Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Genji: Days of the Blade delivers a fluid and engaging combat system that keeps players on their toes from start to finish. You can seamlessly switch between four distinct characters—Yoshitsune Minamoto, Benkei Musashibo, Gozen Shizuka, and Lord Buson—each with unique weapons and playstyles. Yoshitsune’s dual katanas allow for swift, combo-heavy strikes, Benkei’s war club and naginata emphasize heavy-hitting power, Shizuka’s chained blades excel in agility and midair assaults, and Buson’s double saber paired with supernatural powers brings a celestial edge to the battlefield.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The Kamui mechanic is the game’s signature feature: as you land successful hits, a special meter fills, enabling you to activate a slow-motion zone around your character. Within this zone, you execute a rapid series of on-screen prompts to unleash devastating special attacks on surrounding enemies. This system not only adds depth to the core action but also creates dramatic, cinematic moments when facing hordes of foes or towering bosses.

Beyond pure combat, Genji incorporates platforming and light puzzle-solving into its level design. You’ll leap across crumbling rooftops, balance on narrow beams, and destroy Masho flowers to unlock hidden passages or open ancient doors. These moments of vertical traversal and environmental interaction break up the action and add variety to the pacing, preventing the hack-and-slash gameplay from feeling repetitive.

RPG elements further enrich the experience. Scattered across each stage are Amahagane and Mashogane—sacred and demonic jewels, respectively—that you collect to enhance your characters’ stats and weapon potency. You’ll also discover herbs, scrolls, and new weapons, giving you additional incentives to explore every corner of a level. This progression system encourages replayability as you return to earlier areas to unearth missed treasures and further customize your warriors.

Graphics

Visually, Genji: Days of the Blade is a remarkable achievement for its platform, faithfully recreating feudal Japan with both historical accuracy and artistic flair. Environments range from serene mountain temples and bamboo forests to eerie, demon-infested ruins, each rendered with textured detail that brings these locales to life. The contrast between the tranquil outdoor settings and the twisted, otherworldly strongholds highlights the game’s dual themes of honor and corruption.

Character models are impressively detailed, with flowing garments, intricate armor designs, and expressive animations that accentuate each warrior’s personality. Combat animations are smooth and responsive, ensuring that combo sequences feel weighty and impactful. The Kamui sequences feature dramatic camera zooms and slow-motion effects that showcase enemies shattering under the onslaught of your specialized attacks.

Special effects—such as glowing Amahagane auras, swirling demonic energies, and fiery explosion bursts—add visual flair to the fast-paced action. These effects are both functional and decorative, providing clear feedback when unleashing powerful abilities while enhancing the game’s mythic atmosphere. Even on a handheld screen, the combination of lighting effects and fluid motion keeps the visuals from feeling flat or repetitive.

Performance remains stable throughout most encounters, although the most crowded boss battles can occasionally introduce minor frame rate dips. These rare slowdowns never derail the experience but are worth noting for players particularly sensitive to consistency in action titles. Overall, Genji’s graphics strike an admirable balance between technical prowess and artistic direction.

Story

The narrative of Genji: Days of the Blade picks up three years after the Minamoto brothers, Yoshitsune and Benkei, vanquished the Heishi Clan in a war over the divine Amahagane jewels. Rumors soon spread of resurrected Heishi warriors joined by ungodly creatures, hinting at a new, darker threat beyond human armies. Our four heroes must once again draw their blades to prevent all of Japan from being consumed by this mysterious evil.

Each playable character brings their own motivations and backstory to the quest. Yoshitsune, eager to prove himself worthy of the Amahagane’s power, seeks redemption for past mistakes. Benkei fights to uphold his monastic vows and protect the people of his homeland. Shizuka’s priestly heritage drives her to purify corrupted spirits, while Buson’s divine origins introduce layers of cosmic intrigue, revealing that this conflict extends beyond the mortal realm.

Cinematic cutscenes are interspersed between missions, offering dramatic set pieces and emotional character exchanges. Though the dialogue occasionally leans on familiar tropes of honor and vengeance, it is elevated by strong voice acting and compelling visual direction. The story unfolds at a steady pace, alternating between high-stakes boss battles and calmer interludes that allow the protagonists to reflect on their bond and the cost of wielding godlike power.

Side objectives and hidden lore entries encourage deeper immersion into the game’s world. Collecting scattered scrolls and uncovering secret chambers reveals the history of the Amahagane and the origins of the monstrous adversaries you face. These supplementary details reward players who take the time to explore, further enriching the main narrative with hints of ancient prophecy and divine intervention.

Overall Experience

Genji: Days of the Blade stands out as a refined action-adventure title that successfully merges fast-paced hack-and-slash combat with platforming, puzzle-solving, and light RPG mechanics. The ability to switch between four distinct warriors on the fly keeps gameplay fresh and offers varied strategies for approaching each encounter. Whether you prefer unleashing swift katana combos as Yoshitsune or summoning divine wrath as Buson, there’s a playstyle to suit different tastes.

The game’s presentation—both visually and auditorily—immerses you in an evocative feudal Japan steeped in legend. Detailed environments, dynamic special effects, and a stirring soundtrack all contribute to a fully realized world. While minor performance dips may arise during the most intense battles, they rarely detract from the overall spectacle.

Story-wise, Days of the Blade delivers an engaging continuation of the Genji saga, bringing back beloved characters while expanding the lore through new allies, foes, and supernatural mysteries. The pacing strikes a solid balance between epic confrontations and quieter narrative beats, ensuring the journey never feels monotonous.

For fans of action-packed, character-driven adventures with a dash of RPG progression, Genji: Days of the Blade is a rewarding and memorable experience. Its blend of visceral combat, exploration, and mythic storytelling makes it a standout title for anyone interested in samurai epics and supernatural Japanese folklore. Whether you’re a newcomer or returning from Dawn of the Samurai, this sequel offers enough depth and spectacle to justify your next quest.

Retro Replay Score

5.7/10