Rise of the Kasai

Infobox VG
title= Rise of the Kasai


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developer= BottleRocket Entertainment
publisher= Sony Computer Entertainment
distributor=
designer=
series=
engine=
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version=
released= ^NA April 5 2005
genre= Action-adventure
modes= Single player
ratings= ESRB: Mature
platforms= Playstation 2
media= 1 DVD
requirements=
input= DualShock 2
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lastgameinseries=
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"Rise of the Kasai" is an action game developed by BottleRocket Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment America for the Playstation 2 video game console. Released in 2005, the game serves as a followup to the 2002 game "The Mark of Kri".

"Rise of the Kasai's" storyline takes place in a Polynesian-influenced fantasy setting. The game's plot centers on a band of warriors known as the "Rakus" and their battles against the evil sect of dark magicians known as the "Kasai". The narrative focuses on a series of events that take place ten years prior to the events of "The Mark of Kri" and ten years afterwards.

Gameplay

"Rise of the Kasai's" gameplay consists of thirteen levels, in which the player, accompanied by a computer-controlled ally, must battle numerous enemies to progress through the story. The levels of "Rise of the Kasai" alternate between two pairs of playable characters:"Rau" with his younger sister "Tati" and "Baumuso" with his mentor "Griz."

Focus Beams

Much like its predecessor, the combat system of "Rise of the Kasai" revolves around the use of "Focus Beams," a gameplay mechanic used to lock on to single or multiple enemies from any direction. While the DualShock's left analog stick is used to maneuver the character, a sweep of the right analog stick will cause a beam of light to extend from the player's character. When this beam of light comes into contact with an enemy, an attack icon will be assigned to them. Attack icons are symbols that appear over the enemy's head and correspond with the X, square, and circle buttons on the controller. When an attack icon is assigned, the player can press the corresponding button to initiate a focused attack.cite book | year=2005 | title=Rise of the Kasai instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | id=SCUS-97416] . In addition, some of these attack combos can lead to an instant kill if done correctly.cite book | year=2005 | title=Rise of the Kasai instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | id=SCUS-97416]

tealth

While players may spend a majority of the game fighting enemies head on, there are many occasions where the player has the option to employ stealth tactics to avoid detection and quietly ambush the enemy. A stealth kill can be performed by sheathing the character's weapon and using the focus beam to assign a flashing attack icon onto an unsuspecting enemy. The player will be able to initiate a stealth kill once the enemy is in range and the attack icon becomes solid.cite book | year=2005 | title=Rise of the Kasai instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | id=SCUS-97416]

pirit Guides

To help remain undetected, the player can send out a "spirit guide" to a certain key-point to scope the environment ahead and monitor enemy positions, armaments, and patrol patterns. Using a spirit guide to scout ahead can also allow the player to devise battle strategies if stealth is not an option. Spirit guides vary between the four protagonists. Rau and Baumusu use "Kuzo", a spiritual familiar that takes the form of a blackbird, as their spirit guide. Kuzo can be sent to various perches throughout the level to scout ahead. Tati and Griz summon the souls of the dead to scout ahead from the various corpses that litter the environment.

Audio

"Rise of the Kasai"'s musical score was composed by Jack Wallcite book | year=2005 | title=Rise of the Kasai instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | id=SCUS-97416] [cite web | title=Credits at Jack Wall's official web site | url=http://www.jackwall.net/credits.html | accessmonthday=July 8 | accessyear=2007] , Rod Abernethy, Jason Graves [cite web | title=Rod Abernethy and Jason Graves site | url=http://www.rednoteaudio.com/about/ | accessmonthday=July 8 | accessyear=2007] , and Mike Reagan [cite web | title=Mike Reagan Music | url=http://www.mikereaganmusic.com/ | accessmonthday=July 8 | accessyear=2007] with instruments provided by Michael Masley and Mr. Lee Vangcite book | year=2005 | title=Rise of the Kasai instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | id=SCUS-97416]

Critical Response

Rise of the Kasai received mixed scores from professional reviewers.cite web|title = Game Rankings Rise of the Kasai page|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/920751.asp|accessdate = 2007-08-11] While many critics praised the game's combat system, control scheme, and distinctive cinematics, others panned the game due to repetitious gameplay while expressing disappointment in the game's AI and lack of multiplayer options. [cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/riseofthekasai |title=Rise of the Kasai Reviews |accessdate=2007-08-11 |author= Metacritic staff |publisher=Metacritic]

References

External links

* [http://www.us.playstation.com/PS2/Games/Rise_of_the_Kasai/OGS/main.asp Sony's Official "Rise of the Kasai" Site]
*moby game|id=/rise-of-the-kasai