Bujingai: The Forsaken City

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
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  1. Game Chronicles
    92
    A deceptively cool game in that it hooks you almost immediately with its approachable controls and intuitive building-block combos, not to mention the sheer artistry of the graphics and animation. Then once you are entranced the game gets harder, but by then your skills are more than up for the task.
  2. Siliconera
    87
    An engaging action game from start to finish that is a blast to play. [JPN Import]
  3. Computer Games Magazine
    83
    The gameplay is comparable to someting like "Devil May Cry" or "Otogi" in that gamers have two weapons and are capable of unleashing combos on enemies using both of those weapons with just a few simple button taps. [Nov 2004, p.NP9]
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  5. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    As cool as the sword fights and boss battles may be, Bujingai may frustrate you for hours at a time with poorly designed levels that depend too much on jumping puzzles. [July 2004, p.88]
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  6. games(TM)
    80
    Spend time mastering the figting system, powering up your various attacks and revisiting stages to improve your combo scores and the game becomes so much more than just a basic hack-and-slash romp - it's a feast of replayable swordplay. [Apr 2004, p.100]
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  7. GamerFeed
    80
    A great piece of work, a kick-ass rush of lightning-fast swordplay garnered around the already breathtaking graphics.
  8. Weekly Famitsu
    78
    8 / 8 / 7 / 8 - 31 silver [Vol 785]
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  9. GameReviewer
    78
    A shining example of how polish and presentation can make an otherwise ordinary game seem special. It may be shallow but what it lacks in technique it makes up for with style and charisma.
  10. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    78
    We may not call Bunjigai a classic, largely thanks to its less-than-refined story and level design, but as an action-packed hack and slash experience this game has it where it counts.
  11. Just RPG
    75
    It’s a bit on the short side, and the story wasn’t very well implemented, but the beautiful graphics, RPG depth and non-stop action more than make up for it.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Best PS2 Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. Stealthgear
    Jun 6, 2013
    6
    Bujingai has great character animation and character design. But thats the best part of the game. The button mashing system is not asBujingai has great character animation and character design. But thats the best part of the game. The button mashing system is not as sophisticated as Devil May Cry. There is not any tit for tat, back and forth with the enemy. The bland levels are comparable to the bland levels in Sega's Shinobi. This game was obviously inspired by Shinobi, but it doesn't have that quaint magic or hardcore feeling. Ground textures look like a mess. Environments really aren't up to 2004 standards. What do you do? The game forces you to monotonously kill extremely lame enemies in order to progress. Thats the gameplay. While that same thing has been in other games, like Shinobi, this one feels forced, boring, and is barely a game. The music and graphics are pretty good. Some people might like this one, but I didn't. If you want a real button masher thats a total classic, get Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition instead. This game is not a classic and its not as fun as it should be.… Full Review »
  2. DasBaronne
    Jan 28, 2013
    9
    If you like Shinobi/Ninja Gaiden/Night Shade/etc, this is the game for you! I'm not a huge fan of Gackt and his presence kind of made the mainIf you like Shinobi/Ninja Gaiden/Night Shade/etc, this is the game for you! I'm not a huge fan of Gackt and his presence kind of made the main character seem a bit "off" , however... I REALLY enjoyed the environments and battle system. Pick this up, if you see it somewhere or on amazon/ebay. Its REALLY fun :)… Full Review »
  3. AriS.
    Oct 1, 2007
    8
    Extremely fast-paced, with an awesome combat and magic system, and great special effects. The levels encourage you to defy gravity, but in Extremely fast-paced, with an awesome combat and magic system, and great special effects. The levels encourage you to defy gravity, but in some cases it's frustrating to be prevented from running up a building by an invisible barrier. The levels are a bit too blocky, but are still well-textured, and usually allow for one or two clever shortcuts. Other than these, I don't have many complaints with the levels. The animation is fantastic, with very well executed motion capture (go Gackt!), and the moves are flashy and fun to perform. I have a bit of a problem with the enemies, some of which (like the undead) can be very easy to defeat, others (like the demon lion) very challenging, but there is very little in the middle ground. Although the overlords are quite a challenge, watching a fight between an overlord and Lau is like watching a high-adrenaline lightsaber battle in Star Wars. I bought the game with a bit of hesitation, but now that I've played for over 10 hours, I am definitely not disappointed. What the game does, it does extremely well. I personally like this game more than Devil May Cry. Although everyone's heard of that game and few have heard of Bujingai, don't let that stop you from trying this highly addicting game. Recommended!… Full Review »
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