Rise of the Kasai is everything you would expect from a sequel. Many of the same elements that made the first game what it was turn up here, along with a few tweaks and changes to help give the game a sharp, new edge. The newer elements, namely the addition of an A.I.-driven partner and a few new kills, really don’t help Kasai to feel any different than the original.

Kasai uses the same Disney/Don Bluth-style art direction as the original, making it one of the most deceptive-looking games on the market. What looks like a beautiful, child-friendly game is actually a pretty violent offering – and boy does the violence look pretty. Transitions between moves are fluid and help to make even the more mundane combat moves look impressive. It’s hard not to not be impressed after watching Rau skewer an enemy in front of him, then throw his weapon in the air, catch it, and impale the guy behind him. Best of all, it was all done with two simple button presses, making you look like a Game God to on-lookers.

Story sequences really stand out and, in my mind, are second only to God of War’s cut-scenes in terms of pure style. As with the last game, the story is told through painted artwork. The only difference is that in Kasai, the brush-styled artwork is animated and doesn’t give way to the in-game models. Sequences are also told in an artsy way, using lots of symbols and simple marks to designate objects. These simple elements are enhanced by the storyteller’s words, making the story feel like it’s a real myth being told by a village storyteller.

Story pulls double duty in Rise of the Kasai, acting as both a prequel and sequel to the first game. Both timelines bring with them a different set of characters. When playing in the pre-Kri levels, you control Baumusu, who you might remember as being Rau’s mentor in the first game, and Griz, a quick fighter under Baumusu’s protection. Post-Kri levels once again give you control of Rau and his sister Tati, who has grown up into a head-strong, angst-ridden teenager. Both Griz and Tati possess a strange mark known as the Mark of Kri, which acts as the binding force between each story. Although each set of heroes have their own adventure and goals, their paths eventually cross one another.

Characters from each story arch more-or-less mirror each other. Rau and Baumusu are the game’s strong melee fighters while Tati and Griz are quicker, stealthier fighters. At the start of each level you can choose which of the two you wish to play as, while the A.I. picks up the duties of controlling the other character. Once in the level, each character is assigned a different path, each designed with their particular skills in mind. Eventually, both characters meet up to accomplish a larger goal, normally a boss fight. In addition to combat skills, each character also has the ability to look ahead in a level, which helps in planning strategies. The option is useful, especially during levels where you’re trying to be as quiet as possible. But once you alarm someone and it hits the fan, all planning goes out the window.

Lack of two-player multiplayer, either split-screen or Online, is what absolutely kills Kasai. It’s not that the A.I.-controlled character is completely useless (in fact, sometimes it’s too efficient), but not being able to solve puzzles or just kick ass with a friend in what really boils down to a brawler is a shame. Kasai just screams multiplayer, especially during boss fights that require coordination – something the A.I. seems to have a problem with. Basically, it does not work well with others.

In whole, Kasai clocks in at about 10-12 hours, more if you follow each path through every level or try to complete challenges. After this, there’s little incentive to go back through the game. Again, a few multiplayer options could have really helped to pump some new energy into the game and would have also offered some replay value.

As much as I’ve played the original, I didn’t find Kasai to be that much of a challenge. Newcomers will surely find the combat system confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, they should find themselves pulling off multiple kills in no time. The addition of an A.I.-controlled buddy makes the game a little too easy in some areas. The only times I noticed my buddy ever having problems was more because of a lack of teamwork than intelligence. From the start, the A.I. just runs off and does its own thing, even during fights where teamwork is needed. Some sort of basic “order” system – similar to what’s found in Freedom Fighters – would have gone a long way in making some areas more manageable.

Enemy A.I. isn’t nearly as efficient as the ally A.I. Most follow a “pack-dog” mentality and just gang up on you at once. Any challenges are usually a result of their use of better armor rather than being a better fighter.

As was the case in the first game, the most challenging aspect of the entire game is meeting level challenges. These usually include pulling off X number of certain kills or something to that extent. Challenges are really just side-quest items, so you don’t have to do them. They do, however, add some replay to the game and let you unlock new costumes and other items.

If it wasn’t for the A.I.-controlled buddy, Kasai could easily be mistaken for either Mark of Kri: The Lost Levels or an expansion pack. It’s easy to see how some gamers would feel let down by the lack of real change, but I didn’t have that much of a problem with it because I was a big fan of the first game. Plus, it meant that I didn’t have to spend numerous frustrating hours learning a completely new system.

Kasai uses the same “1 vs. everyone” formula as Kri. Unlike other games, where groups of enemies gang up on you only to wait their turn for an ass kicking, Kasai piles them on. Fights are handled via an innovative control scheme using the right analog stick and the controller’s four face buttons. Rotating the right analog stick marks foes, each designated by a symbol above their head. Each symbol also happens to correspond to a button on the controller; so pressing X sends a big blade in the direction of the unlucky enemy marked X. Enemies attack all at once, making combat as fast-paced as it can get. Yes, combat essentially breaks down to simple button mashing as you try to hit the guy closest to you, but the system is fluid, and who cares if you’re really only running on instinct. Pressing certain combinations, in addition to hacking at everything in sight, results in the game’s really nasty kill maneuvers. As I said up top, it may look like an innocent kid’s game, but looks are deceiving.

For those who would rather a little finesse in their ultra-violence, Kasai also features a number of ranged and surprise (stealth) tactics. Characters have ranged weapons, like bows, to knock off enemies from a distance – most of the time without them even noticing. Knocking off enemies from a distance is usually a smart move when you can, especially when they’re holding horns, which are used to alarm the rest of the area of your presence and call in reinforcements. Pulling off stealth kills works just like normal combat (only you’re usually unarmed and attacking from behind). Target selection works the same way as in normal combat, only instead of just pressing the button, you have to wait for it to stop blinking. Do this right and you’re usually rewarded with a nice neck crack or some other elaborate kill depending on what’s available in the area. Double stealth kills are also possible, but require a three-button sequence to activate.

I really liked The Mark of Kri, and to some extent I enjoyed Rise of the Kasai just as much. At the same time, gameplay doesn’t stray too far from the original, causing the original feel to wear thin. The result is a game that feels more like an expansion pack than a true sequel. If you enjoyed the first game or action games in general, Rise of the Kasai makes a better rental than purchase.