7 Blades (PS2) - Teppo Oyuri Playthrough [Part 3]
Channel: Louis B
Date: 18/04/2016

Apparently based on a 1990 movie known as The Legend of Zipang (aka Jipangu), 7 Blades is something of an anamoly in the Playstation 2 library - especially given its only western release was in PAL territories.

And it with good reason I would argue because, despite its Medieval Japan setting, 7 Blades is super bland. The gameplay is a senseless mesh of platforming, hack 'n' slashing and logic based puzzle that all build to an overall boring (and surprisingly short) experience in all.

Everything about this feels rushed and hastily moved over from the original Playstation to the Playstation 2. You can run-through entire levels without fighting a single thing, and when you do, the games controls are so clunky that moving between the interface for different weapons and consumables can become a task in of itself. Slowdown ofcourse play a part when things get hairy but with the levels being as short and enclosed as they are, it is a wonder this game struggles to maintain its rate of speed. Even the presentation, which occasionally has its moments of suspense and fear in my time playing it, ultimately come off as shoddy, repetitive and sometimes downright annoying due to the way characters animate and how sequences are cut together. So much for those Hollywood quality cinematics.

Perhaps I can atleast give 7 Blades enough credit to acknowledge that the two campaigns do atleast feel like two different campaigns. This playthrough, as you can already tell, focuses on the main female character of the story - Teppo Oyuri (aka Pistol Lily) who deals primarily in gunplay with lots and lots of shooting. The male character, Gokurakumaru, has his own set of levels, quirks and bosses so be sure to look out for his playthrough once this video series is complete.

Otherwise, enjoy the awfulness that this video is about to bestow upon you!

PLEASE NOTE: This video is protected by FAIR USE LAWS listed under Section 30(1) of the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1989 and under section 107 of US Copyright Act 1976. It is a transformative piece of work, up for the purpose of research and critique as gameplay footage. 

Thanks for watching!