For those looking to live out their samurai fantasies.... This one's for you!!!
Gameplay 10/10
From the time I opened the case and saw it was 2 dvd's worth of gaming goodness I knew there was something special about this one. The opening cinematic literally had me at "konnichiwa". From running through the streets of old Japan to the huge 2 story boss battle (first boss too) was like OMG. The smoothness and ease of the controls were an absolute delight from the get go also so easy to pick up and even harder to put down. One word for me with this game was "Absofrickinlutelymazing" . At first I thought same old stuff in the way of weapons and armour etc etc I was so wrong, so many weapons to use and upgrade and items to mix and the fun never stopped. As we start we have just the one character, but as we go one we find another 4 friends ready and willing to help our hero out to take down the evil Emperor Hideyoshi. Truly an epic task indeed. So quickly do we find ourselves doing this though with a virtual blood soaked smile from ear to ear, with each enemy/ boss dispatched.
Graphics 10/10
Mindblowing seriously, this is the best of the series thus far hands down in my opinion. As I stated earlier, from the first 2 storey boss you face to Hideyoshi himself to each and every enemy is truly spectacular. The backgrounds at times are truly breathtaking almost inviting one to lay down their sword and just look at the scenery, beautiful. The towns are very well designed and very inviting for the lone traveller and his sword. The characters are very well animated and with very little lag anywhere everything is just truly a sight for blood stained eyes.
Sound 9.5/10
The score is a beutiful masterpiece, one I would like to find eventually. Rising tones for when the action starts to rise into a steady climax to just beautiful ambient sounds marred by the sounds of our future victims trapsing about what seedy derelict building we happened to have wandered into at that time. The sounds of the victims dying or bosses is spot on also. The only downside I have is the same really with all Onimusha's in the series, voice acting. It can always be better and in alot of ways this one is the same.
Replayability 10/10
Lots to see and do with this one for sure. From the likes of upgrading all weapons possible to finding every hiding side quest we can find, to the puzzle boxes (yes they have made another return). Truly this is the best of the series and with 5 heros to upgrade and background stories to discover, this is easily the biggest and most in depth.
Overall 9.5/10
In a game like this it is very hard to fault it, but I must be down to earth about it and the one thing that did let me down was the voice acting which at times was that annoying for me I just turned down teh sound and read the subtitles. Other than that this is one beast of a hack & slash and Capcom are very worthy of a pat on the back for themselves This is beautiful, captivating, enthralling and overall just an absolute joy to play.
Go out and buy it now, steal it if you must (or legally borrow it) if needs be hack your way to a copy of it, but most of all make sure you play this little samurai badboy.
Till next I come back your way.....
Keep on gaming hardcore all!!!