Namco released new screenshots for their "hip-hop infused action/adventure game". Oh, dear. "Hip-hop infused"? Well, 50 Cent: Bulletproof actually sold well enough that a sequel is on the way. Given that this is based on an animated series from a manga, we'll see if gamers are ready for some "hip-hop infusion" in their anime. Afro Samurai will be the first Namco game developed by their new US studio. Patrick Klepek from MTV's Multiplayer blog has an interesting conversation with the game's producer.

I don't know the Afro Samurai series, but I figure anything with Samuel Jackson that doesn’t have the words "Star" or "Wars" somewhere in the title can't be all bad. After taking a look at these screen shots, I'm sold. The pen-and-ink look of the artwork is really lovely, like Okami gone blaxsploitation.

Plus, Afro Samurai smokes while he's fighting. It's all good and well to have a hero who dismembers his opponents in glorious geysers of blood. They all do that. But if there's one thing worse than a nipple in a videogame, it's smoking. Fight the power, Afro Samurai!