Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams

"Rise beyond Onimusha, rise beyond Onimusha 2, rise beyond even Onimusha 3."

Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
Written by: VenomZADZ

Ahem, Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams is a fourth installment to the Onimusha series. Onimusha series is a famous Action series. Onimusha takes place in the old times of Japan. This game takes place 15 years after Onimusha: Demon Siege (Onimusha 3)

We have a new hero in this game, YES BRAND NEW!
Soki, is our new main character of this game. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams provides you lots of interesting things including Storylines, Items, Mechanics and most of all the gameplay. You play as five characters in this game. That's quiet alot in an action game. Not to mention that all of that are fun and challenging to use.

In the menu trailer you get to see some scenes from the game in music video. The song is quiet good too. And, afterward when you click new game you get to watch the Opening Movie like in other Onimusha games. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams opening movie is not as good as Onimusha 3 but Capcom made up for that by having alot of CG scenes in the game. This game takes up almost all space of the two disc.

Time to start off with the rating of this game.

Storyline 8/10

Hmph. Storyline in this game is rather intersting but it still has some flaws. To be honest, I like the storyline and I love the plot twist to death. The storyline is great but it's quiet confusing if you haven't played any of the Onimusha games. I give it 8/10. If you're a big fan Onimusha this storyline will surely not disappoint you. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams has new beginning for the storlyline but still it has something related to the other games.

Gameplay 10/10

Gameplay is the most interesting feature in this game. As I've mentioned above that you can play as 5 characters in the game. You can take two characters in your party maximum. Only 2 characters at a time and Soki slot is lock, so you can only select one other character but you can switch the other member out and get another member instead at any save point in the game. You also can give commands for your non-controlling character by pressing the directional buttons. To switch your controlling character just simply press L2.

In this game you can do the famous Issen(Critical) of the Onimusha games. Issen is probably what makes an Onimusha game an Onimusha games. Issen timing in this game is easier than other Onimusha games so that makes me give the gameplay 10. There are more than 100 weapons in this game and some elementals. One of the best things in this game is that you're able to revisit any places in the game(please note that some place cannot be revisit at some points of the game) You can also use Oni Magics and Co-op moves in this game. I wonder why new Actions/RPGs have Co-op moves. You can also play this game in two player. The second controller will control the character that you have in the party with Soki.

In this game you can level up as you progress through your games and you can distribute your skill points to some skills. This game require some technique to be able to unleash some massive damage combos.

Graphics 9/10

9 for graphics? Yes, this game has one of the best graphics in PS2 action games. The CGs are well created and paced. Like, I've mentioned about there are alot of CGs which is a good thing. This game graphics have improved greatly from Onimusha 3. Most of the enemies in this game are from the previous games but they're redesigned and they look better and scarier XD. Not to mention that all weapons in this game have Unique appearance. Characters in this game are perfectly designed.

Overall 9/10

This game has good story, great graphics, perfect gameplay what do you expect more in this game? So why not just try it? Trust me you'll never be disappointed with this game. This is my favorite action games of all time since it's more into RPG systems. Get this game if you're into action or RPG games.

Rent or Buy?

Buy, you can spend up to 50+ hours in this games since there's new game plus. That's actually alot in an action game. Onimusha:Dawn of Dreams is the best of the series on my opinion.

I don't care whoever you are just get this game!!! GET IT!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/15/06