Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny
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| Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny | |
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| Developer(s) | Capcom |
| Publisher(s) | Capcom |
| Series | Onimusha series |
| Aspect ratio | 480i (SDTV) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release date | 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+ |
| Media | 1 DVD |
| Input methods | DualShock 2 |
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny, released in Japan as Onimusha 2 (鬼武者2 Onimusha Tsū?), is a sequel to Onimusha: Warlords and the second installment in the Onimusha series of video games. The plot revolves around a new protagonist, Jubei Yagyu (柳生 十兵衛 Yagyū Jūbē?), as he battles a demonic Genma army which is invading 1573 Japan. Nobunaga Oda, a sinister warlord who was slain in the previous game, has been resurrected and placed at the head of the Genma forces.[1] Apart from the main character, the game features four playable sub-characters, each of whom shares a part in the story. The player's actions determine which characters will decide to help Jubei in his quest.
The Jubei character is not the swordsman Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi, but rather his grandfather, Yagyū Muneyoshi, the originator of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū school of swordsmanship. The game also diverges from history in that Nobunaga had no dealings with the Yagyu clan.
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[edit] Gameplay
Like other Onimusha titles, Samuarai's Destiny features a non-analog stick control scheme found in many survival horror games published by Capcom, most notably Resident Evil.[2][1] Other similarities include an open-ended gameplay structure, the use of herbs and medicine to restore health, and the inclusion of puzzles which must be solved in order to progress. Hostile demons known as Genma inhabit most areas, and will attack and give chase to Jubei if they see him. Certain Genma attack with melee weapons, while others will flank the rear and shoot arrows at the protagonist. Although the side characters of Samurai's Destiny are restricted to a single type of weapon, Jubei collects an assortment of short and long-range weapons throughout the game, including a bow and a matchlock rifle. Each of the characters can strafe and block forward attacks.[2][1]
In order to discourage button mashing, the player is rewarded for performing "Issen" hits on Genma.[1] Issen occur when the player initiates an attack the moment an enemy is about to lunge forward. A bright flash will appear if the move was successful, and the target enemy will die instantly. If a group of Genma surround Jubei, he will be able to instantaneously chain several Issen hits together, effectively mowing down the entire group.
In the beginning, Jubei's only means of defense is his katana; shortly into the game, he gains the ability to absorb the souls of defeated Genma (a recurring device in Onimusha games). This power is similar to that of Samanosuke's gauntlet in Onimusha: Warlords, and functions the same way. "Demons Souls" are most often seen emanating from the fallen corpse of a slain Genma, and appear as glowing orbs that float in midair. Jubei can attract any orbs in the vicinity and draw them into his hand, provided that he is standing close enough. Unlike Warlords' gauntlet, Jubei draws orbs through his left hand.
Demons Souls are differentiated by the color of the orb: The most common type, red orbs, act as experience points which can be spent to improve Jubei's weapons and armor. Absorbing yellow orbs will restore a character's health. Blue orbs recharge magic ability. The rarest variety is the purple orb, which differs from the others in that it appears less frequently, and is much larger. When Jubei absorbs a total of five, he temporarily powers-up into an "Onimusha", increasing his attack damage and rendering himself invincible. The transformation wears off after a few seconds, after which Jubei's stock of purple souls is depleted.
Onimusha 2 introduces several role-playing elements into the series; the first is the option to improve Jubei's attack power, defense and speed by upgrading his gear. Secondly, defeated Genma often leave behind piles of gold which can be spent on healing items or gifts for other characters. Unlike its predecessor, Samurai's Destiny features a gold mining town called Imasho which is totally free of enemy encounters. During the first half of the game, Jubei periodically returns to Imasho in-between action sequences. It is here that the player can buy items using the gold dropped by defeated enemies. The 'Imasho Town' portion of the game gives an opportunity to give items to the various sub-characters.
[edit] Allies
During the Imasho Town sequences in the game, Jubei can buy goods from merchants and give them to any of the four sub-characters (Ekei, Magoichi, Kotaro & Oyu).[1] Reactions to a present will depend on that person's temperment; giving Oyu a bouquet of flowers will make her happy, whereas giving it to a male recipient will simply irritate them. Jubei's gift-giving will determine which warrior will assist him as the game progresses, and will in turn have an impact on the story.[2] In some cases, if the player fails to win a character over, that person will opt to shun or betray Jubei later on.
At certain points in the story, control may be passed to another character for a short period. These side-quests often begin with Jubei finding himself ambushed, trapped, or incapacited, requiring one of his allies to help him. During these events, the sub-character can equip a necklace which imbues them with the same soul-absorbing power which Jubei wields. Because this power is essential to gameplay, treasure chests containing necklaces are usually found in plain view as soon as the side quest starts.
[edit] Elemental weapons
As in the previous game, Jubei is able to use magic by wielding element-based weapons. The first one that Jubei receives is the Thunder Sword, a blade that channels lightning. During the course of the game he may acquire weapons with different properties, including the Ice Spear, the Wind Naginata, the Earth Hammer, and the Rekka-Ken (a Fire-based broadsword). When wielding these weapons, Jubei can perform a stronger elemental attack at any time.
In addition to his life bar, Jubei also has a meter which measures his magic ability. The meter dwindles each time Jubei casts a spell, but can be restored by absorbing blue Demon Souls.
[edit] Characters
- Jubei Yagyu. An ambitious young warrior and the hero of this story. The first leader of the Yagyu clan and originator of Shinin style sword combat. Also known as Sougen Yagyu or Sekisyusai. All leaders of the Yagyu clan are given a childhood name of Jubei. His father was the late Head of his clan, who was seduced and had a child by a female demon named Takajo. Jubei and his descendants possess the blood and ability of Oni-Clan; as Jubei is Half-Oni. Jubei was modeled after the late Japanese actor Yusaku Matsuda. After a period of solitary training, Jubei returns to Yagyu Village to find that his home has been raided and destroyed by Nobunaga's army.
- Oyu (Oichi): A fencer who wears western style armor and wields a western sword and a circular shield. She is beautiful but mysterious and her past is shrouded in mystery. She 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 - Azai 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). Nearly at the end, she was revealed as Nobunaga's sister and, in fact, joining the fight in order to secure her husband's territory.
- Ekei Ankokuji: A master spearfighter in the Houzouin style. He is a monk who loves money, liquor and the company of beautiful women. Before entering monkhood, he was a warlord who lost everything including his beloved family because his of his ambition. He appears sensitive to little children as he also had a daughter who died during the collapse of his clan.
- Nobunaga Oda. An ambitious warlord, determined to rule Japan with an iron fist. In league with demons, he orders his troops to attack Odani Castle.
- Kotaro Fuma: A Fuma Ninja who works for the Hojo clan. He confounds his opponent with his agile movement and countless Ninjutsu. His childhood has been stained by the experience of being abandoned by his mother; which has caused him to distrust women. However, it is wiped by Oyu's caring and kindness. He appear to be in his late teens to early twenties.
- Magoichi Saiga The leader of the "Saiga Shu" gun troop in Kii prefecture. Bold, bright and cool-headed, he is good at handling both a gun and 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 Jubei — which he loses — he wields a giant pick axe. He swears revenge on Jubei for the humiliation of being defeated by a mere mortal and faces him again in the forest, this time wielding a giant axe. Jubei 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 by falling to his death, in which he wields a giant hammer.
- Gogandantess 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 two-handed Jian Sword, he also uses throwing daggers and a magical shield that protects him from harm and sees Jubei as his rival and challenges him to a duel three times. Jubei has to use a Sacred Flute in order to disable the spell and defeat Gogandantess and gain a sacred orb in the final duel. Despite being a Genma it is obvious that Gogandantess 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 rather unattractive 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 "Takajo". Self-deluded, vain and obsessed with her 'good looks', she is flung into a rage when Jubei tracks her down in her lair and calls her a 'nasty thing', causing her to scream so loudly she shatters the mirror of her vanity desk. She is armed with a handbag equipped with a curved blade and a parasol that shoots powerful magical blasts. She is in a bit of a rivalry with Ginghamphatts as to who can kill Jubei first. She appears in a later game "Onimusha Blade Warriors," and as her younger, more attractive self as Juju-Ran.
[edit] Trivia
- Neither Samanosuke Akechi nor Guildenstern make an appearance in this game (though Guildenstern is mentioned in one of the files that Jubei finds, as well as in a drawing during the opening narration). Samanosuke also appears in the aforementioned opening narration in which he is fighting Fortinbras.
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