Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Released: March 2001 Genre: Action Platforms: PS2, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC
The PlayStation 2 had a whopping 26 games at its launch. While that number is amazing the vast majority were subpar games that would not have been given the time of day were they not accompanied by a new platform. And while the launch excitement was high there was definitely a feeling of what is next. Capcom’s Onimusha was one of the first of many high quality titles released after the launch rush and the beginning of the PS2’s legendary run. 2001 was an exceptional year for the PS2 and Onimusha is one of the reasons why.
Onimusha was born out of an idea to create a ninja version of Resident Evil. The protagonist would explore a mansion filled with traps, similar to Resident Evil but faster paced. While it was originally planned for the N64 it eventually moved over to the PlayStation before finally landing on the PS2. It was a wise choice as it allowed the game to have some of the highest production values on the system at the time. This was the beginning of a seminal series that many still wish would return today.
For its time Onimusha was a breathtaking title and one of the most expensive Capcom ever created. The extensive CG intro is incredible and is only the start of its lush production values. The pre-rendered backgrounds are beautiful with many subtle touches of animation to make them feel alive. I would go so far as to say these were the best until the Resident Evil Remake the following year. Character models are highly detailed with excellent motion captured animation. The visuals are accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack although the voice acting is questionable at times.
As Samanosuke you explore the demon’s fortress. The Resident Evil influence is heavy as you collect items and solve puzzles along the way. The puzzles are for the most part simple, often requiring items that you will find through normal progress. There is only one in particular that is nail biting which I won’t spoil. Although you can explore the castle freely they still gate progress by requiring your weapons to be a certain level to destroy demon gates. This could easily have turned the game into a grind fest. However through normal play you will be at the appropriate level when coming across these anyway.
While it wears its Resident Evil influence on its sleeve Onimusha is primarily an action game. It is here it differentiates itself the most. Capcom have made subtle changes to make the control scheme work in a fast action environment. Once you lock on to an enemy you can strafe, back dash, and sidestep attacks. The 180 ° turn from Resident Evil 3 also makes quick escapes possible as well. The standard triple hit combo can deal with most enemies but there are other attacks executed with button combinations. These attacks usually result in instant kills and also are a source of yellow souls, making them almost critical to learn. The game is perfectly playable without them however.
Early on Samanosuke gains a demon gauntlet that absorbs souls. These souls come in three colors; red for currency, yellow for health, and blue for magic. You will also gain three elemental swords in rapid succession. Each sword and its matching orb can be upgraded three times at which point it transforms and becomes stronger. The individual weapons differ in their attacks. Shippuu (Wind) is the weakest but has quick flashy attacks and a magic attack perfect for multiple enemies. Enryu (fire) is the strongest but slowest and in my opinion the most ideal. There are also long range weapons although use is infrequent. The story shifts between Samanosuke’s and his companion Kaede. Her attacks are faster and cooler although she cannot absorb souls. Most of the game’s puzzles lie in her parts of the campaign.
While Capcom have done a great job adapting its Resident Evil formula to an action format it isn’t without its flaws. The most prominent is its camera. The pre-rendered backgrounds are pretty but not the most ideal in tight corners. The game does its best to prevent enemies from obscuring your view but it happens frequently. Some rooms have multiple angles and it isn’t uncommon to take hits due to the view changing while avoiding an attack. As much as they have done to up the pace the animation can still be stiff and robotic at times. These flaws were also present in Resident Evil so it is disheartening to find them here. I guess it was too much to hope they would iron out these flaws.
If there is one area that Onimusha falls short it is its length. My first run clocked in at a little over four hours. There is nothing wrong with that per se as the adventure feels complete but it does leave you wanting more. The short length is probably due to the median difficulty. It is easy to max out the power of your weapons long before the game’s finale. While healing items are not plentiful yellow souls are fairly common. Even with my dislike of tank controls I had little difficulty beating each boss on my first try. For those that want more the optional twenty floor Dark Realm presents a suitable challenge and rewards you with the strongest weapon in the game. There is also an extra minigame but I would have preferred more from the campaign as it is so good.
In Closing
Onimusha: Warlords is an amazing game with high production values and a great setting. Familiar gameplay mixed with new ideas create something truly great. And with its re-release on the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One it is more accessible than ever.
