- Features true 3D gameplay and environments, for gaming action you'll have to see to believe.
- Learn new skills as you find books on each level -- unlock new moves to wipe out the demons.
Product Description
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Two warriors, one from ancient Japan, the other from modern day
France, unite in a battle spanning time and the globe. Join
Samanosuke Akechi and Jacques Braun in furious hack-and-slash
combat against hordes of demons seeking to destroy the earth!
Review
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The close of a trilogy is a touchy thing. Miramax's slasher pic
Scream 3 highlighted the role of each part: Chapter one sets the
rules. Chapter two bends the rules. And chapter three throws them
all out the window in favor of taking the story full circle.
Which brings us to the third part of the Onimusha trilogy, subtly
titled Demon Siege. In the first of many switches from the
franchise's usual MO, there are three playable characters – Jean
Reno's Jaques, the first Onimusha's Samanosuke, and Parisian
woman Michelle. Each offers wildly different play
mechanics, and this coupled with the game's time warp storyline
(more on that later) offers needed variety to a survival horror
franchise that was never really know for its fear factor.
Each character will upgrade their weapons and skills through the
course of the game (much less so for Michelle, as she's playable
for far less of the game than the other two) in the usual fashion
– collecting souls. Without a combo-laden combat system, Demon
Siege relies heavily on timing and strategy to master each of the
three warriors. This mechanic is very reminiscent of Enter the
Matrix for two reasons: minimal button presses result in onscreen
action that looks very, very cool. Two, the timing of action is
far more crucial than combos. The difference is that Demon Siege
is just a much better game – the enemies offer more variety, the
control is more precise, and the elemental weaponry is extremely
varied.
While some action hardcores will likely fault the game for its
simple control scheme, most will appreciate it for the
satisfaction it brings to the screen. Kicking a demon away so you
have better range with the Ball and Chain of Doom (my name for
it, not the game's) is quite cool, after all. Just keep in mind
that plot and combat play equal roles in the Onimusha universe,
and each are doled out fairly.
On the story side of things, Demon Siege has that dual time
period hook. How well is the idea executed? Well, Paris really
looks like Paris; and without being able to experience feudal
Japan firsthand, all I can say is that it looks beautiful in the
game. The plot unfolds at a lightning pace and requires players
to use one character (in one time period) to do something, which
has an effect on the other character (in the other time period).
Sw frequently, the game's pace is so well crafted that
there are few places that seem to be a pause – you'll always want
to do that next thing.
What I really like about this game is that I always felt like I
was getting a new weapon, going to a new area, or fighting a new
boss (most of which are ferociously tough, by the way). There was
no drag for me. That, and kicking Genma butt made me look badass.
Personally, I wouldn't want anything else for my favorite
samurai/horror sendoff.
Concept:
Craft a compelling, edge-of-your seat action game to conclude the
Onimusha series
Graphics:
3D backgrounds don't mean that players have camera control, but
it does mean that everything looks really grea
Sound:
The score alternates between totally inspired and super cheesy –
but it does fit the game
Playability:
Timing is the key to success and I rarely felt robbed, so it did
what it was supposed to
Entertainment:
Demon Siege is one of the most cinematic games to date, and I
soaked up every second gratefully
Replay:
High
Rated: 9 out of 10
Editor: Lisa Mason
Issue: June 2004
2nd Opinion:
The final chapter of the Onimusha trilogy radiates excitement
and is the very definition of epic. The opening CG cinematic is
so detailed and explosive that I wouldn't be surprised if George
Lucas started handing out pink slips to the ILM crew. I know this
clip is only a few minutes in length, but it is worth the price
of admission alone. Further justifying that you absolutely need
to add this title to your library, the gameplay is equally
exquisite and is brimming with non-stop intensity. The methods
with which you dispose of your assailants remain simplistic and
true to the series. Plus, the battles are much larger in ,
the pacing of levels is relentless, and the visuals that you
breathe in are all the more majestic. This truly is game
development at its finest. While I would have liked to see more
interaction in the environments, and depth in the combat, I
really couldn't ask for a better conclusion to one of the
PlayStation 2's finest series.
Rated: 9.25 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
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