I'm what you would call an experienced gamer. I play all types, all genres. However, I don't necessarily like all the genres. Case in point, the "Survival Horror" genre. The example that stands out furthest in this case is Capcom's "Resident Evil" (aka "Biohazard") series. Let's get one thing straight: I hate those games. They're fun as far as the atmosphere and environment, but with all the puzzles, backtracking, lack of available ammunition to kill whatever wants to kill you, major control issues...it just gets downright annoying. Too annoying to play them, and that takes a lot for me. Why do I just go off on this spree of insults? Because it's a game in this certain genre that I just happened to fall in love with.
I had the chance to play "Onimusha: Warlords" before it ever officially came out in the States (thanks to my game store buddies). Now, I was very, very, very skeptical at first.
No, I don't think you quite get it: I was very, very, very skeptical.
Now, the first thing it had going for it was the fact that it involved samurais. I'm a Japanese history buff, so of course that got on my good side. The next thing was the beautiful graphics, and then the sound, and then the incredible scale of the weapons (NICE!). Then I got to noticing the play control...and to my surprise, I didn't mind it. Whoa...I actually didn't mind the static, aggravating controls that plagued the "RE" series. I'm thinking that the reason behind my change of heart is that it's not a "Survival Horror" game. Actually, in all its glory, it's just a "Survival" game. No stupid typewriter ribbons to pick up in order to save (limited saves...are you people nuts?), instead, you've got a "magic mirror" to save and enhance your equipment.
"Enhance your equipment? What do you mean?" Ah, let me tell you, then. This isn't really a spoiler, since the instruction book tells you all of this, but I'm going to warn you anyway (in fear of IMDB killing all of my reviews :o) ). The first thing Samanouske Akechi (your character) starts with is a simple sword. With this sword, he cannot hope to defeat the demons that have kidnapped the princess of the clan he serves. So a clan of Ogres that have been done wrong by the demons decide to give him a helping hand in getting the princess back by giving him a gauntlet. Now, this is no ordinary gauntlet, this is a gauntlet that absorbs the demons' souls so that you can use them to enhance the equipment you receive via special orbs. You get three orbs throughout the game, Thunder, Fire, and Wind. Each of them gives you a different style of sword, and as you level them up from the souls you absorb, they get more powerful and get to looking SCHWEET. It's nice, trust me.
But getting back to the control issue, it's not that much of a problem here. That's because it's a hack-and-slash game with an overused premise, and an overused control scheme. But for some odd reason, it fits. And it works.
I bought the game, beat it a few times, and got some special treats (play it, you'll find out). It's a solid buy, and you won't be disappointed. It just goes to show that no matter how many stupid games Capcom has come out with ("RE", the "Street Fighter EX" series), they always seem to turn lead into gold when you least expect it ("Capcom vs. SNK", the "Megaman" series, and now, "Onimusha: Warlords"). Do yourself and you wallet a favor, and rent it first. Don't go buying it just 'cause I said so...unless, of course, it's a "Metal Gear" game. Then you have to, I think that it's an actual law now. :o)
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