Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny

by Capcom

Product Features

• Set 10 years after the first Onimusha
• Highly detailed environments
• Tons of characters to make allies of

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000066TS3
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 14, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,054 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Consistent, fully realized game design elevates Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny into an elite category. Where other games are weak in one or more key areas, this game provides ample plot, character, action, and visual fodder in equal amounts. Unlike so many other titles--where preview and promotion photos feature quick cinematics and the rest of the game seems made in the early 1990s--Onimushadoesn't disappoint and stays consistently rich throughout.

Right away, players will notice the fine details this game offers. Any character you approach, even an inconspicuous mine worker, will stop to chat with you. But your comrades in arms won't accept just any offering in exchange for assisting you: in a nod to the Japanese tradition of thoughtful gift-giving, you must find and offer items that fit their interests. Don't go offering an antique brooch to someone looking for imported "spirits." Unless you have vodka or wine to offer him, he will get downright sullen.

As for the gore rating for Onimusha, it depends on your previous game-playing history. It will be considered mild by FPS fans, since the enemies and their flying body parts emit "only" a small amount of blood before disappearing in a puff of dust. For those same serious gamers, the controls will be a nuisance--for instance, you use the direction buttons instead of the left analog for running around. Another drawback: as with most highly controlled game environments, the forced perspective can cause columns and building sections to get in your way during crucial fight scenes. But those comfortable with these minor faults will be amply rewarded by movie-style quick scene edits, inventive ideas from the last edition (in particular, chests guarded by puzzles), and that addictive "fight, collect things, fight, upgrade to really cool things" dynamic that makes so many games great. --Jennifer Hauseman

Pros:

• Superior cinematic imagery
• Compelling characters
• Understated, clever dialogue
• Special attacks like ogre mode

Cons:

• Difficult controls
• Too little character info in the interface

Product Description

Yagyuu Juyuubei, a traveling swordsman, has returned to his hometown only to find it under siege. The aggressor is none other than Nobunaga Oda, the same undead warlord who plagued the first game's hero. Starting with only his sword and his surpreme combat skills, Yagyuu vows to defeat Nobunaga and free his homeland from terror.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Too much talking, May 29, 2002

By 

Harold T Hegge (Misawa Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny (Video Game)

Great game for people who would like to see Onimusha1 and Final Fantasy combined.

Improvements were definately intended on character interaction. The games story line is greatly based on how you trade special items with the other four characters in the game. I've finished the game twice but I've yet to unlock all of the side stories with the other characters. Personally I think this detracts from the game but my wife, who loves the long Final Fantasy stories, loved trying to figure out how to open all the side stories. Some of the side stories do add a lot to the game, I just didn't like spending so much time trying to unlock them all.(I usually hand the controller to my wife whenever the game switches from action to game plot ;-)

If you don't mind talking to all the characters in the game two or three times, then you'll probably love this game. The action and graphics are much better than the first Onimusha. There's also a couple new weapons that add significantly. (The War Hammer kicks @$$) Although the game is still too short, if you liked Onimusha 1 like I did then you'll probably love this game.
Disclaimer: I bought and played the Japanese version of Onimusha2 which may be different than the American release.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the buy, but suffers from bad sequel syndrome, September 10, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny (Video Game)

Onimusha 2 is without a doubt a thrilling game, which I greatly enjoyed.

But fans of the original game may suffer a little disappointment storywise, as this game suffers from "bad sequel syndrome", failing to match the original's epic feel, while providing a rather chaotic and foolish plot, and spoiling the game's environment with out of place futuristic anachronisms.

On the good side, graphics are improved substantially. They are one of the best that I've seen in a PS2 game. The FMV's are breathtaking and thrilling, although not numerous. The pre-rendered backgrounds are beautiful and captivating. Kudos for the sea, especially! Fighting is a blast, as in the first game or better. Unfortunately, the same Resident-Evil style control scheme remains, but it should not be a problem if you played the first Onimusha.

There are added gameplay elements, like interactivity with NPC's, and items that you can collect and trade. By doing this, you can befriend NPC's which can help you along the way, and change the events in the game a little bit. There are more side quests, and more goodies added after finishing the game, giving it a higher replay value than the original. While many people say this game is longer, I found it to be only marginally so; taking about 12 hours to beat the first time, with no cheating and plenty of wandering around.

I found this game to be moderately easier than the first one. Perhaps some of this is the added practice. Fortunately, this game lacks a frustratingly insane puzzle like the infamous water puzzle from the first game.

And most importantly, Jubei is just as cool as Samanosuke, which I thought it would be very hard to accomplish in the sequel. And if you are Onimusha I nostalgic, you will get a chance to re-visit some of the original game's locations.

Plotwise, there is little of a plot. You have a very simple objective, but what happens in between is a chaotic mess. It reminded me a lot of Devil May Cry; a thrill ride without much substance. The plot holes can make you wander aimlessly having no clue what to do next or what is going on. While the first game was no literary masterpiece either, at least it had more of a senseful and epic plot. And to make it worse, the game incorporates some futuristic elements that are out of place and ruin the Japanese medieval feel from the first game. At some point I felt that I was watching the movie "Flash Gordon".

But despite the shortcomings, this game is great and enjoyable. It is a sequel after all, and sequels are usually not as good as the original ones.

One last word of advice: remember to stay put through the credits after finishing the game!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, April 7, 2005

By 

Matthew Smith "oncedead" (Pelham, GA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny (Video Game)

Just two words that describe Onimusha 2, absolutely good. It's so much fun to play and I think this is easily one of my favorite new games to play. My favorite character in the whole game is of course Kotaro Fuma, that ninja boy that Jubei meets in Imasho. This is such a great video game, the scenery (in Imasho alone) is gorgeous!

The fighting is fun in this game. The backstories many characters have are great. I didn't really like the character interaction but I can see how some people might like it. Overall, this is a great game.