Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams [PS2/JPN]

[jimtendo]

Just played the Japanese version, which can be turned fully English through the options screen, very much like the JPN Devil May Cry 3.

Well, firstly you start off as Soki (the lad with the devil horns, clad in blue armour) and pretty much controls like previous Onimusha's apart from one exception, and that is the new camera, where it hangs behind you at most of the time (there are some times where the camera is fixed) though i must say that the default camera position may be a little too close. So you may need to tap 'up' on the right analog stick (or maybe a second time) to get a slightly further camera out.

You have a new kick move (hold R1 then press circle) plus other tag team options.

The game starts off with a wonderful intro where 2 fighters are battling out on top of roofs, which then changes to a scene with Soki and the evil undead. Nice stuff.

Graphically, it has some kind of 'bloom' effect, most akin to the O.TO.GI series and various other FROMsoftware games.

I haven't really progressed that far at the moment.
I don't have a secondary character fighting alongside me yet, so i dont know how their AI is like and what kind of combo possibilities i can try out with them.

More later...

[SummAh]

I got the game yesterday and enjoyed it greatly. Currently still playing on Disc one. (Yes, it's 2 DVDs for this game).

So far there are a total of 5 playable characters, each with its own set of skills(which u must upgrade) and of coz, its own set of weaknesses.

As geektanic already mentioned, this game has a new camera akin to RE4.

However, it will also swap back to the old onimusha pov at specific moments (like going into an alley...backlane etc etc. All in all, the transition is done quite smooth.

The fighting system in this current onimusha has gone through quite a hefty change.

AI partner: The main character (soki) doesn't fight alone. After a short while, he hooks up with other characters (all have their own reasons for joining the fight). AI partners are controllable via [D-pad].

The player can give its AI partner 4 different commands. Player can choose to tell their partner to either go all out, follow and attack, defend and recover OR, use their unique ability. For example, if soki is set as a AI partner, his unique ability is simply, absorbing souls (hah).

Players can switch characters by tapping L2. It's pretty much the same as Billy/Rebecca in RE0.

Naturally, all fans of onimusha = fans of critical counters. While the basic principal of counters remains the same (aka, strike ur enemy as the very last moment), the Oni moves have been changed in this latest onimusha. Now, u can initial critical counters with super (aka, triangle button).

New to the series is PARRY! After a successful parry, ur follow up attack is considered as critical counter ^^.

The game requires abit of backtracking (like all onimusha games). All previously completed stages are available for revisiting. That way, you can open up new paths, gain orbs/lvls or.... take part in TEST OF VALOR!

Test of valor is new to this series. I suppose, it is easily best mirrored by DMC's mission mode. You have a specific set of time to complete a challenge. At the end, u're graded by the amt of damage u dealt, the amt of damage u recieved etc and given a grade. Of coz, you win good stuff too ^^.

Ok, time to get on to the superficial stuff ^^.

GFX wise...it's quite pretty to look at. However, the character models feels abit stiff during certain cutscenes.

Music: It's certainly more...hmm, enegertic? Upbeat n' exciting definitely.

Story is certainly very interesting. I would like to go into detail with regards to the story. Unfortunately, I've forgotten how to do spoiler....oops^^

Anyway, back to the game.

[Chadruharazzeb]

Not too popular a series any more, eh?

Shame, as this is a damn fine addition. After the, for me, disappointing 3rd game, this one hits the ground running. It's interesting to see how the games have progressed from what was justifiably called "Resident Evil with swords", to this latest which borrows far more from Devil May Cry than RE.

Added to the mix now are more RPG elements, purchaseable moves/ specials, a relentless Dark Realm which can be visited in between missions (after a certain stage), and the new buddy system which is sometimes a godsend, sometimes a pain in the arse.

The combat isn't quite as refined as DMC - getting the fools to perform certain combos is more difficult than it should be (which is either the game or my pad which has developed a strange squeeking noise on the stick, and splits in the plastic), and it's awkward to activate the "devil trigger" by pressing both sticks in simultaneously.

Apart from that though, it's damn good fun. A departure from my previous favourite, Onimusha 2 , but a step in the right direction.

Can't imagie why more of you aren't playing it.

[eastyy]

Have not played this but did play onimusha 3 quite a bit i liked onimusha 3.But after playing devil may cry 3 i was disapointed in the combat

If they have made the combat for this better (or at the least on par with genji) then i probably would get this

[Chadruharazzeb]

Oni 4 is far superior to 3, IMO.

DMC3 has set a pretty high standard though, so this will probably be harshly judged in comparison. It's *not* as good as DMC3, but it's still a fine game in its own right.

[venom743]

The game's brilliant. Finished it a couple of days ago. Definetely my favourite in the series. For those of you who think the combat's shallow, try doing multiple issens from a non attacking/blocking position.

[eastyy]

Well i thought genji was a bit of a step up with smart juggles and counters

shame it was so short

venom got any vids?

[venom743]

Who says you can't juggle in this and perform combos with your partner? Seriously, play the game and see for yourself. This is much better than Genji.

[lettuce]

Whats this game called in JAPAN?

[Kungfu]

Onimusha 2 > 3, definitely looking forward to its March release in Europe.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5179/img200601261730511un.jpg

So is the above true? Bonus characters from the Street Fighter series for Onimusha 4?

[Chadruharazzeb]

@ Lettuce: it's called Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams

@ Kungfu: apparently it is right. God knows how or when it happens.

[Shoju]

Have not played this but did play onimusha 3 quite a bit i liked onimusha 3.But after playing devil may cry 3 i was disapointed in the combat

If they have made the combat for this better (or at the least on par with genji) then i probably would get this

Thats how I always felt about this series. DMC3 gives you such freedom, variety and style not to mention really combining melee and ranged weapons perfectly that everything else feels a bit inferior afterwards.

Id like to see them really push the RPG elements they put in at the beginning of Onimusha 2 (but then ditched early in the game) to make it about more than just combat. From what I've heard about this 4th game they've done just that and pushed the combat forward too so Im looking forward to getting what must be the best game in the series.

It sounds almost like an action RPG with much deeper combat than usual, just what Im looking for.

[Neo Zeed]

Who says you can't juggle in this and perform combos with your partner? Seriously, play the game and see for yourself. This is much better than Genji.

Better than Genji???? You serious Venom!!

Had better get it NOW!!!!

You say you finished it Venom,do you confront an incarnation of Hideyoshi Toyotomi for a Final Boss battle???8)

[venom743]

Whos said he's the last boss!?

[Combination]

Initially I found the battle system a bit simplistic but once you build up your skills and start deflecting and chaining criticals like there's no tomorrow, it's a whole different game