Setting/Concept:
Remember those old choose your own adventure books? Think of those. Only as a video game. And with samurai. You create your own character (face, outfit, name) and set out for MADDENING ADVENTURE. You are a drifter who happens to be going through an area where a fierce battle for control is about to take place. The best part is, you can side with anyone you damn please.

Graphics:
The graphics aren't as good as most new games on the market. Characters look alright, but clipping/jaggies are high. Some environments look almost poor.

Character design:
Characters are varied and unique. Also, depending on how you play, you'll find that almost all of them have a redeeming quality or two. Though, you'll want to switch alliances just to kill some. Each unique enemy has their own weapon and a signature move or two.

Area design:
The areas don't look spectacular, but they serve as a nice setting for the story. Various paths to connect the areas (there are about seven or eight) and such.

Controls:
This game controls very well. You've got various attack buttons, effective means of dodging and blocking, and a few others that are pretty much standard. The only complaint I'd have is not having a kick button. Since kicks are included in the game (R1+triangle), you'd think they could have assigned it a button. Sometimes the buttons don't seem to synch up very well, and you end up not kicking. Which sucks, since kicking things is the only way to pick them up when your sword is drawn. Oh look, a tasty food stuff to replenish my health! No, I can not kick it! Arg, the searing pain that tears through my back is much akin to the blade of my adversary! Ach, I am deathed.

Gameplay:
Gameplay ranges from pant-tightening goodness to brain-melting pain. First the good. When you start, you have 0 game points and only one sword. By playing through the game (it's pretty short if you just go straight through the story scenes or leave the pass) multiple times, you can save swords you gain and accumulate more game points each time. Game points automatically unlock new features, such as additional tutorials, versus game options, and new looks for your main characters. Assuming you die, you lose any swords you were carrying at the time, but you will still get game points for that play through. Each different style of sword (high, low, middle, ninja, one handed, etc) has a different set of moves, some with special moves for only that sword. The game spans two days in Rokkatsu Pass, each broken into morning, dusk, and night. Different story scenes take place depending on where you are, what group you affiliate yourself with, and what time it is. The game has 6 different endings. If you feel like stopping early and just taking your swords, you can leave through a path near the railroad and still get points. Unfortunately, money does not carry over, though you can bring two swords into a new game with you, so you can just gain money during the game to have the smith improve it. After a good number of playthroughs, you can easily move on to Normal difficulty. If you like samurai type games, this is quite fun and offers a good bit of variety. Now for the pain. This game is buggy, very, very buggy. You'll often get the message that you unlocked something new, though it will not show up (I'm not sure yet if that means you can't get it, or if you get it later and the message triggers at the wrong point value). I've heard accounts of the game freezing, as well. Due to the saving system (saving is only for starting again later, you can't reload if you messed up. As such, a power outage or a freeze would erase all your game progress), many people find it important to make a copy of their save after every play. So, blah.

Sound:
Sound effects are standard, though the sound effect for enemies dropping an item is pretty helpful, especially if you're with a partner and don't see the drop. Music is mood appropriate, though not super-fantabulous. No voice acting, just occasional grunts or groans or screams or yells.

Overall
Setting/Concept: 10
Graphics: 6
Character Design: 9
Area Design: 8
Controls: 9
Gamplay: 7
Sound: 8

Summary
This is a prime example of an innovative idea that could have been an instant classic being killed by shoddy programming and rushing. If not for it's development flaws, this game would easily be one of the best in the PS2 line up. As is, it's a game you might have to consider renting first, and it's probably a good idea to get a second memory card if you don't have one. If not, look forward to losing your sexy +500/+50/+50 sword to a game crash some day.
-Fuma