Chambara
Overview -
The University of Southern California has one of the best game design programs in the world and has spawned talented alumni such as thatgamecompany founders Jenova Chen and Kellee Santiago. Now the college has begun publishing games made by its students. The first title to be released is 'Chambara' by a group of USC students called team ok. It's a first-person multiplayer game where players use a two-toned environment to hide from and surprisingly attack their competitors.
Video Review
All of 'Chambara' is built upon its graphics, so understandably it's the star here. The developer has made the graphics inseparable from the gameplay, and that's quite the accomplishment. I was constantly wowed by the way each level looked as team ok has selected fantastic color variants for the level. From colors that clashed like black and white to warm shades that complemented each other, these selections often set the mood for a match. My only complaint is that I wish that there were more stages to look at, as I saw everything the game had to offer after an hour.
Audio Review
While the visuals are top-notch in 'Chambara,' the same can't be said for its audio. The game actually makes a smart design choice by having music take a backseat and letting sound effects and ambiance take center stage. This is so players, ideally, could listen to audio cues and find where their opponent is hiding. Sadly, the audio isn't mixed to a satisfying degree to where this is feasible, and since everyone hears all of the same audio there is no way to know where it is coming from. It misses the mark despite its good intentions.
Final Thoughts
The first game published by USC features a fantastic concept that is executed well, but one that really feels like it could've used some more time to be fleshed out. 'Chambara' is a fun local multiplayer diversion, but the lack of online play and variety really stifles the overall experience. Hopefully a sequel will be able to take the game to the next level, but as of now I'm left with a rad proof of concept that is best played in short bursts.