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Capcom |
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Capcom |
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| Game Type |
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Action RPG |
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| System |
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Playstation 2 |
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| Release Date |
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Japan - 03.07.02
USA - 08.27.02 |
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Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny
Review by: Artavan Mkhikian (10.17.03)
<< PREVIOUS - Intro // Sound & Presentation
Innovation:
Unfortunately, this game falls victim to the traditional problem faced by
all Capcom sequels - the original installment is so solid and fleshed out
that there's relatively little room to improve, short of creating a whole
new game from the ground up. For much of the combat taking place, it
feels as though you are playing on an upgraded version of the Onimusha
Warlords game engine. Many of the character attacks, maneuvers, game
engine properties, and even enemy patterns seem to have been ported directly
from Onimusha Warlords with barely noticeable adjustments. It is a very
capable and polished system, but there isn't much here that's new.
To Capcom's credit, the rehashing of an old combat system does not hinder
Onimusha 2 from coming across as a completely new game separate from its
predecessor. Nearly the entire cast of Onimusha 2 is original, from the
hero of the game to the friendly supporting characters to the major
opponents. The only returning faces are the warlord Nobunaga Oda and
his first general. Furthermore, Onimusha 2 spans several new towns and
locations that Jubei must travel through on his quest for vengeance. In
comparison, Onimusha Warlords took place within the walls of a single
castle, which is actually one of the stages in Samurai's Destiny.
Another important feature is the implementation of several scenario
routes through the main storyline of the game. The decisions made early on
regarding the supporting characters actually decides which side quests and
levels Jubei must complete to reach the end of his adventure. This
non-linear approach to storyline structure goes a long way towards making
the minor choices made throughout the game seem genuinely important. It
shows that although Capcom did not pave new ground in every aspect of the
game, they did make a genuine effort to set this game apart from its
predecessors.
Innovation Score: 6 / 10
Gameplay:
Capcom manages to improve on the excellent control of Onimusha Warlords by
adding several new movement and attack options, refining the last-second
counter attack timing, and making the sidestep faster. The controls are
amazingly responsive, making combat intuitive and rewarding. Camera
placement and angles in Onimusha 2 are handled much more carefully than in
its predecessor, with very few awkward views popping up during combat.
However, the unusual lack of analog controls is an inconvenience which will
undoubtedly annoy some gamers.
The game's RPG elements are well thought-out and varied. There are nine
weapons and three armors available to Jubei, most of which can be upgraded
using souls absorbed from vanquished enemies. Each of the weapons caters to
a different play style, allowing the player to upgrade the main weapon
corresponding best to their combat preferences. Whether you enjoy using
close range quick attacks, moderately damaging long range attacks, or
extremely powerful slow attacks, Onimusha 2 has got you covered. Inventory
items and gift items are scattered all throughout the game and play a
crucial role in character development.
Much of the interaction between Jubei and the supporting cast is handled
through the gift exchange system. Jubei can trade gift items with one of
his four allies and receive an inventory item or another gift item in
return depending on how well the gift is matched with the personality of
his trading partner. Friendship between Jubei and certain supporting
characters is strengthened and weakened in this way. The gift system does
an excellent job of randomizing the item draw in a way that gives plenty
to look for without hindering game progress for those players not
interested in item hunting. This limited control over item selection and
teammate selection goes a long way towards making the game characters
feel customizable.
Gameplay Score: 9 / 10
NEXT >> Extras, Lifespan, & Summary
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