Otogi: Myth of Demons On a dark and gloomy bridge [lots of Japanese folklore] you play a sword wielding warrior. That's the short version of the games backstory. Now, let me start out by stating that Otogi is an action game pure and simple. The story, while certainly not hollow, takes a back seat to hacking and slashing everything that moves and a bunch of stuff that doesn't. A lot is being said about Otogi being a game of "style over substance" but that's not true at all. Style is a component of every good action game and Otogi is no exception. As long as that style is paired with good controls and tactile action. The graphics are certainly stylish and the animation and effects are very well done. The environments are mythical and give you a sense of being in another world which is sort of the point. You are a warrior trapped between the living world and the not-so-much living world. You need to clean house in order to redeem your past. Pretty classic stuff but its presented well with some adequate voice acting. You get your butt kicking orders from a princess (heard but not seen) and you job is to use a bunch of demons for sword practice. In a similar fashion as Shinobi and Devil May Cry you can do some pretty cool fighting. The best of it is performed while airborne. Taking out the enemies with style takes some practice. Familiarity with the camera and targeting systems is important and it can be frustrating at times. You can lock the camera onto an enemy and this will help you be aware of that enemies location. While not locked on, you have more control and are even able to snap the camera around quickly with a tap on the thumbstick. I would have liked a little more control while locked on or even the ability to switch targets without having to lock-on, lock-off (karate Kid Style) but that may be just sour grapes. Once you do learn the controls, there is quite a lot of fun to be had hacking way through the 25+ levels of Otogi. As each level is introduced, you are given your orders. Most of them are simply to destroy all the demons but there are the occasional "protect this" or "search for that" to keep things a little more interesting. Another nice touch is that fact that most of the environments are completely destructible. Much like Mech Assault there is great satisfaction and feedback simply destroying the world around you. Levels are fairly small and laid out to show off your fighting and flying skills. The good news about the flying is it is no way near as punishing staying aloft as in say Gunvalkyrie or Shinobi. You are allowed to stay aloft as long as you have enough magic in the "meter" and this can be replenished throughout the level. More than anything, this game mechanic serves as a loose time limit but you can still stop and smell the roses if you like. In most levels, you can go at a leisurely pace but a few are set up to see if you can keep up with the demons. Although, there is the element of a time limit, you are allowed to go back to previously cleared levels and collect any stuff you may have missed. I like when games offer this type of backtracking because it gives less skilled gamers a chance to play catch-up to the Zen masters whithoug feeling like cheaters. Enclave allowed this and many reviews overlooked this feature when considering how difficult the game really is. Like Enclave, going back to cleared levels will allow you to collect more experience and gold to level up your character. "Level Up"? Yes, I said it. Otogi does have some RPG elements although they are hardly fleshed out. You simply level up as you progress but you don't have any choice in the matter. You do have some choice as to weapons and a few accessories at the beginning of each level and these are earned by finding gold, secrets, and accomplishing certain combat feats. All in all, you should not think of Otogi as an RPG or even RPG-lite or you will find it severely lacking. I never really care what "genre" a game is in, all I care about is if its fun and for how long. Otogi is certainly fun, the big question is for how long. For many gamers, Otogi will present them with a very decent challenge and they will find themselves going back to finish off levels even before they get very far into the game. For others, they will want to just get through all the levels and not backtrack unless needed. Either way the game should last at least 12 hours but those who want (or need) to replay cleared levels I would say at least 15 hours the first time through. So, how good it Otogi? I have to admit, that's a tough one to call. I find Otogi very much a "one trick pony" but that trick is very cool. If you are a fan of action, hack and slash, I am certain you will find a lot to like about the game. If you are they type of gamer that needs a game to have layers, side quests, involving story, mini-games and the like you may have your fill of Otogi in a matter of a few hours. As an action game, Otogi is very high quality stuff. How much you get out of it will simply depend on how much you like pure action games. As far as reviews go, its a bit of a cop out but I think many gamers will understand exactly what I mean. Is Otogi a good game? Absolutely. Will it appeal to me? How would I know? An no review should try to tell you different.
In an age where developers are taking larger and larger risks by investing in relatively unknown projects to promote diverse and unique games, Otogi: Myth of Demons is truly a Greek tragedy, being so exemplary a title, b... Read Full Review
Graphics: The graphics in the game are what you would call an artistic masterpiece. The game looks gorgeous in almost every way, except for some minor problems. The environments in the game are what looks the best. Th... Read Full Review
