Thankfully, I've never grown bored of doing this, primarily because I just enjoy the adrenaline rush brought on by beating up a PS2 controller. Plus, getting 100 slashes isn't always easy because of the clock as well as fatigue, so reaching this goal is usually a challenge. Plus, there are typical action adventure elements that come into play including 50 plus weapons and items to purchase, all of which can boost your attack or defense.
I'm also giving kudos to Grasshopper for just making the game strange, though I expected as much, seeing as how this same developer is responsible for the off beat thriller, Killer 7. There were a lot of things that made me go "wha!?!" but in a good way. The loading screens, the sound effects, a random squirrel that was sitting between Jin at Fuu while inside of a town. Just crazy things, but given the nature of the series it works, especially the kooky mini games. Beetle Sumo Wrestling, Shaved Ice Eating contests...to play them is to love them.
Music is a huge part of Champloo the series and the same can be said of the videogame. The hip hop isn't really all that intense, and with that being said, it's not as crazy as anything you'll see on TV or hear on the radio. It's just very chill.
Unfortunately, the game is good, not excellent. I dig the frantic slashing, yet at the same time, I don't like how many of the enemies just stand there waiting to be bashed in the face. There's also an awkward delay between character responses during conversations. It's like, someone will say something to the effect of, "We could go, but..." and then seconds pass before the character that interrupts delivers his or her line. It's not too bad, but it is noticeable.
Then there are the visuals. To put it nicely, I've seen better. Grasshopper didn't go to great lengths to make Sidetracked as stylized as Killer 7. The game is bland looking, some of the textures are pixilated, and the in game character models are rife with jaggies. It's first generation to the max, not terrible, not ugly, but not what I expect from the parties involved working on a system that's over five years old.
Lastly, I'm baffled with the save system. The game is divided into chapters, and the only way to save a game is after completing one of them, which makes Sidetracked an annoying game to play if you've got a busy life. Nothing says "damnit" better than having to run out and not being able to save your progress because you're only half way through a chapter.
Through these faults, Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked still shines as one of the best anime-based games ever created. Not only is it fun to play, but its developer remained true to the source material, so Jin and Mugen are still at one another's throats, Fuu just cannot stop being captured, and the hip hop flows like warm sake. But it's mostly for the fans. However, if you've never watched the show I still recommend playing it. You may be surprised.
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