The Mark of Kri
| The Mark of Kri | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | SCE San Diego Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Composer(s) | Jack Wall |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 81.46% |
| Metacritic | 80/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| AllGame |    |
| Edge | 7/10 |
| EGM | 8.5/10 |
| Eurogamer | 7/10 |
| Game Informer | 9/10 |
| GamePro | |
| Game Revolution | B+ |
| GameSpot | 7.5/10 |
| GameSpy | |
| GameZone | 8.9/10 |
| IGN | 8.8/10 |
| OPM (US) | |
| The Cincinnati Enquirer | |
| Entertainment Weekly | A |
The Mark of Kri is an action-adventure game developed by SCE San Diego Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment exclusively for PlayStation 2. The game was followed by Rise of the Kasai, which was released in April 2005.
With an art team consisting mostly of former 2D animators, The Mark of Kri offered a juxtaposition of cartoonish character designs and graphic violence while employing a unique visual style influenced by various Polynesian cultures and art.
The game also featured elements of adaptive music, with techniques developed specifically for the game, and "incredibly tight synchronization [with] on-screen state changes."
The protagonist, Rau Utu, is known as a great warrior. Accompanied by a raven, Kuzo, and trained by his mentor and adopted father, Baumusu, he was taught stealth and extraordinary skill with his sword. He was also taught to help those in need rather than act as a mercenary. The game begins with Rau being asked a favor by the village tavern keeper, who says that bandits are keeping business away and asks Rau to look into it. After Rau takes care of the bandits, news of his prowess as a warrior spreads far and wide.
This leads to a mysterious man showing up in the tavern, who offers Rau money for his services. Despite the uneasy feeling that Rau has about the man, he accepts his offer. He then travels to the forest of Heiadoko, where he retrieves a piece of parchment from the tomb of Sambu-usu. This parchment, however, is actually one of the Marks of Kri - human skin. Rau returns home from his job to find that he's been taken advantage of by the mysterious man.
The man turns out to be a member of an evil organization, the Kasai, and is devoted to its efforts to rule the world. Furthermore, the money Rau received from him was counterfeit. Rau then is told by an elderly woman to head north to find a tree and eat its fruit. This tree informs him both of the Mark of Kri, and his destiny to protect a captured boy. The boy, the oracle says, holds the fifth mark, which someone known as the "Dark One" will soon have in his possession. Furthermore, it is revealed that Rau not only has a great destiny, but will be among the gods. Finally, Rau is told that the sixth and final mark is well protected.
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Wikipedia