| Fans of Genndy Tartakovsky's "Samurai Jack," which | | | | into vapor when you attack them. |
| wrapped last year on the Cartoon Network, enjoy | | | | Tip: Try whenever possible to hit the targets with a |
| the quirky storytelling and stunning visuals, also the | | | | good quick thrust of Jack's katana. The game says |
| martial arts sequences. Naturally, it was only a matter | | | | other weapons are available to Jack, but for some |
| of time before the online gaming industry turned the | | | | reason you only see him use his katana. Go slow and |
| time-traveling samurai's adventures into video games. | | | | time your attacks so that the targets can't hit you |
| I haven't tried any of the games available for gaming | | | | first. |
| console systems, confining my efforts instead to | | | | Jack gets five "lives," and you can see the red meter |
| Cartoon Network's own Web Site. Its Games section | | | | slowly shrink as he is bombarded with digital mayhem. |
| features six games based on "Samurai Jack," including | | | | Try to at least hold on to the fourth "life" when |
| "The Way of the Warrior," in which the young | | | | getting to the second level. After you clear each level |
| samurai trains through several simulations for his | | | | the "life" you're currently on is replenished (Jack must |
| eventual battle with the shape-shifting evil sorcerer | | | | have been drinking his trademark green tea.) When |
| Aku (deliciously voiced by veteran actor Mako in the | | | | you get to the third level, try to keep at least three |
| series and console games). | | | | "lives," although you can get away with two. You |
| The other games invariably feature Jack battling | | | | need at least two to have a chance during the final |
| Aku's minions--robots, beetle insects, and the like. | | | | skirmish with Aku. |
| Two of the games feature a final showdown with | | | | At the end of the first two levels you do battle with |
| Aku. | | | | a giant adversary more powerful than the others: a |
| "Code of the Samurai" was a tie-in with a Samurai | | | | skeleton warrior on the first, a basket-head warrior |
| Jack marathon, so when you access the game, the | | | | on the second. The good news is you can watch its |
| interface asks you "Enter Code or Play." I advise | | | | "life" meter and track your progress on defeating it. |
| pushing Play since the original marathon was two | | | | The second level is filled with gears running amuck to |
| years ago. | | | | mow you down, blades slashing at you, and on all |
| Once you get into the game, you have to fight | | | | three levels you run the risk of falling in slime or on |
| through three treacherous levels before you even | | | | sharp spikes, which make you lose a life. Tip: Time |
| get to Aku. | | | | your jumps to avoid the gears, but don't get too |
| The first level features crumbling ledges, motorized | | | | jumpy, otherwise you fall into the slime. |
| spikes, machine-gun fire as you ride rock lifts up | | | | The third level features spikes, moving platforms and |
| mountains, and of course, the inevitable baddies | | | | even wider jumps, if that's possible. Tip: The vapor |
| waiting to attack you. Tip: When riding the rock lifts, | | | | demons can appear anywhere and are more |
| duck and jump to avoid the machine gun fire. Seize | | | | poweerful than the adversaries in the first two levels. |
| the opportunity when the second lift descends or | | | | But this workout is just practice, flexing your muscles |
| ascends close to the lift you're on, otherwise you'll | | | | for the clash with Aku. |
| have to avoid the gunfire until the lift comes back | | | | The final stage features ledges that sink into |
| within reach. The level features two lift challenges, all | | | | lava--you have to jump fast before you fall in. The |
| with a computerized attacker waiting at the top of | | | | computerized Aku is quite impressive, and just as in |
| the cliff. | | | | the series, flies off several times before Jack can |
| The creatures on all three levels are adversaries that | | | | deliver the final blow. But be brave, be steadfast, be |
| fans of "Samurai Jack" will recognize: zombie warriors, | | | | victorious, and you, gamer, will defeat the evil |
| Terminator-style robots who look like they have | | | | scourge! The conclusion to the game is satisfying and |
| baskets on their heads, and Aku's minions that turn | | | | delivers the anticipated emotional payoff. |