With Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny on the horizon, let me set the expectations for you, dear reader. Originally for the PS2, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny continues the story from Warlords, albeit from a different protagonist’s point of view, this time of the famed swordsman Yagyu Jubei.
Thanks to Capcom Singapore, I was able to get my hands on the game’s first few hours.
The game plays the same as the original Onimusha, with fixed camera angles and upgradeable melee weapons of varying elements, plus some ranged weapons to ease things up when times get tough. You can switch between analog and tank controls on the fly, depending on which one you are comfortable with (I’m partial to the tank controls myself, was much more used to those), and combat is easy to learn on the fly.
Aside from being able to switch analog and tank controls on the fly, Hell mode is something to take note of. You can instantly die with just one hit, and that means if you’ve already mastered the combat of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, you should be able to survive Hell mode. I tried it and I have to say, it’s one of the best exciting ways to play Onimusha. It gives that thrill and excitement when you’re facing the enemy.
The updated visuals still retained the feel and charm of the original PS2 release. There’s a certain beauty that doesn’t feel dated despite being considered retro, standing the test of time as a lovely example of in-game art and character models.
It’s an amazing remaster of an old classic. While the game is still a few weeks from launch, I’m already sold. I suggest you put it in your game library upon release for the sheer fun of playing a challenging game that, to me, still stands the test of time, just like the giant Buddha in Todai-ji. I can’t wait to play the rest of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny and give my overall thoughts in my review soon.
