Hardcore Square fans rejoiced when it was announced that the Brave Fencer Musashi series was coming back. I'm happy to report that these stalwarts will not be disappointed. In other reviews in this issue, I've taken games to task for sticking to staid design and plot clichés. Well, here's the review where I look like a hypocrite because, while it definitely features some well-worn concepts and plotlines, there's something oddly appealing about this game that keeps things feeling fresh throughout your adventure.It's mostly down to superb execution. Square has implemented a character advancement and item system that rivals most full-blown RPGs. As expected, you can acquire new items and weapons, and improve your attributes in a number of areas. But what's really cool is how they've given you the ability to learn attacks from your enemies (á la Final Fantasy). By locking on to an enemy, you can instantly gain new abilities with a few well-timed button presses. It's ingenious, and adds a ton of depth to the proceedings. The deep and exacting combat is really at the core of what makes this a great game – especially in the gorgeous boss battles.Aside from the combat, I found the story element – while not too original – very compelling. It's mostly due to the humorous dialogue, which hits that perfect note of classic Japanese whimsy and silliness. Little touches like being referred to by my instructor as "unripe melon" or having an enemy taunt me by exclaiming "I'm wicked popular!" brought more than a few chuckles.While it does have its weaknesses (the levels are a bit generic and there was a bit too much backtracking for my taste), Musashi succeeds with great visual style, excellent humor, and rock-solid gameplay.Concept:A gorgeous and well-done sequel to a PSone cult classicGraphics:Cel shading is currently out of favor, but this shows how impressive it can be when done rightSound:Great score and funny voiceovers – too bad there's not more of themPlayability:Platforming can be a little frustrating, but the combat system is primo hack n' slashEntertainment:Musashi overcomes its weaknesses with charm, style, and great gameplayReplay:Moderately HighRated:8.25 out of 10Editor:Matt HelgesonIssue:March 20052nd Opinion:I was surprised at how charming I found Musashi to be as an action game, since it breaks many of the rules that I usually can't forgive – namely horrendous voice-overs and fairly repetitious gameplay. Even with these flaws the game manages to deliver a quality experience, which I would attribute to its fantastic art direction and entertaining boss encounters. It reminds of those mindless ninja games I used to play on NES for hours on end that really weren't that great or innovative, but delivered a nice serving of mindless hack n' slash with a heaping helping of the absurd. Musashi isn't for everyone. So I highly recommend a test drive before a purchase, but those that can look past its quirky story will be rewarded with a title that is a nice blend of Square Enix production values and good old-fashioned fun.Rated:7.5 out of 10Editor:Andy McNamaraSubscribe to Game Informer--Amazon.com