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- Asura’s Wrath seamlessly blends anime and gaming.
- Its biggest moments are so over-the-top that anime fans are sure to be left wanting more after the credits roll.
- This ambitious project failed due to many reasons, but there is still plenty of demand for a revival.
When discussing the action genre, God of War and Devil May Cry are the obvious names that come to mind. Unfortunately, the likes of Dante’s Inferno are rarely discussed.
Similarly, when thinking of games that are more focused on a film-like experience, the likes of Hellblade 2 or Telltale’s Walking Dead series come to mind. However, there exists an underrated title that attempts to bridge the gap between gaming and anime.
Asura’s Wrath, released by Cyber Connect 2 in 2012, draws inspiration from the over-the-top spectacle of anime. Its over-reliance on cutscenes aside, the game will leave you overflowing with emotions as you become the very embodiment of rage, and dopamine rushes through your brain after each high-stakes battle.
For anime and Naruto Storm fans, Asura’s Wrath is the game they never knew they wanted. However, for many, it was just another failed Capcom experiment that tried too hard to be a movie. In my opinion, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Why it matters: Asura’s Wrath is a cinematic masterclass that is rarely given the attention it deserves.
Blending Anime And Gaming
The narrative begins with a basic premise. After all, you don’t really need much of a reason to take on planet-sized deities when you’re as hot-headed as Asura. In many ways, Cyber Connect 2’s Asura is a lot like Kratos.
His rage-fueled journey is driven by a thirst for revenge against seven corrupted deities. Once the seven deities kill Asura’s wife and kidnap his daughter to use her abilities for their devious purposes, our angry protagonist must cheat death, defy the odds, and grow a few extra limbs to save the world.
Playing the game, it quickly becomes clear that Asura’s Wrath is an amalgamation of anime and gaming. It begins with a Naruto Storm-like boss battle, throwing players into a projectile-based combat sequence, one of the two main styles of gameplay.
What follows is an episodic structure that pays homage to the anime medium. The story is divided into various chapters, and these chapters even have separate opening and ending credits to represent the animation and directing staff, much like an anime would.
This means that each episode has its own identity since certain directing styles resonate with players more than others. To my surprise, Cyber Connect 2 even included intermission-like splash screens to emphasize the anime elements further, making the experience more interesting than your average movie game.
The Cinematics Are Insane
I’ve always been a fan of boss battles that depict a truly insurmountable foe or challenge. This is something I adored about the God of War franchise since moments like the battle against Kronos stuck in my mind.
Asura’s Wrath moves forward with the same philosophy, adding a touch of Cyber Connect 2’s signature style into the mix. One moment, you’re wildly swinging away at waves of generic Gohma enemies, and at others, you’ll find yourself being stabbed by a sword that can pierce the Earth from one end and exit from the other.
In particular, the Wyzen boss fight left me in awe of the sheer scope of the situation, even if it felt a bit hilarious at times. I would even go as far as to say that Asura’s Wrath is worth watching on YouTube if you don’t like the gameplay.
The sheer absurdity on display never gets old, and you’ll be left with your jaw wide open as you gawk at the intense set pieces that await.
What Went Wrong?
Despite its strengths, Cyber Connect 2’s unique blend of gaming and anime was not perfect. For starters, the combat system lacked depth and often boiled down to mashing the attack button until the next QTE sequence showed up.
The game was also released as a console exclusive at the tail end of the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. This was a major problem since both console versions ran poorly, and Capcom never offered a PC port.
Finally, the studio made the ingenious decision to lock the true ending behind paid DLC. This would become the final nail in the coffin that sealed this IP’s fate forever.
For those looking to play Asura’s Wrath today, the experience is practically flawless through RPCS3 emulation. Xbox backward compatibility also offers a solid experience on modern consoles, helping this cinematic revenge tale shine brighter than it ever did on the original hardware.
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[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
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