Onimusha

I've played through every installment in Capcom's samurai-flavored tales of swords and sorcery, and I have to admit that I was leery of taking a fourth trip to the well after the developers had sworn the series would end as a trilogy. Oddly enough, my fears were misplaced since Dawn of Dreams turned out to be the best of the lot, at least in terms of craftsmanship.

The final chapter in Capcom's samurai & demons series, Onimusha 3: Demon Siege couldn't have been a better conclusion. Packed with everything from tender family moments to huge action-packed set pieces, the game delivers.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Intense Violence, Blood

Game Description: Onimusha 3: Demon Siege takes the fantastic gaming of the Onimusha series to a new level. It's got dramatic new camera angles, advanced 3D polygonal graphics, new enemies and an incredible new story. Take control of Akechi Samanosuke one more time, as he's sent through time to modern-day France. He trades places with 21st-century French cop Jacques Blanc, who travels to feudal Japan. Fighting separately and together, they'll stop the Genma once and for all.

I ended up enjoying Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny a great deal more than I thought possible. The beginning is close to what I think an ideal action game should feel like in terms of structure, and it doesn't hurt that the graphics and art design are still downright amazing in some parts.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Violence, Blood and Gore

Game Description: Horrid creatures continue to massacre local villages, and it seems nothing can stop them. One young samurai, Jubei Yagyu, has vowed to stop the spread of evil before it’s too late. Play as Yagyu as you master the Yagyu Shinkage style of fighting. You’ll have the option of choosing a partner to accompany you or going it alone, and either decision will yield original storylines taking you through dark forests, old towns, and even gold mines. There are plenty of cutscenes and awesome voice acting to keep the 3D adventure realistic.

I usually like to spend the first portion of a review talking about interesting concepts or ideas present in the game I am about to review. Sometimes it takes a more personal slant, other times it might be historical or relate to current trends in the game world and society at large. After playing Onimusha, I was at a loss.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Blood and Gore, Violence

While I don't entirely agree with Brad's review of Onimusha, Im not exactly going to dispute much of it either. His points are for the most part valid. I just wasnt as annoyed or bored by Onimusha as he was (or at least not as quickly as he was).