Few people saw a whole lot of depth in Red Entertainment's first PS2 game, Gungrave, but most saw a nice, compact little bundle of frenetic fun, us included. Which is why we're happy to hear that their next PlayStation 2 effort, Bujingai, has finally been picked up by a U.S. publisher. BAM! Entertainment, a publisher certainly not rolling in the dough these days, has taken a serious chance (and we're hoping it pays off, since this is the same publisher that was willing to bring over WipEout Fusion when Sony wouldn't).



What's more, the talent involved in the project is impressive to say the least. Yosuke Kuroda, writer on anime series like Trigun and Love Hina and Toshiro Kawamoto, who created character designs for Cowboy Bebop (as well as supervised animation on Mobile Suit Gundam and the Cowboy Bebop movie) are both involved. Regardless of the gameplay, nobody could deny that the anime clips created for Gungrave were certainly impressive, and with this being Red's third anime-themed game (the other project the developer is working on right now is a Trigun conversion), there's little reason to believe the game will be plenty fun to look at.



In fact, a look at the game reveals plenty about the influences from the gorgeous Otogi on Xbox, touches of Prince of Persia or Shinobi and even some pinches of Devil May Cry. The overall effect is that of an incredibly kinetic combo-filled action game with some fancy wall running and plenty of impressive effects work. Publisher Taito obviously feels the game would be best carried in the loving hands of BAM! here in the States, as evidenced by the two companies' comments.

"We feel that BAM! is the ideal publisher to bring Bujingai to the U.S. market," explained Hironori Ishii, General Manager of Overseas Releases. "BAM!'s knowledge of the North American market made them the right choice to get this great game in front of an even greater audience of PlayStation 2 fans. We are delighted that BAM! shares our enthusiasm for bringing this unique martial arts experience to gamers across North America."

"We are very pleased and excited to have the opportunity to be working with Taito in bringing their product to North America," echoed Ray Musci, Chief Executive Officer of BAM! Entertainment. "It is obvious that the team at Red Entertainment has put its heart and soul into creating one of the most outstanding and unique martial arts games available on PlayStation 2. Bujingai has received strong editorial acclaim since its launch in Japan and we believe that this product will have equal appeal and reception in the U.S. market."

Blending Hong Kong wirework with anime-inspired movements, Bujingai tells the story of Lau, a warrior who must battle his way through post-apocalyptic Asia to rescue a possessed fellow warrior. The third person hack and slash adventure affords Lau the ability to glide through the air, dash at incredible speed and run up and along walls all while whipping out massive combo runs through scads of enemies. Certainly sounds like fun to us.



We'll have more on Bujingai (including if that name sticks, as retailers everywhere are probably weeping silently at the thought of all the mispronunciations) as soon as BAM