Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny

Developer(s)	Capcom
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Series	Onimusha series
Release date(s)	^JPN March 7, 2002 ^NA August 27, 2002 ^EUR October 4, 2002
Genre(s)	Action
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: M (Mature) USK: 16+ ELSPA: 15+ OFLC: MA15+
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Media	1 DVD
Input	DualShock 2

Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is the second installment in the Onimusha series. The iteration presents a new protagonist: Yagyū Jubei (柳生十兵衛). The character is not the swordsman Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi, but instead his grandfather, Yagyū Muneyoshi, the originator of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū school of swordsmanship. However, the game diverges from history also in that Nobunaga had no real history with the Yagyū clan. The game also features several alternate characters to trade and play with, as well as new weapons and elements. Through gift exchanges and a development of different degrees of friendship between the four sub-characters, the game may end in many combinations. All scenarios triggered by the gamer's selection will amount *to a 100% game completion as shown in the Scenario Route selection.

Apart from the main character Jūbei, (who was reportedly modeled after the late Japanese actor Yusaku Matsuda), the game features and revolves around four other sub-characters, each with a minor contribution to the story flow as chosen by the amount of involvement the gamer allows the characters.

[edit] Characters

Kotaro Fuma is the leader of the Fuma Ninja clan and retainer to the Hōjō clan, he is laid back and enjoys a good joke. Whenever Jubei is in trouble, he comes to the rescue using his ninjutsu. He eventually gets different colored ninja armor, provided Jubei gives it to him, but goes from using two daggers, to two curved knives.

Ekei Ankokuji is a monk who relishes in the delight of liquor and women, a master of the Hozoin art of the spear. Throughout the game, he looks much the same, the only notable difference in his design is the arm protector that he upgrades when you play as him. He wields a normal straight spear, but progresses to a houtengeki, and awkwardly enough goes western with a halberd.

Magoichi Saiga is the leader of the Saiga gun team, laid back, but always serious. Magoichi and Ekei are not on the best of terms since Magoichi "took away" Ekei's "girl". Magoichi uses a tri-barrel rifle of his own design, eventually sporting a flame thrower and pirate armor. He would later go on to train Ohatsu, one of Oyu's daughters in the ways of gunfighting.

Oyu of Odani, or better known as Oichi, was historically the sister of the infamous Nobunaga. She never met Jubei but did join in the fight against her overlord brother, historically with her husband - Asai Nagamasa rather than Jubei. But she later joined Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In the game, she is first seen by Jubei in the town of Imasho. Later he finds her in the clutches of Tokichiro (the future Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and rescues her (however her daughter Yodo will later go on to becomes his concubine and the mother of his heir). She wears western armor, a shield, and a broad sword.

Tokichiro Kinoshita is the most loyal servant to Genma Lord Oda Nobunaga, whom he serves as a general. He is portrayed in the game as a lackey, and some call him the 'monkey man'. He met Samonosuke in Onimusha Warlords, trying to persuade him to join the Oda clan to help topple the Saito clan. Now he is helping Nobunaga to conquer the entire country.

Ginghamphatts is a giant, semi-arachnid genma who serves under Genma Lord Oda Nobunaga. During his first battle with Jūbei — which he loses — he wields a giant pick axe. He swears revenge on Jūbei for the humiliation of being defeated by a mere mortal and faces him again in the forest, this time wielding a giant axe. Jūbei defeats him again and they do battle for a third and final time in the demon base tower. Ginghamphatts is vanquished for good in this battle, in which he wields a giant hammer with one of the sacred orbs attached to it.

Gogandantes The Self-Proclaimed "Greatest Swordsman of all the Demons", he says his title whenever he mentions his name. He is very human in appearance, which is unusual for most Genma in the series. Skilled with a Broadsword, he also uses throwing daggers and a magical shield that protects him from harm and sees Jūbei as his rival and challenges him to a duel 3 times. Jūbei has to use a Sacred Flute in order to disable the spell and defeat Gogandantes and gain a sacred orb in the final duel. Despite being a Genma it is obvious that Gogandantes has a very strong sense of chivalry and honor, even going as so far as to rescue Oyu from certain death.

Jujudormah A Genma serving as a concubine for Lord Nobunaga, she is an old and ugly Genma obsessed with Lord Nobunaga, even when it is obvious the feelings aren't mutual. She was also responsible for the death and murder of Jubei's mother "Tokajo". Self-Deluded, vain and obsessed with her 'good looks', she is flung into a rage when Jūbei calls her a 'Nasty Thing', causing her to scream loud enough to shatter glass. She is armed with a hand-bag equipped with a curved blade and a parasol that shoots powerful magical blasts. Is in a bit of a rivalry with Ginghamphatts as to who can kill Jūbei first.

[edit] Weapons

In-game screenshot

The Oni weapons that Jūbei receives are found in Dragon Shrines laid throughout the game.

Buraitō (舞雷刀, lit. Dancing Thunder Blade) is a thunder-elemental katana gained in the beginning of the game, similar to Samanosuke's Raizan from Onimusha: Warlords.

Hyōjin-Yari (氷刃槍, lit. Ice Edge Spear) is an ice-elemental spear, it goes from being a straight yari, through a katakama yari, to a magari/jumonji yari.

Senpumaru (旋風丸, lit. Whirlwind Circle) is another weapon true to the Onimusha series. This one is a double sided naginata that can summon the power of wind. This is similar to Samanosuke's Shippū from Onimusha: Warlords.

Dokōtsui (土鉱鎚, lit. Earth Waste Hammer) is a mighty earth-elemental hammer that elevates the ground and damages all enemies in the area.

Rekka-ken (烈火埜剣, lit. Conflagurate Sword) is the ultimate Oni weapon. It comes in the shape of a double-edged western fire-elemental sword, similar to Samanosuke's Enryū from Onimusha: Warlords.

Jūbei begins with his Yagyū sword, and goes on to obtain a bow, and the Tanegashima rifle. If Jūbei becomes best friends with Magochi, he receives a "Tri-Barrel Gun" as well, a "custom rifle" made by Magoichi.