As a reminder, Onimusha Warlords was released on PlayStation 2 in 2001: it was then one of the first major games to appear on the Sony console. If he made a strong impression, it was in particular thanks to his achievement of a particularly high level for the time. For this, the developers had chosen the technique of moving 3D characters in real time in pre-calculated sets, hence the richly detailed backgrounds. This method had already borne fruit in other large productions, including Resident Evil, among others. We even find the fixed angles of view characteristic of the latter for a filiation which then seems obvious, like a transcription of Survival-Horror in a Japan of the feudal era, where firearms have given way to bladed weapons. All with a coating, of course, a little less scary, but just as cinematic. So much so that Capcom called on actor Takeshi Kaneshiro (The Secret of the Flying Daggers) for the occasion, who lends his features and his voice to the protagonist Samanosuke Akechi.
AN HD REMASTER THAT CAN'T STAND OUT
But, almost twenty years later, what remains of this turn-of-the-century classic? On the one hand, it is useless to expect a graphic slap, since the technique of computer-generated image sets naturally pales in comparison to what has been possible in 3D for quite some time. Worse: the constraints imposed by this choice are all the more obvious today, such as the brutal changes in angle of view which occur very frequently, even during combat, which does not fail to disturb the readability of the action. That said, the developers have taken the trouble to revise the handling by putting aside the tank-like controls. As a result, even if the dodging system is still not very intuitive, the character's movements are done in a more natural way, without the need to rotate it to orient it correctly. In addition, the rather basic combat system does not deprive the clashes of pleasant sensations thanks to neat animations and a very good work on the sound effects.
Finally, if the biggest criticism that Onimusha received during its initial release was its short lifespan, a significant problem when you had to pay the full price for the game, the problem is more relative now that it is offered three times cheaper, especially since promotions will inevitably arise over time. We note, however, that the developers have not added the possibility of skipping the cut-scenes, especially after a particularly delicate sequence that we have to replay on a loop. The choice to only offer the first episode rather than a compilation including its two direct sequels (with the Dawn Of Dreams episode, that would have been royal) is also quite regrettable; maybe it's a story of contracts linked to the appearances of Jean Reno and the late Yusaku Matsuda… Whatever happens, despite a certain old age, Onimusha Warlords still holds up. But it is primarily aimed at fans of the time or players curious to know a little more about the history of Capcom.
