I really hoped this would turn out differently. After playing a few minutes of Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma at E3 over the summer, I had hope that the mediocrity of the original could be atoned for with this unassuming but interesting looking sequel. It features a new story branching off of the original’s, what was touted as improved combat and the return of RZA and Takashi Okasaki, both of whom were integral to Afro Samurai‘s success. Unfortunately, Afro Samurai 2 isn’t just a letdown of a sequel: it’s a technical mess of a game that left me scratching my head at just about every turn.

Stealing the spotlight from the titular badass is Kuma, Afro’s adoptive brother who was defeated in the original story and presumed dead, until the opening of the game finds the bear-headed rival regaining his strength and looking for revenge.