There are probably a number of reasons why CyberConnect2 chose a traditional anime series structure for their hybrid anime-game, from an attempt to honor the forebearers that inspired it to acting as a mechanism to regulate the games pacing. The commercial-free commercial break makes sense given the opening credits and sets up the expectation for ‘to be continued…” and next episode preview ten minutes later. Then the game cuts to a mid-episode bumper. As the warriors breach the battle lines, Vlitra, the manifestation of the Gohma’s hatred, nearly cracks the planet in half and reveals itself after a millennium. Fueled by the prayers collected by Asura’s daughter Mithra, the cybernetic Guardian Generals tear through the Gohma and ignite the heavens under the command of Deus, the powerful Lord weary of the endless battles. The other seven Guardian Generals enter as the battle wages on, among them Asura’s solemn brother-in-law Yasha and their arrogant sensei Augus. Hit it and Asura leaps from the ship and charges into the void below with all the fury and focus of Berserk’s Guts.Īfter a short-lived reprieve, Gaea has been overrun with Gohma, corrupted beasts that threaten to overtake the planet. As if to make sure we’re ready for his adventure, we’re invited to Press Start. The first time we see him, he stands arms folded at the edge of one of the countless battle cruisers blanketing the sky, gazing down at the planet Gaea, his toes at the edge of an oncoming war. Through videogames, Asura’s Wrath redefines anime.Īsura, one of the Eight Guardian General’s that protect Shinkoku, is angry. They have succeeded at making a narratively-based game by coming at it from a different angle making a game isn’t their priority. And just one of a dozen reasons why CyberConnect2’s game is so remarkable. It’s completely scripted yet wholly natural. It’s a very specific kind of narrative device: it’s author-controlled, player-oriented and since that dialogue offered important characterization, each player experiences their own variation on a defined story. To evade them, the player must nail the timing for the increasingly frequent on-screen button prompts as any mistake is punished with a fist to the face, interrupting the dialogue and completely ending the conversation. The two brawlers dance about the screen, one trying desperately to explain his actions to the other among a flurry of attacks. According to the game's producer Kazuhiro Tsuchiya, Asura's Wrath takes elements from Hindu and Buddhist mythologies and blends them with science fiction.Asura’s Wrath contains one of the most brilliant player-directed narrative sequences in videogames a fist fight. Because of its unique style, the game has been described in the media as an "interactive anime". The story is presented in the style and format of an episodic series of cinematic scenes, including opening and closing credits, with the gameplay being integrated into the cinematic where players switch between third-person combat and interactive sequences with player input in the form of quick-time event (QTE) button prompts.
Awoken by a voice after 12,000 years, Asura vows revenge on the pantheon of other demi-gods who betrayed him, and reclaim his daughter. With everyone turning against him, Asura is then killed by his own Commander, Deus when he tries to save his daughter and banished to Naraka. In the middle of the commotion, Asura's wife is also murdered and his daughter kidnapped by his fellow comrades.
During the victory celebration, the Emperor of Shinkoku is assassinated and the blame is placed on Asura. Long ago, in the Realm of Shinkoku, eight elite demi-gods known as "The Eight Guardian Generals" battled to protect civilization of Gaea from a destructive force known as "Gohma". The game follows the title character, the demi-god Asura. It was released worldwide in February 2012. Asura's Wrath is an action "beat 'em up" style video game collaboration between CyberConnect2 and Capcom.