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The close of a trilogy is a touchy thing. Miramax's slasher pic Scream 3 highlighted the role of each part: Chapter one sets the rules. Chapter two bends the rules. And chapter three throws them all out the window in favor of taking the story full circle.
Which brings us to the third part of the Onimusha trilogy, subtly titled Demon Siege. In the first of many switches from the franchise's usual MO, there are three playable characters – Jean Reno's Jaques, the first Onimusha's Samanosuke, and Parisian military woman Michelle. Each offers wildly different play mechanics, and this coupled with the game's time warp storyline (more on that later) offers needed variety to a survival horror franchise that was never really know for its fear factor.
Each character will upgrade their weapons and skills through the course of the game (much less so for Michelle, as she's playable for far less of the game than the other two) in the usual fashion – collecting souls. Without a combo-laden combat system, Demon Siege relies heavily on timing and strategy to master each of the three warriors. This mechanic is very reminiscent of Enter the Matrix for two reasons: minimal button presses result in onscreen action that looks very, very cool. Two, the timing of action is far more crucial than combos. The difference is that Demon Siege is just a much better game – the enemies offer more variety, the control is more precise, and the elemental weaponry is extremely varied.
While some action hardcores will likely fault the game for its simple control scheme, most will appreciate it for the satisfaction it brings to the screen. Kicking a demon away so you have better range with the Ball and Chain of Doom (my name for it, not the game's) is quite cool, after all. Just keep in mind that plot and combat play equal roles in the Onimusha universe, and each are doled out fairly.
On the story side of things, Demon Siege has that dual time period hook. How well is the idea executed? Well, Paris really looks like Paris; and without being able to experience feudal Japan firsthand, all I can say is that it looks beautiful in the game. The plot unfolds at a lightning pace and requires players to use one character (in one time period) to do something, which has an effect on the other character (in the other time period). Switching frequently, the game's pace is so well crafted that there are few places that seem to be a pause – you'll always want to do that next thing.
What I really like about this game is that I always felt like I was getting a new weapon, going to a new area, or fighting a new boss (most of which are ferociously tough, by the way). There was no drag for me. That, and kicking Genma butt made me look badass. Personally, I wouldn't want anything else for my favorite samurai/horror sendoff.
Concept:
Craft a compelling, edge-of-your seat action game to conclude the Onimusha series
Graphics:
3D backgrounds don't mean that players have camera control, but it does mean that everything looks really grea
Sound:
The score alternates between totally inspired and super cheesy – but it does fit the game
Playability:
Timing is the key to success and I rarely felt robbed, so it did what it was supposed to
Entertainment:
Demon Siege is one of the most cinematic games to date, and I soaked up every second gratefully
Replay:
High
Rated: 9 out of 10
Editor: Lisa Mason
Issue: June 2004
2nd Opinion:
The final chapter of the Onimusha trilogy radiates excitement and is the very definition of epic. The opening CG cinematic is so detailed and explosive that I wouldn't be surprised if George Lucas started handing out pink slips to the ILM crew. I know this clip is only a few minutes in length, but it is worth the price of admission alone. Further justifying that you absolutely need to add this title to your library, the gameplay is equally exquisite and is brimming with non-stop intensity. The methods with which you dispose of your assailants remain simplistic and true to the series. Plus, the battles are much larger in scope, the pacing of levels is relentless, and the visuals that you breathe in are all the more majestic. This truly is game development at its finest. While I would have liked to see more interaction in the environments, and depth in the combat, I really couldn't ask for a better conclusion to one of the PlayStation 2's finest series.
Rated: 9.25 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This game....BEATS THEM ALL!! (ignore what other people say),
= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Onimusha 3: Demon Siege (Video Game)
This games story is about a Japanese soldier names Samanouske, has a war against the genma (like monsters) and their leader, Nobunaga. Nobunaga was revived as a demon. I just beat Onimusha 3 today and i loved the ending. Jacques Blanc, a French military guy, accidently goes back in time to Samanouske's time (1582) and Samanouske goes to Jacques time (2004). Play the game to find out the rest.
Educational: This is actually educational because u can learn Freanch and u learn english as well. Play and everything else: One word. EXCELLENT!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Onimusha Rules!!!!,
By
This review is from: Onimusha 3: Demon Siege (Video Game)
What a superb game..... This is the 2nd Oni series I played after having finished Onimusha 2.. And I quickly bought Onimusha 1 Warlords... Oni 3 is by far best game and I really enjoyed it so much. The fireflies in the game that let jacques reach from places to places.. Time travel with Ako being the little guardian angel from the ancient Fuedal Japan time to the modern Paris 2004 is just so exciting and so much fun to play... Sucking souls from live gemna with Ako's green vest... White vest to restore health... and so much more goodies in the game...Simply fantastic!!! Will play again and again...If the rumours are true...Hope to catch ONIMUSHA on the big SCREEN....It must be transform into a blockbuster movie!!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best in the series. (don't worry, it's not the last one),
By
= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Onimusha 3: Demon Siege (Video Game)
Onimusha 3:Demon Siege is the best in the series. Two different stories, two different characters, all going on at the same time in the past and present day. Character Samanouske Akechi(from first Onimusha(:Warlords) raids a temple with his uncle and soldiers to confront the evil Genma(demon clan)lord Nobunaga. Samanouske unwillingly gets transported to the Genma raided present day France during the confrontation. On the other hand, new character Jaques Blanc, a French commando, gets transported to Japan in the past 500 years where he meets a fiary Ako.Ako helps Jaques in past and helps Samanouske in present day France.Another character is Michelle,a French female commando who is Jaques fiancee and she gets to be played with automatic guns in some situations.Five frequent nonplayable characters are Jaques 10 year old son Henri,16 year old villian Ranmuru,villian archer Heitchi Honda,annoying demon scientist Guildenstern and the well known evil Nobunaga.Alot of people are saying this is the last one in the series.They will be another Onimusha but will have different characters and may or may not having some of the previous characters.Onimusha 3:Demon Siege is the best in the series by having improved graphics,improved controls,getting back the suspense from the original and longer than first two Onimushas.Onimusha 2:Samurai's Destiny was good to the series but it lost suspense,not having improved controls,same graphics from first but lighter,weapons were weaker and boss fights were more difficult.Onimusha:Warlords is the best but lost to 3 for being too short,graphics not as good and difficult controls.
Onimusha 3:Demon Siege Pros: -Samanouske Akechi from original Onimusha returns -Hate the demon scientist Guildenstern from original Onimusha?Well he returns in this one and he is more annoying but he won't be anymore. -Improved controls.Original controls were Resident Evil style with the digital pad.New controls are Devil May Cry style with the analog and the original controls are still available. -Gets the suspense again.The suspense is what makes it good. -Improved all 3-D graphics.First two had 3-D and 2-D. -Original swords and new swords/whips/axes. -Longer than first two. -Don't have to equip to bow from menu.Samanouske automatically holds it and all you have to do is hold R1 and push X to shoot a arrow. -More arrows. -Automatic guns. Cons: -No more Japanese acting option in the option menu. -Backtracking is present and gets annoying. -Boss battles get difficult. -Having Nobunaga as enemy is getting old. -No ancient guns and don't really get to use them that much. Onimusha 2:Samurai's Destiny Pros: -Nobunaga being the Arch Nemesis is cool. -The annoying Tokichiro from original Onimusha has his last laugh in this. -Go to some of the levels that were in the original Onimusha. -More guns. -More orb weapons. -More help from friends. Cons: -Weapons aren't too powerful. -Boss fights can really anger players. -Same difficult controls. -Not much suspense. -Numerous boss fights on certain bosses. -Graphics didn't improve much. -Gets boring. Onimusha:Warlords Pros: -Lots of Action. -Lots of Weapons. -Lots of Suspense Cons: -Too Short -Annoying Puzzles Onimusha 3:Demon Siege and Onimusha:Warlords are the best in the series but Onimusha 3 is just slightly better.Onimusha 3 is a must have for Onimusha fans and fans of demon slayers. M rating and kiddies? It is not bad for kids but the cutscene in the beginning is very intense so keep the kids away from that.There is a option that limits violence and blood during gameplay(but not all cutscenes)High violence option increases blood and low violence decreases blood.There is also red,green or no blood option.Some sites say this game has descriptors blood and gore,intense violence,strong language,strong sexual content and use of drugs.Blood and gore,intense violence yeah,the other stuff no.I beat the game and they only say damn,there is no sex or stimulating behavior,only very partial nonstimulating nudity and absoluty no drugs.So I say 10+ and supervise younger. 2115|R216XTVTY6IT42;2115|R184B2I6O4KKX1;2115|R2D8CVK2OJDM97;
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