Genma Onimusha

"Resident Evil with swords!"

When I first heard the idea of a Resident Evil set back in the samurai days when you play as a daring warrior battling demons to save a princess, I cringed at the idea. I never really liked any RE games mainly 'cause those games were more intent on scaring the bejesus outta you rather than letting you enjoy the exciting gameplay. In RE you ran around with camera angles changing every 5 steps and trying to kill what's already dead with weak weapons. However, when my friend got Genma Onimusha for his XBox I'd thought I'd try it. And that changed my opinion pretty quick.

Graphics: 8/10
Graphics kinda disappointed me. Although the character models are extremely smooth and graphically detailed, they are set in a lousy 2D background. And everyone knows that 2D backgrounds and great 3D characters don't mix. The XBox does add some extra power to the graphics but the improvements on the backgrounds are almost nill. The other reason I gave graphics an 8 is really because I think XBox should've done better. You could get this kind of background on Dreamcast.

Gameplay: 8/10
Before I rate gameplay I should explain why I am comparing this game to Resident Evil. If you think about it Onimusha really is like a Resident Evil. You go around dark places and kill many monsters that ambush you. And of course I've hated that type of gameplay but Genma Onimusha improves upon the gameplay. The top reason is because in RE you really could do is shoot. But now you're equipped with a sword so you have a more flexible move list. Slash, stab, kick, hack, etc. You're also able to use magic weapons and use the forces of nature to unleash a crazy kick ass attack. And you can shoot if you want as well. You've got a bow and even an old school Japanese rifle.

Story: 9/10
For the one-billionth time in video game history you have to save a princess damsel in distress from evil monsters. I would've given the story a 1 but something changed my mind. The main thing changing my mind was the fact that this game is based on real events. A warlord named Yoshimoto tries to unite Japan and name himself king. However, another daimyo named Nobunaga Oda ambushes his troops and kills his army. While in celebration, an arrow hits Oda in the throat and he dies. So Oda makes a pact with the Demons so he can take revenge upon Japan and he kidnaps a princess named Yuki so he can sacrifice her and your character, Samanosuke, goes to save her. A twist on an original.

Sound: 9/10
Sound is great. There are crisp and clear low growls or the gargantuan roars of your adversaries, the scraping of blades on the ground, and the crashing when swords collide or slam into the ground. (What can I say that's all I got, I never have much to say on sound)

Overall, Genma Onimusha's pretty much a rent. You'll enjoy this while you have it and for a while it'll be a very great thrill and twist for all of you who like to dismember monsters and not regret it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/10/02, Updated 02/10/02