Visually, this game isn't stunning, but you can trust that it'll have some nicely polished graphics thanks to Capcom's attentions. There's a good amount of detail, and as always, the cut scenes are just gorgeous, as attractive as they are outrageous. The audio effects don't play much of a part to the game, but a sweeping symphonic score and some great voice acting make the game a good listening experience.
Onimusha is one of those truly satisfying franchises, capable of producing quality titles with each new iteration. I'd also take that one step further.
Onimusha 3 can be taken as the end of the Samanosuke storyline, so it is still the end of the Onimusha story. However, much like some of the television programs I enjoy, the title has been reborn with a fresh new start in this form, passing the torch down to Dawn of Dreams.
Although it still looks much like the old Onimusha games, there's just enough innovation here to make this a really worthwhile game. By stepping from an action packed exploration and puzzle game into a full blown action title, Dawn of Dreams has managed to breathe new life into this series.
I heartily recommend it. Browse games Game Portals. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams. Install Game. Click the "Install Game" button to initiate the file download and get compact download launcher. Locate the executable file in your local folder and begin the launcher to install your desired game. Game review Downloads Screenshots Take an actual event in Japanese history and splice it with an engaging story of fantasy and redemption and you have the first A-list game for the PS2.
Welcome to the world of Resident Evil , 16th century Japan-style. Onimusha takes place during the actual historical battle on the plain of Okehazama, AD. If you have played Resident Evil you'll feel right at home. The same changing camera angles are present, coupled with the same movement interface. Pressing forward on the directional pad or analog stick will move your character forward even if he is running across the screen. The part of the interface that is different is the combat factor; while playing, combat is up close and fast.
In Resident Evil you primarily shoot your enemies, but in Onimusha you will get close and personal as you slice and dice through your opponents using the various swords acquired throughout the game. Since combat is primarily melace, Samanosuke moves much faster than you would expect, providing some really cool fighting sequences. Imagine: Samanosuke enters a new room. There, five undead samurai amble toward him.
Samanosuke draws his sword and runs towards them. Faster than you can say 'giblets,'? No, this is not a cut-scene, this is typical of the fights that occur in the game. They're fast, fun, and greatly improve on the Resident Evil engine which could only be previously described as? Toward the beginning of the game, it is determined that Samanosuke is one bad dude; that is, when he's fighting humans. After getting beaten down by a giant demon, Samanosuke is visited by the remaining spirits of a long gone Ogre clan.
Sensing the nobility and purpose of Samanosuke, the Ogres combine the remainder of their once great power into a forged gauntlet that is given to our hero. When used, the gauntlet takes the escaping life energy of fallen enemies, which in turn converts into health, magic, or orb power. Orbs are magical items that Samanosuke finds along his journey and can be attached to his mystical gauntlet.
Each orb utilizes a different magic element that Samanosuke uses to fight his enemies. The blue orb, combined with the gauntlet, makes Samanosuke's sword launch lightning from the heavens down onto his foes.
Likewise, the red orb blazes fire from the blade. There are other orbs to find and use which in turn will create more magic. It's a simple way to greatly increase your character's attack power. In addition, occasionally a save station will be found where the recent number of kills souls can be used to charge up the orbs. This is necessary for two reasons.
One, the magic attack power increases, causing more damage to be inflicted on the more difficult of enemies. Two, throughout the journey strange colored locks are found on doors, which can only be opened by using the orbs. The larger the lock on the door, the more powerful the same colored orb must be.
Now, I stated earlier that you fight primarily using melace weapons. However, you do find the bow and arrows, which obviously can be used from a greater distance. The bow is a welcome addition due to the fact that it becomes necessary to hit enemies from a distance, especially when your health is low. Fortunately, health can be found in the form of herbs Resident Evil style , medicine, and strange fountains that are found periodically throughout the game, which restore all health and magic levels.
Don't worry, the challenge is still there as monsters constantly regenerate, proving that in order to make it through the entire game, Samanosuke is gonna get bloody. It is important to mention here how well the areas work with the gameplay. As in all good adventures, the more realistic the locales are, the greater the feel of the game. Expect to adventure in caves, fortresses, and palaces. All of which look authentic and make for a more dramatic gaming experience.
The first time I did battle with a demon on the roof of a building was pretty exciting as I wasn't expecting the fight to occur just then. That coupled with accurate architecture gave the game a greater ambience. Throwing in the creepy fogging effects and moonlight just added the frosting on the cake.
Continuing on, Samanosuke will have to overcome traps and puzzles in order to complete his quest. None of which are too terribly difficult. But in all fairness, you shouldn't be playing the game for the puzzles.
Yes, I wished they were a little more difficult, but it never hindered the gameplay. Puzzles include the Japanese lock boxes, deciphering languages from scrolls and such, and figuring out why there is a little man hanging from the ceiling upside down.
Again, while not terribly hard, they are original. Expect to play as Kaede during the game. Others include the orphan Yumemaru, the deceitful general Toukichiro, and the seemingly omnipotent Nobunaga Oda who catches the wrong end of an arrow to the neck in the opening sequence, but shows up alive and kicking later in the game.
Finally, it should be noted that this game has cut-scenes -- several at the beginning, with a few more throughout the game.
The cut-scenes are well done and play like an action movie. One small complaint though, if you have already watched a cut-scene you cannot skip it by pressing a button. You are forced to watch it, whether it's twice or 50 times. All I can say is that they are beautiful. Whether it's a cut-scene or actual gameplay, this game delivers on all fronts. Fire and lightning magic look awesome, very bright and sharp, like you're there.
Textures are rendered beautifully with shadows and different lighting effects including the dank dim appearance of dungeons. Humans look photorealistic and the monsters are sooooo evil looking. Bear in mind that a lot of them are taken from Japanese styles like the demon leader and although some may look strange they are all designed well.
As for lag, there is none -- even when seven monsters are all running around on-screen. Lastly, I really appreciated the body movement of the humans. Samanosuke and Kaede both move like real people using swords, very smooth and natural, not stiff and awkward. The time spent bit-mapping and rendering the characters was so well done my wife first thought I was watching ' Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Yes, this game plays and looks that good. Orchestra quality music, voices that can be chosen to be in English or Japanese, and the clang of swords echoing though the halls of a long abandoned keep. Sounds are very important in a game and one of this quality needs a full soundtrack and sound editing.
Both sound authentic and clear as a bell. Play this game on a surround sound system if you can and you will think you are watching a Hollywood big budget movie. And while the voice acting isn't the absolute best I have heard, it's far from the worst again Resident Evil. Whether it's the dripping of blood off a corpse or the scuffing of a zombie ambling towards you, it all sounds awesome.
A quality, thorough job done on all fronts. The fact that this is a horror video game set in feudal Japan sets it apart, making it original.
