![Image](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6837989445_a18898c94b_m.jpg)
Fact - Way of the Warrior was one of the best selling games for the 3DO platform. Fact - This game brought much attention to developer Naughty Dog (who later went on to make the popular Crash Bandicoot games) Fact - Way of the Warrior is a great game ... ? Well, perhaps not.
Both gamers and critics seem to have a love/hate view of this title. This is no myth ... I've read numerous reviews supporting both sides. Will I join the masses in my review, or be one of the few to straddle the fence? Lets see...
To start, the graphics in this game are great!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Image](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6831362431_e6ee4a934b_m.jpg)
![Image](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6831362401_12d191dd3f_m.jpg)
![Image](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6831362413_742b746bfd_m.jpg)
How does the audio fare? That really depends on your view of the band White Zombie, which make up the games soundtrack. I don't care for this style of music at all, but was surprised that it didn't get on my nerves. It certainly seems to fit the game's style. The potential to offend though is present (3 magazine called it "...strikingly, harshly vulgar.") Truth be told, between all the on screen action and the sound effects, I couldn't make out much of the lyrics (probably a good thing)
![Image](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6831362395_8f1420ba13_m.jpg)
Gameplay ... umm. Honestly, this area does not fare that well. A huge blow (no pun intended) since this is the biggest factor. When you compare it to other great 3DO fighters like 'Street Fighter' or 'Samurai' it just doesn't come close. I'll explain a few reasons why.
One - Control. I found it tough to pull off some of the regular moves in this game, never mind special ones! I've played with multiple controllers too, and none were very satisfying. I should note also, that I am not a newbie when it comes to fighting games. If I struggled, I can only imagine how more casual players fare.
Two - Artificial Intelligence. I had to set the handicap very low to beat this game, and frankly I am not motivated to try and progress on a harder setting. The computer characters alternate between stupid play, and frustrating play. Sometimes I can stand and lob projectiles at them for the whole match (no attempts to jump, block, etc...
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Three - ... well, it's a bunch of little things really. The story line in this game is so stupid in my opinion, and reminds me of bad Atari Jaguar fighting games (no offense to Jag owneres, but Kasumi Ninja, Fight for Life, c'mon) Samurai Shodown proves good fighting games don't need ridiculous story lines. I also hate the games's animation. I don't care if 3DO gave this title an award, the animation is indeed "clunky" (3DO Game Secrets, vol 2) I really dislike the way the characters jump in particular. The demo mode features the same two fighters and background, Kontori's stage is much too dark, objects drop on the screen at random, magical elements feel tacked on and are not needed, etc... Again, much of these things are small, but they add up to make the game a poor package.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Image](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6831362441_1182467623_m.jpg)
Overall, while my original intent was to fall squarely between the love/hate views of this game, I can no longer do it. After spending enough time playing this title (for quite a while I might add), my mind is made up. It is not that good. Naughty Dog should have spent more time on fixing the gameplay, and less on other less important things ... graphics, picking up a popular music licence, character bios in the manual, etc... What we have here is a poor Mortal Kombat clone (make no mistake, this is very much a clone, right down to some of the characters and the "fatalities") Only for graphic lovers, collectors, and those who purchased the 'Maniac Pack' in which it was also bundled. I'm bracing myself for the backlash ...
-Trev