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Much more repetitive than it should be

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: December 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I'm disappointed in this game. I think it's repetitive and difficult, but it looks as though I am in the minority as nearly all the other reviews I can see are raving about it. This third game in the Onimusha series seems to me to be the least developed in regards to it's story. The first two games had me really interested in Samunouske (or the bloke in the second one) and the war they were raging against evil Nobunaga, but this time round I just don't care. The time travel plot seems completely arbitrary, it's just a way to spice up the game with a new location (Paris) and have dual characters. Where or whoever you happen to be in the game though, there's basically very little to do except hack and slash at everything you see until they are all dead and then move onto the next area. In my opinion this makes it little more than a progressive beat-em-up...at one point in the Paris sewers, I was almost convinced I was playing Zombie Revenge! OK, it is a little more sophisticated than that, but the core gameplay is seriously one dimensional.

It's also pretty unforgiving as far as control goes, and I started to get really hacked off around the time I reached Mont Saint Michel. The enemies are pretty good fighters and clearing a room of 10 or so can be a tough job. It's made harder and more frustrating by a fixed camera, which can make you lose your sense of who you are aiming at, and a poor auto-target system that makes the character turn to face an enemy that may sometimes NOT be the one you intended to take a swing at, so that on some occasions I went into my attack pattern facing thin air while the enemy I had intended to hit had plenty of time to come up and paste me from behind. The scenery also has the annoying habit of having invisible boundaries that cause you to get stuck in "corners" you can't see, which can mean you promptly end up on the floor. The recovery control for getting up after a fall is also awful.

I haven't even got started on training mode yet. This little mini game seems fun at first but I completely failed to understansd critical evades, deflect attack critical hits, and some kind of ten-string critical chain attack that I have never even seen. The timing and on-screen prompts for these attacks working are non-existant as far as I'm concerned. I can't master any of them, and am now wondering whether it is worth trying to finish the game if my characters have no advanced skills to help them! Being able to jump would be a godsend, but despite the complex attack combos created, this simple option was completely ignored.

All this of course may be just a cover-up for the fact that I am not very good at this game. It's probably partly true, but I never liked beat-em-ups, where it's all about timing and lightning-fast accurate button sequences, and I didn't think I had bought one with this game. But now I'm starting to think that I have. All the important critical attacks are probably required to get the most fun out of this game, but they are all escaping me totally and I'm stuck swinging my weapons around like a crazed loon, which as any seasoned player will tell you, is not going to get you much further than the easiest stages. If I cared a little for the story, I might try harder, but I don't. The characters are all very shallow...they all play the same, just kitted out with different weapons.

The game does look great, although as usual the play areas are conveniently defined by silly little conventions that stop you from straying outside the required street or patch of land, most notably those lame little boundaries around the Arc de Triomphe. The opening CGI movie is breathtaking, very realistic. The music is also ok, but Jacques, his son Henri and Michelle all get their native French tongues replaced with"Hollywood blockbuster" American accents once they meet Samunouske, and the fairy helper Ako grants that they must all be allowed to understand each other, and this really grated on me.

Sorry to be a fly in the ointment, but I'm really bored of this game. Whacking dozens and dozens of constantly re-spawning demons is making my thumbs sore, and the gorgeous graphics are not doing enough to bring me back to this for much longer.

dud

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 8
Date: May 31, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I just opened the triangle lock door in the castle. I am a fan of the previous installments, playing through both of them twice, this one, however, is not giving me as much enjoyment. I'm going to try and finish it as soon as I finish here but not because I find it fun or addictive, but because I want to hurry and finish it and trade it in before its value plumishes. So far I'd give it a 3: a + for analog movement; a + for good graphics, but not as great as the prequels; - - almost getting a + but not quite is the fact there are at least some moments of intensity, like the dark realms, if only the entire game was this crazy; a big minus for attack timing on this game, heres a perfect example: when your knocked to the ground, the time it takes to get up is exactly the same as the time it takes for your attacker to volley in his next attack, so you find yourself standing up and getting whacked again alot, this is not a skill or strategy fault of mine, it is a design flaw in the timing/placing of triggers vs. player placement. Another example is when a foe is knocked to the ground, you can come up to him and tap on attack and you can stab him while hes laying there, finishing him off. However, most of the time, the timing/placement trigger is slightly off, and you find yourself stabbing your sword into the ground, missing your foe, and while your trying to detach your sword from the ground guess what happens? You guessed it -- a cheap shot right to the ole nogg'n. I had so much fun doing this execution in the previous installment especially, but there if I missed, I knew it was my own screw up, and took whatever I had coming to me like a proper warrior, but here, in 3, I'm screaming at the screen, not because of difficulty(which is a good thing in my gamebook), but out of disgust for poor game programming. Especially since they got it right previously. In fact I wouldnt be surprised if the entire game is comprised of mostly a different programming team. Another big minus is the sound, from the boring yawn inducing music to the terrible terrible voice acting, not to mention the stupid choices in languages. This is how it should have went down soundwise: Japanese characters speak Japanese, French characters speak French, and its all translated in the subtitles for the player, instead, we get this stupid stupid stupid hodge-podge that is aesthically the ugliest thing about the game, well, next to the annoying little fairie you have to put up with the entire game, which talks in a helium voice that will drive some gamers to suicide. As for the graphics, call me an old coot, but I thought the graphics in the other games were aesthically better, not finer in detail, just better, more coherent and seamless, and befitting to the game - I'm a huge Kuroswawa fan so maybe I'm biased, but here its akin to looking at Pamela Anderson. Bottom line: rent it, have some fun. But if your looking to hit the game store right now looking for some action on the PS2: the previous 2 games can be had for less than 10 for the first and around 15 for the 2nd, get them together and you'll have a blast for a while. And then theres the obvious action choice: Devil May Cry - still the best action game ever made. I still play it on a regular basis. Why? Because it delivers even on the 5th time through. Why? How can it deliver on the 5th time through? Well, when you finish it the first time through, hard mode is opened, you continue from the beginning again, however, not only is enemy placement and difficulty different, you can still uprade your health and abilities until you max them out, maybe you max out this ability the second time through or maybe the third. Its up to you. And after hard mode theres even a harder mode and its f'n hard! Anywyas, you'll find yourself going around looking for fights to gather more and more orbs, wanting to stat up. And the thing is, the fights are a f'n blast - fast-hard-intense-varied - and they are there like clockwork, beckoning you to bring it on. In Onimusha 3 I deal with the enemies like a person in the jungle cutting a path; in Devil May Cry, I deal with them like a badass mofo with one badass mofo arsenal: swords, guns, grenade launcher, fiery uppercuts, lightening bolts, the list goes on and on, oh yea, and the ability to jump. Anyways, I'm a 33-year old man, father of 3, and I'm here writing a treatise on a frigg'n video game, well, lets just say I wanted to give you fellow action gamers a heads up on this puppy. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!!! HOWEVER, A RENTAL WILL BE WORTH YOUR TIME AND MONEY. Well, now I'll go finish this game, and if it wows me and changes my mind I'll get back on and recant. But if you dont see another post by me in a couple days then HEED MY WORDS!!!

Boring

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: August 05, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game is the same thing from the past 2 games, it becomes boring, the same exact story line but with 1 new character that is all

Fans of Beat ýem upsý

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: May 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Okay, this is a review of Onimusha 3's gameplay. Not the story, graphics or sound. There are other reviews for those. The most important part of playing a game is of course gameplay.

Onimusha 3 is, at its core, a beat-em up or hack n' slash (not survival horror like the previous Onimushas). Fans of this genre come from the old school Ninja Turtles Arcade, Devil May Cry and more importantly the revamped Ninja Gaiden. A good hack n' slash title gives players the feeling of combat and the illusion of being fused to their character.

The same gameplay from past Onimushas is found here with the addition of analog control. This provides more freedom but offers no new abilities. The inclusion of a 180 degree button is odd and useless when analog is available (as is auto-targeting). Power attacks are performed by ONE button only. It never felt like I created the Power attacks (a combo system leading to the Power move would've provided more satisfaction).

Also you can suck in purple orbs and transform into the Almighty Onimusha with the click of R3. This didn't sit right since the R stick is never used (two buttons together like square and triangle, would've felt more powerful than an insta-god button). This might feel easier for some, but others might want to feel like their character is transforming. The counter attacks on the other hand, are very difficult to pull off and at times feel quite random.

To mix things up this time around Onimusha 3 stars Samanouske as well as a new character Jacques Blanc, who differs with distance attacks by way of his whip. This offers some variety until you get used to his combos. Weapons from both characters are different in look and elemental properties, but you can basically choose your favorite and play on. They do not differ from one another any other way.

I suppose Samurai never jump. The CG intro was enjoyable, yet I found myself longing to jump at least once. Jacques can use his whip to cling to hovering fairies (bizarre...) while swinging over some of the main bosses. This is not very exciting.

AI is also lacking in depth. Most enemies just walk towards you or swing a ball and chain till they get to you. For the entirety of the game you will probably either block a lot or dance around your enemies. I never once found a formidable opponent.

Onimusha 3 sticks to its suck-in orb, hack n' slash roots while, sadly, other games have moved on. There are better games of this genre out such as the new Ninja Gaiden. Both games can be classified as beat-em ups, but only Ninja Gaiden succeeds in providing character fusion. This must be considered in every game but Gaiden gives the player the illusion that they are actually performing the hack n' slash, not just performing the button pressing. Hack n' slash is not supposed to feel as constricting as Onimusha 3. It is supposed to, in a manner of speaking, rock your world.

Great Game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 04, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Having bought the game this weekend, I must say I'm thouroughly enjoying it. Great story, great mix of serious and fun characters, great Samurai action. The game engine is the same as Onimusha 1&2, but you don't need to have played the first two games to play this one. The graphics are excellent, and much to my joy, you can use the analog stick to control your character.

I think most people's problem is the game graphics don't match the into CGI intro. Seriously, does any game have graphics to match this masterpiece? I'm happy to have this little jewel on the disc where I can enjoy it anytime I pop the game in. If you're into Samurai hack n slash fun, then this is the game for you. If your not, then you may be somewhat disappointed. Overall though, a very enjoyable way to end the trilogy.

Demon Siege

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 06, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Sadly this was meant to be the final game of the intended trilogy. The people at Capcom made a bad decision by using known actors as models for the main characters. Their should have been at least two more bosses. I finished the game rather quickly since I'm used to the gameplay (I own the first two Onimusha titles as well). This being the planned finale for the trilogy, it did not cater enough to those dedicated players who have been active with the beginning of the series. Bummer. I still give 3 stars because its basic gameplay and concept I've liked since Oni-1.

If you Love this Game.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 6
Date: May 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

If you love Samurai-Ninjas, France and time travel this game is for you. If you love movie star tie-ins, this game is for you. If you love using fairies to move from platform to platform, this game is for you. If fighting a whiny sixteen-year old 3 times brings a tear of joy to your eye, this game is definitely for you.

If you love Onimusha games (which used to rely on great plot and character development) you might be sorely disappointed with this one. Through the 10 or so hours played through this game, you for sure must deal with the Onimusha combat system, that's a given. So what's left is your plot and character development. This game must have been either severely edited or butchered on its way over from Japan. During the game you might be asking yourself some questions:
"Why can't I feel for these characters and their struggle when the voice acting is so bad...the fairy makes dialogue even more cheesy...WHAT? No sign of Nobunaga till the END of the game?! Instead I have to deal with the whiny Gildenstern scientist and the even whinier 16-year old Ranmaru throughout the entire game?!"

Don't fret. It's not you it's just the bad game is all.

I thought this game was called Demon Siege, but the only siege is in the awesome CG intro (check out the flying monster's head--ripped straight from the movie "Willow" lol!). That was like an entirely different beast than the game itself. It had a broader, more epic feel and more of a conclusion than the game's ending. The rest of the CG uses the in-game character models (believe me this looks VERY low quality).
Why must Onimusha 3 have only one cool CG when the prequels had at least three or four?
Even though the game has your two characters traversing through time, between France and Japan, the adventure never feels epic or huge. It's probably because you spend such little time in each area and it's all over so quickly. The prequels spent the whole time in one area--Japan. Those 10 hours felt, surprisingly, very huge compared to the clunky ride that is Onimusha 3.
I think people were expecting Samanouske to return, but there were some that hoped Jubei to return as well, NOT to replace Samanouske but to fight alongside him as duel Samurai (two-player co-op online would've been very cool). Trust me, when Jacques acquires his very "American" accent, you will be wanting Jubei's return.

Gameplay is not bad at all, just not good or could very well be better. This game should and must be rented. But if you are the kind of person who collects trilogies, get it to complete your set (it's kind of like owning the Matrix trilogy; pretty clunky). Speaking of Matrix there is a part in the game cinemas which pays yet another homage to the movie's "bullet-time" effect: Jacques performs the infamous "Trinity-Jump" (what? why can't you jump in the game itself?). Hope they learn for an Onimusha 4.

Average

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 6
Date: February 13, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game plays fairly average to me, I was expecting something far more interesting, instead I get a game with repetitive gameplay and a much linear story. Its not a terrible game its just that theres nothing innovative enough to impress me.

'' DON'T LET IT END '' !

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 12
Date: November 28, 2004
Author: Amazon User

SADLY THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LAST GAME IN THE
'' ONIMUSHA ''SAGA..ALTHOUGH THE FIRST IS STILL THE VERY BEST, THE LAST ONE WAS FAR BETTER THAN THE SECOND ONIMUSHA.DON'T GET ME WRONG IT WAS VERY GOOD, BUT ALL THE TRADING GOT A BIT ON THE TIRING SIDE.JUST LIKE THOSE GAMES WITH ALL THE PUZZLES,AND NOT THAT MUCH ACTION.I ESPECIALLY LIKE HOW THEY PUT JEAN RENO IN THE STRY.AS WELL AS MAKING A GOOD STORY AT THAT AS WELL.NOW ONTO THE ACTION, IT IT STILL AWESOME!!ALL THE CHARACTERS HAVE THEIR OWN WEAPONS,AND YOU PLAY AS JAQUES,SAMANOSKE,AND A FEMALE COP WHO IS THE LOVE INTEREST OF JAQUES.IT ALL TAKES PLACE IN PARIS,WITH LOTS OF BAD GUYS TO SLAY,AND COOL BOSSES TOO..BUT I JUST WISH THAT SAMANOSKE HAD ALL HIS ORIGINAL WEAPONS FROM THE FIRST GAME.YOU GET TO PLAY A LITTLE BIT OF THE GAME WITH THEM, AND THEN YOU LOSE THEM.. AND OF COURSE YOU STILL NEED TO TRADE , BUT IT IS DONE RATHER TASTEFULLY. AND OF COURSE THERE IS ALWAYS LOTS OF ACTION, NASTY ASSES TO DUST ,AND AS WELL AS A GOOD STORY TOO.HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU EVEN GET THAT IN A MOVIE?BUT YOU COULD PLAY IT CLOSELY AND GET ALL THAT THERE IS TO GET IN THE GAME,AS WELL AS OUT OF IT..OR JUST PLAY IT,HAVE LOADS OF FUN ! TO PLAY IT AGAIN LATER ON, CAUSE IT IS JUST THAT GOOD... BUT IT IS UP TO YOU OF COURSE.BUT IN MY OPINION YOU'LL LOVE THIS GAME SO MUCH,THAT YOU'LL GO OUT FOR THE OTHER ONES TOO. GO AHEAD ,AND ENJOY HOURS UPON HOURS OF FUN...AND HAVING THE GUIDES AREN'T BAD EITHER ...

Not so good

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 14
Date: September 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

when i got this game i thought it was going to be cool but it wasent it sucked balls thats all i have to say.

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