics are gorgeus, moving at a steady 60 frames per second, The Mark of Kri is a beautiful title.
Even the voice acting is done fairly well, it may sound a little hoaky at times but for the most part it's very well done. And even though the story is nothing to write home about, it's an adequate reason to go beat the living [stuffing] out of some unsuspecting bandits.
Overal, The Mark of Kri is a deep, innovative experience, but at the same time it is a great pick up and play game. At the very LEAST rent this game a couple times, 8/10 people will find it more than satisfying.

When i first got my PS2, my dad got me the Mark of Kri with it. I only got half-way through the 1st level when i knew that this was definately the best game in the world.

The graphics are like nothing that i have ever seen before. The entire game plan is magnificent. The characters are unique. The weapons are the BOMB! I mean, a sword, bow, spear and axe... How many games do you know that have these kind of things. The whole game makes you feel that, you're not actually playing Rau but you are Rau, that sort of emblem of a savior, a warrior, a messiah sort of guy.

You do not know what you're missing. This game is an opportunity of a lifetime. You just have to get it.