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- Asura’s Wrath was originally released in 2012, but the game is still relevant over a decade later.
- It delivered cinematic action that was ahead of its time, and a sequel would push things even further.
- Revivals like Okami and Onimusha have given Asura’s Wrath fans some hope to cling to.
Capcom is currently on a roll, going through various legacy IPs. Not too long ago, the gaming giant confirmed active development of new Okami and Onimusha titles, marking two major announcements that nobody, myself included, really saw coming.
If this wasn’t enough to generate excitement, Capcom also reiterated its commitment to revisiting legacy IPs. Many assumed that the publisher would mainly focus on highly popular franchises like Dino Crisis and Marvel vs. Capcom, but Okami’s revival has sparked hope for fans of the more niche franchises under the publisher’s umbrella.
One such game is Asura’s Wrath, a cinematic blockbuster production from CyberConnect 2 that was quickly lost to time after being deemed a commercial flop. Because Capcom has shown a clear willingness to give many of its older IPs a second chance, regardless of commercial success and modern relevance, perhaps the studio can finally bring back Asura’s Wrath.
Why it matters: The core Asura’s Wrath experience would be very different to that of most modern AAA releases, giving the IP a chance to shine in today’s gaming landscape.
Asura’s Wrath Has Not Been Forgotten
Asura’s Wrath is unique because it somehow defies the typical trend of games losing relevance over time. In this manner, the game is almost comparable to iconic titles like Metal Gear Rising Revengeance, which experienced major bursts of popularity long after their initial release, whether it be through modern meme culture or niche, dedicated communities centered around these titles.
Asura’s Wrath largely flew under the radar when it launched in 2012, and its status as a PS3/Xbox 360 console exclusive did little to help. At release, the game was also bogged down by poor performance and a divisive gameplay style that was often critiqued for being more movie than game.
Fast forward to 2025, and Asura’s Wrath has still somehow stayed relevant. Much like Asura himself, the franchise simply refuses to die. A quick Google or YouTube search should be more than enough to prove this point, with Asura being among the latest characters to be featured on the highly popular versus series from Death Battle.
Asura went head-to-head against Kratos of all characters on Death Battle, a major feat when considering how much more popular and active the God of War franchise is. Perhaps Asura’s status as a mystical being with potential enough to rival the likes of Kratos is one reason his popularity has yet to fade away, as fans continue to debate how the deity would fare against various other powerful fictional beings.
Elsewhere, the character has been modded into Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and famous YouTubers like Maximillian Dood continue to sing praises of the IP at every chance possible, introducing it to mainstream gaming audiences. Capcom even went as far as adding an official Asura costume to Street Fighter 5 long after the series was in its prime.
Asura’s Wrath also remains one of the most popular titles on RPCS3, the famous PS3 emulator. In many ways, the game is considered a showcase for what the emulator can do, pushing an underrated gem like Asura’s Wrath to 4K 60FPS in all its cinematic glory.
CyberConnect 2’s Cinematic Masterclass
CyberConnect 2 truly stands out in the industry when it comes to cinematics and explosive animations, and no game shows the studio’s caliber better than Asura’s Wrath. Even with all the drawbacks of the PS3 and Xbox 360, the game managed to depict larger-than-life battles, creating highlights like the epic showdown against Wyzen, which still puts many modern AAA titles to shame.
Even with the dwindling quality of the Naruto Storm games over the years, CyberConnect 2 never ceased to amaze on the animation front, so it would be reasonable to assume the team would bring its A-game if given the opportunity to work on the Capcom franchise again.
Between its recent work on Demon Slayer and Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, the studio has also gained additional experience working with different art styles, with the former’s animation being particularly impressive for capturing the anime’s unique blend of CG and 2D animation in gameplay cinematics.
All of this would more than likely translate to bolder, more stunning spectacles should CyberConnect 2 and Capcom return to the IP.
Room For Gameplay Improvement
If Capcom’s recent efforts have shown anything, it’s that the studio does not shy away from improving a solid concept. In Asura’s Wrath’s case, the gameplay left a lot to be desired, but this is nothing a little collaboration between Capcom and CyberConnect 2 wouldn’t fix.
After all, both studios have extensive experience with action games. CyberConnect 2 has practically pioneered the modern 3D anime arena fighter on its own, and Capcom’s experienced developers have mastered character action game systems through critically acclaimed releases like Devil May Cry 3 and 5.
It’s also important to note that Capcom was very hands-off during the game’s development, so CyberConnect 2 primarily led the charge. I’m confident that even limited collaborations between the two would vastly improve the series’ core gameplay.
A bit more depth and refinement to the combat would go a long way in ensuring a potential sequel ends up being more than what many consider a “movie game” today, allowing the IP to fire on all cylinders.
Of course, the hope for a sequel is merely wishful thinking for now. There’s no telling what the future holds for Asura’s Wrath, but with the sudden revival of long-forgotten franchises like Ninja Gaiden, Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi, and more across the industry, I’m willing to keep my fingers crossed for Asura’s Wrath 2.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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