Games Happy

Onimusha: Means of the Sword may simply have among the greatest boss battles I’ve ever encountered in a online game, proper up there with the likes of Metallic Gear Rising: Revengeance or Kingdom Hearts II. Every one is masterfully orchestrated and singularly thrilling, just like the climax of an motion movie strung out throughout a complete 20-hour expertise. And the remainder of the sport round these boss fights equally has loads to like as properly, with improbable characters that fill out a wealthy world steeped in actual Japanese mythology and fantasy. Whereas there is a little bit of fluff tacked on within the aspect actions, Means of the Sword is a brand new masterpiece of motion video games and Capcom’s greatest sport of the yr up to now — and that is actually saying one thing. 

It has been a whopping 20 years for the reason that launch of the final Onimusha sport (not together with remasters), and for all functions, Means of the Sword capabilities as an entire reboot of the franchise. The story is nearly solely disconnected from previous video games, exterior of comparable themes and concepts, and the gameplay has been overhauled to fall extra in step with character motion video games and a contact of open-zone exploration. It is a fairly drastic reimagining of Onimusha, truthfully, however regardless of that, the sport manages to nail among the integral parts which have made the collection what it’s. Each single Onimusha sport has diverged extensively when it comes to design, from the primary sport being straight up Resident Evil with a sword, to the third sport feeling extra like Satan Might Cry with a wild time-traveling storyline that includes Jean Reno (sure, the actor). 

For Means of the Sword, there is a pretty stark horror theme that permeates your complete sport, and it is achieved fairly properly. Whereas Musashi does have just a few allies, it is a sport a couple of single swordsman going through down one unspeakable horror after one other, and struggling to retain his personal humanity alongside the way in which. That vibe interprets to the sport’s fight system, which feels methodical and demanding, and evolves into one thing really spectacular as you unlock an array of choices. 

Going down within the Edo interval, Means of the Sword follows the legendary real-life wandering samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Locked in a lethal duel along with his rival Ganryu, the pair are ambushed by horrifying creatures referred to as Genma. Mercilessly slaughtered and despatched to hell, the pair are introduced again by a mysterious power and given Oni Gauntlets, highly effective gadgets that improve their energy by absorbing souls. Musashi finds himself within the thick of a struggle to save lots of the world from the forces of hell by combating off the Genma and absorbing their souls, whereas Ganryu takes the precise reverse path, slaughtering harmless folks to construct his energy. 

I would not say previous Onimusha video games have had poor tales, however they had been extra pleasant camp than something. In Means of the Sword, nonetheless, storytelling is a gigantic focus, each when it comes to worldbuilding and sophisticated character arcs. Musashi himself is an completely lovable protagonist, a little bit of a bumbling idiot in each regard besides his swordsmanship, however an inherently sort soul who groans and complains each time somebody asks him for assist, however does it nonetheless. I truly discover Musashi a selected spotlight of this sport, and his likeness relies on legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune, who even performed the character Musashi within the Samurai Trilogy.

Mifune’s likeness is truthfully astounding right here; the actor’s facial tics have been recreated precisely, and the sheer persona instilled within the character by facial animations, in addition to the vocal performances, is unbelievable. Provided that Capcom labored intently with Mifune’s property, and that is an virtually precise efficiency of what the actor has achieved earlier than, Means of the Sword feels extra like honoring the late actor as an alternative of being exploitative. 

That is simply probably the greatest makes use of of the RE Engine we have seen but, particularly when it comes to character animations. There are additionally genuinely just a few enemy designs on this sport which are so grotesque, and rendered in such element, that it made me bodily shudder. Equally, there’s loads of spectacular vistas and genuinely beautiful nature, particularly as Musashi clears the “corruption” throughout town and begins to return issues to regular. It’s kind of just like Capcom’s Kunitsu-Gami, in how the oppressive greyscale world will get returned to vibrance and life.

Musashi is the beating coronary heart of the sport, a captivating weirdo that fills the horrifying, nightmare-filled Kyoto with brevity, however there are a bunch of supporting parts round him that make Means of the Sword’s world and narrative memorable. Juxtaposed towards Musashi is his rival Ganryu, a form of foil that pops up repeatedly all through the sport, and a very eccentric weirdo that performs splendidly off the extra stoic protagonist. A handful of supporting characters help Musashi alongside the way in which, however particularly, I actually love Okuni, who’s traditionally the creator of Kabuki. Her arc is extremely compelling, stuffed with emotional scenes, and she or he matches properly as a form of sidekick. 

However the different aspect right here is how properly Means of the Sword makes use of actual mythology, native myths, and legends from throughout Kyoto. Whereas it is woven into the primary story, these myths are additionally given nice element in readables and collectibles. For instance, as you discover Kyoto, it can save you Lion Canines, which result in rewards, however every one additionally provides you a unique fantasy or legend to learn within the menu. And these are given huge element, not just some strains, however precise, whole paragraphs and pages. It is all solely optionally available, however there’s a lot wealthy backdrop given to the world, when you select to pursue it. 

These myths additionally set the stage for the sport’s enemies, the Genma, and the way in which the fight system performs out. Each enemy within the sport is a few sort of warped, grotesque chimera of people or different animals. The facility of the Oni gauntlet provides Musashi the flexibility to face towards the monsters, upping his energy and supplying you with entry to an array of various weapons and talents. However the core of the fight system is intentionally centered on swordplay and dueling,  and mastering Musashi’s fundamental moveset. 

To maintain issues easy, you basically have 4 fundamental strikes: mild assault, heavy assault, deflect, and dodge. On prime of that, each you and enemies have a well being gauge and a stamina gauge, and if the stamina gauge is depleted, it opens up a massively damaging assault. Means of the Sword’s fight closely emphasizes timing and a form of rhythmic method to fight. Deflecting on the precise proper moments makes clashing swords mild up in a bathe of sparks and briefly stagger the enemy. Hitting the assault button on the precise proper second permits you to use the Onimusha collection’ iconic Issen assault, immediately slashing the enemy in two. Issens are extremely exhausting to time proper, however you need to use them towards any enemy within the sport, even bosses. There is a improbable form of cinematic aptitude to each fight encounter, dropped at the entrance by actually dynamic animations and particular results, making battles typically really feel like movie set items. 

The ebb and movement of dueling is the place Means of the Sword shines, and the sport then provides onto it with Oni Weapons that every have a definite assault and gauge, like a spear that whips up a whirlwind throughout you, or a pair of hammers that bashes large parts of the stamina gauge off. Throughout the sport, you may additionally unlock an array of recent talents that tie into each your exploration and fight talents — Oni Agility permits you to run on partitions, but additionally permits you to unlock a fast restoration transfer the place Musashi immediately leaps up after being knocked down. 

When it comes to the final construction of the sport, Means of the Sword is cut up into form of two halves: hand-designed story ranges and an open zone space the place you possibly can discover and deal with aspect quests, seek for treasure, and extra. This central Kyoto space is completely full of secrets and techniques and issues to find, in addition to new aspect quests that pop up throughout the 20- 30 hours. These sidequests are important for levelling up Musashi’s gear and abilities, but additionally the place loads of the sport’s myths and lore are explored by “Mysteries” missions. These extra story-based aspect quests are universally nice, however there’s an entire part of different “Encounter” sort missions which are little greater than generic filler. The pacing stays fast and snappy in these primary story missions and Mysteries, however I want among the additional aspect content material felt extra significant, past simply busy methods to get improve supplies. 

Primarily based on the demo, I do know lots of people had worries about Means of the Sword’s issue, and I am glad to report that it is completely a non-issue within the full sport. Whereas fight does begin remarkably straightforward, there is a very noticeable rise throughout your complete sport, with issue intentionally ramping up. And that is very true within the sport’s bombastic boss battles, that are the place the very best parts of Means of the Sword really shine by. 

Each single boss battle within the sport appears like an occasion, and every boss has massively distinctive movesets and talents that you will want to regulate and react to. One boss might need lightning spheres that come out of his assaults, making you dodge lightning strikes on prime of fundamental assaults. One other is a form of chimera with a snake tail, demanding that you just dodge as an alternative of parry when you actually need to be efficient. The a number of instances you struggle Ganryu are particular highlights, every one feeling like a dramatic one-on-one duel to the loss of life. 

These boss battles are the place your entire abilities are put to the take a look at, when you’ve mastered parrying, dodging, how you can successfully use your Oni Armaments, and extra. Sure sub-bosses do get reused throughout the sport, however all the main story bosses are simply highlights of the sport, dramatic showdowns the place the fight system completely sings, and there are some really jaw-dropping moments when it comes to scale late within the sport. 

There is a clear degree of ambition in Means of the Sword that is astounding, and one thing I by no means would have anticipated from the revival of one thing like Onimusha, a collection that remained pretty area of interest all through the years within the grand scheme of issues. It is outstanding how properly the horror and motion parts of the sport come collectively, whereas the final vibe and quirky off-the-wall weirdness and sensible use of actual historical past of the collection stays baked in. These quirky little particulars come to life in most of the sport’s quiet moments and aspect tales, whereas the primary story beats sustain an enormous and bombastic pacing. And it is in the end that dichotomy that I believe actually makes Onimusha stand out. 

Sure, you have acquired loads of intense, nail-biting character motion. However alongside that, you additionally get a genuinely well-paced and fascinating story, and a wealthy and sophisticated world rife with real-world particulars you possibly can dig into. In the easiest way, Means of the Sword appears like a golden period motion film, completely treading that line between pulse-pounding and emotionally evocative. Musashi is an all-timer of a hero that is instantly likable from the very first body you see him, following within the footsteps of numerous different Capcom protagonists.

It is exhausting to think about how this could possibly be a stronger comeback for Onimusha, and in an already unbelievable yr for Capcom, I can not consider that I am saying Onimusha: Means of the Sword simply sits on the prime of the mountain.

9