I've tackled some of the most difficult challenges in video game history but this title is something else entirely
Now, one must first understand that the american version's normal mode is the original japanese version's hard, due to a design fault, which is the reason capcom was forced to release a special edition game, due to increasing amounts of angry players. On easy mode the difficulty becomes manageable, but if one attempts to play on hard, be prepared for some of the hardest bosses ever designed, some of the most difficult individual monsters ever thought up, and some of the most frustrating deaths you will ever experience, all of which you must take on with very little health being given out, and while you can buy potions, the good ones can sometimes go to 10,000 orbs a piece, which is the in game currency.
Then, if by some miracle you manage to get past this alive, chances are you'll get a c or d rank for taking to long on the level, using to many items, not doing enough combos or losing to much health, making you feel like all your headache inducing hard work is for nothing. Now, despite all this, I gave this game a 9 for one important reason: there is nothing wrong with challenge. I simply described the challenge, I'm not bashing it. In fact, I believe the games majorly difficult areas really test us as gamers, and if we only enjoyed games who hold ours hands the majority of the way through, can we really call ourselves hardcore gamers? I don't think so, but maybe I'm wrong.
As for the story, it is slow at first but picks up early off, around the fifth mission. The game also features an impressive set of music, which makes the battles more action esque. As for the combat, it is prone to button mashing at times, however one may be able to get sucked in anyway by the tons of impressive combos, and the large array of unique guns. As for the graphics, they are some of the most impressive seen on the ps2.
This is not a game marred with bugs or unplayable combat, and it isn't boring. It just, like all great things in life, requires patience and perserverance, and definitely deserves at least a rental.