Onimusha Tactics

"A decent Strategy/RPG title."

Onimusha Tactics is a turn-based Tactics game based off of Capcom's Onimusha series.

GAMEPLAY - (6/10):

While some may compare the game to the recent ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'', or last years' ''Tactics Ogre: the Knight of Lodis'', I'd have to say that this game reminds me more of the old ''Shining Force'' series than either of those titles. While it does indeed share a graphical look similar to that of the recent Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, it plays somewhat differently.

Unlike the previously mentioned titles, you won't find changable character classes or a high level of customization for your characters here. Instead we have a somewhat unique equipment system where, upon defeating your Genma demon enemies, you recieve certain types of gems, some souls power, and sometimes item recipes. There are 9 types of gems in total. Using the ''Oni Gauntlet'' that Onimaru (the main character) possesses, you combine these gems to create new equipment and items with known recipes. You can ''level up'' these created items using Souls collected from opponents. Now, it's not exactly 'cheap' to max out an item's level, but it does give some bonuses in the forms of new special attacks, higher defense/attack and so on.

Not every character can equip every kind of Weapon or Armor, and there are different weapon class types in the game that each character starts with and permenantly plays as (which is why this game reminds me more of Shining Force than the other 2 similar-looking GBA strategy titles). You're allowed to deploy up to 8 units, usually, and each weapon class type serves a different purpose. Swordsmen for example are your mediocre fighter types that can only attack adjacant to themselves with their weapon, and will usually come with a variety of special moves ranging from damage, to stat ups/downs, to even healing depending on the character. Archers and gunners, however, are ranged attackers whos special moves are almost always range related. It's best to try out different combinations of character types if you're having trouble with some of the tougher missions, since the game does have some difficult parts, although none of your characters can never permanently die (although Onimaru or other characters during certain missions will give you Game Over if they die). The weapon classes that I've seen so far in my played time are Swordsmen, Archers, Gunners, Ninjas (equips knives, ninja swords and shurikens -- a versatile character type), Pikemen, and Axe wielders.

The combat is standard fare for a game of this genre, with a few additions you may find interesting. Each character during your turn can move, attack or use a special skill, use an item and sometimes use a special move called ''Issen''.
Issen is a dodge/counter-attack move that randomly becomes available to a character. If any enemy attacks a character using Issen and is within range of that character, they will most likely die as a result. Unlike FFTA and TO:KoL, there aren't any special hit modifiers for attacking to the side or the back of an enemy. While it does detract from tactical fighting, a bit, it's not all that bad.

The game itself is quite linear with no ability to freely move about the ''world map''. Each fight (except in special circumstances) counts as a ''Chapter''. This is another point that again, reminds me of Shining Force in more ways than the other games I mentioned. You can use the ''Withdraw'' command to go back to the Save/Load and begin chapter screen at any time during your turn in a fight if you wish to build levels, if you're finding yourself underlevelled. Overall, the gameplay is solid and makes it better than many other GBA games out there right now. It's nothing spectacular, but it's alright.

Finally, as a nice bonus, you can set the character movement speeds to fast to speed up gameplay significantly. A feature I wished was in other Tactics games for the GBA.

STORY - (8/10):

The game is set in an altered timeline of fuedal Japan. The infamous Oda Nobunaga has risen as the demon lord of the Genma demons (your enemies) and has started to march his forces all over Japan with a sinister scheme in mind.

You play as Onimaru, a young descent of the Oni clan who were long ago defeated by the Genma. One day when Onimaru is headed back to his village in the province of Iga, Nobunaga's forces attack. Don't quote me here, as I'm no Japanese history buff, but I believe that Iga were the one who, in real history, helped defeat the real Nobunaga.

On his way back home, Onimaru is attacked by three lowly Genma soldiers. Onimaru's Master luckily shows up and guides Onimaru to victory in this small battle. We meet Onimaru's sister, Oboro, shortly after, and their master tells them of their heritage; that they are descended from the Oni clan. It was the Oni clan which, in the past had held back the Genma clan.

The Master gives Onimaru an ancient relic of his people, the Oni Gauntlet, and informs him that he is the only hope for Japan as descendant of the Oni clan.

The story takes off from there, and while some characters like Onimaru's sister Oboro, and the Kabukiman swordsman, Kabuki are not very serious at times; the story is still fairly solid and involving.

GRAPHICS/SOUND - (8/10):

The graphics in the game are quite well done. Especially the character portraits, which have several different pieces of art depending on their mood at the time (this is used during conversations). The spell effects are much like those seen in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, which is to say good enough. The sprites all well done and animated well enough for a game of this genre.

The sound, from the music to the sword hits is also well done. You can't expect much from the GBA in sound, but what you do get is a good example of sound done right on the GBA. The tunes in the game are well done, rarely repetitive and never caused me to turn the music off.

This section is definitely one of the strong points of the game. I liked the graphics and sound here better than the
other two similar mentioned games.

PLAY TIME/REPLAYABILITY - (5/10):

Being linear, I can't see too much replayability. The combat is fun enough, and sometimes challenging, so you MAY give the game a second playthrough if you really like it. I rarely do in this genre because the games take quite some time to get through and there's little extra incentive to replay them. It's probably less appealing to replay this game due to less customization for your characters, though.

The average playtime is probably somewhere around 30-40 hours depending on how much levelling up and maxing of things you do. There are supposedly over 40 ''Chapters'' in total.

FINAL RECOMMENDATION:

Buy or rent? It's your choice. If you're a hardcore fan of the Strategy/RPG genre, then go for it. It's a good game in that respect and you may or may not be disappointed. It's worth at least one playthrough to any fan of the genre.

If you're starving for a game in this genre, then this is probably a good choice. I prefer it over the recent Fire Emblem for GBA, personally. For Capcom's first go at a Strategy/RPG (that I know of), I don't think they did too badly.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/16/03