In 2002, I used to be blown away by the graphics of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Future on the PlayStation 2, extra particularly, how attractive its water visuals appeared with its reflections and reasonable ripples.
On high of that, it was a implausible recreation to play and improved on its 2001 predecessor, Onimusha: Warlords, in virtually each method. The fight had advanced due to its assorted arsenal of weapons, which in flip granted the participant extra choices on how they may method a specific fight state of affairs.
Its world was engaging, which inspired exploration for secrets and techniques. Positive, it was a really linear recreation and nonetheless is in the present day, however between its villages populated with NPCs to work together with, eerie forests that gave you a sense of being watched, and derelict castles that offered hints of brutal battles that had taken place a few years earlier than, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Future was soaked with ambiance. This remaster takes every part that made the 2002 model so satisfying and deploys refined tweaks to make that have slightly bit sweeter.
Try the Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Future trailer beneath!
Onimusha 2 doesn’t comply with the primary recreation, Onimusha: Warlords. It’s a separate story, so in that respect, it does not matter which of the 2 you start with. Although I ought to add that each video games are implausible, and I like to recommend the remaster of the unique recreation launched in 2019.
Onimusha 2 is ready in Medieval Japan, round 1560, and its antagonist is the ruthless historic daimyō, Lord Nobunaga. Oh, and Lord Nobunaga additionally instructions a demon military (often called Genma in-game). You play as Jubei Yagyum who’s on a quest for revenge towards Lord Nobunaga for killing his household and mates in his house village.
So, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of what Onimusha 2 seems and performs like by in the present day’s requirements. Properly, that each one relies on your perspective. In case you like trendy hack-and-slash video games with superior graphics and gameplay, and also you don’t care a lot about taking part in retro video games of yesteryear, this remaster may not be for you. This remaster is about as pure because it will get, whereas making the mandatory enhancements for it to be extra welcoming to a contemporary viewers.
The fight is simply as fundamental because it was in 2002. The assault controls are restricted, and there’s not an ideal deal to be taught apart from a well-timed parry and dodge. It’s what made the sport so accessible again then and continues to work effectively now, in the present day. If Capcom had added new fight options, the sport would lose a few of its id, and if that had been the case, they may as effectively simply think about the upcoming Onimusha: Manner of the Sword.
Capcom
That being mentioned, in contrast to some conventional hack-and-slash video games, Onimusha 2 encourages the participant to not spam assaults. Simply as an enemy is about to assault, it’s possible you’ll discover a shiny flash. That is when a well-timed assault can kill some enemies immediately, and if there’s a bunch of enemies, assaults will be chained. It’s sort of like a proactive assault model of a defensive parry.
You may also improve Jubei’s weapons and armour with the souls you’ll accumulate from defeating enemies. The levelling up course of feels simply as grindy because it did in 2002 by way of how lengthy it takes to have sufficient souls to completely improve the armour piece or weapon of your selecting. I by no means had a difficulty with this grind again then, and I nonetheless don’t in the present day, as a result of with Onimusha 2 taking about 5 to 6 hours to complete in your first run, it’s a recreation you could replay a number of instances and proceed the upgrades in its New Sport Plus.
The most effective options that units Onimusha 2 aside from the unique recreation is the 4 companions that can, occasionally, battle alongside you, specifically, Oyu (a blade warrior), Ekei Ankokuji (a monk), Kotarō Fuma (a ninja), and Magoichi Saiga (a marksman).
The frequency of how usually the companions will support you in battle will depend upon how usually you deal with them with items, gadgets discovered hidden within the recreation. In case you bathe them with sufficient items, they’ll aid you out extra usually, and a few sections of the sport could have you are taking management of them. You even uncover backstory in your companions with branching storylines and will probably be handled to particular cut-scenes, a few of which will not be seen on a specific playthrough, which provides one other factor of replayability.
Capcom
By way of the enhancements made to this new model of Onimusha 2, whereas the visuals stay trustworthy, all property within the recreation, together with the pre-rendered backgrounds, the consumer interface, cutscenes and extra, have benefited from a HD shine. You may also change between the unique 4:3 side ratio and the brand new 16:9. A brand new auto-save has been added too, and is useful once you die after forgetting to make a handbook save.
Numerous high quality of life enhancements are current, most notably with the choices of conventional tank controls for purists – splendid for followers of the unique Resident Evil collection – or an up to date management scheme utilizing the analogue stick. The tank controls are extra restrictive as a result of it requires the D-Pad to maneuver the characters, so your motion will really feel extra sluggish.
Compared, utilizing the analogue stick is way more responsive, particularly with its prompt dash. Simply be warned, when utilizing the analogue follow enter a brand new space, simply attempt to maintain the identical route pressed initially, since you’ll be far and wide. It’s onerous to elucidate, however you’ll discover out quickly sufficient. That being mentioned, as a lot as I really like the old-school tank controls, my desire is the analogue stick.
There’s an improved weapon change function, which not breaks immersion by having to pause the sport to pick a brand new weapon. Simple issue is on the market from the beginning, relatively than having to unlock it. Talking of issue modes, this model has the brand new ‘Hell’ issue, which suggests you’ll die with a single hit and well being restoration gadgets are ineffective, so to say that is an excessive issue can be an understatement.
Capcom
What’s extra, the additional modes (The Man in Black, Crew Oni, and Puzzle Phantom Realm), are additionally unlocked from the get-go. There’s additionally a brand new gallery mode with over 100 items of unique developer art work enhanced in HD, plus a 43-song soundtrack of the sport.
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Future is a pleasant time capsule that harkens again to a a lot easier time when linear video games nonetheless had a magical feeling of worlds feeling a lot greater than they had been. It’s an absolute pleasure to revisit for retro purists who admire a couple of modernised tweaks. So what are you ready for? Go play it already.
Professionals: Remastered HD visuals look good, simple to choose up and play, very trustworthy to the unique
Cons: It is likely to be too trustworthy for non-retro followers
For followers of: Onimusha: Warlords, Resident Evil, Satan Could Cry
7/10: Very Good
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Future is out now on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Swap. Learn a information to our assessment scores right here.
