- A saga of two different stories which transcends four centuries
- Dual hero system with two very different kinds of action
- Full polygonal backgrounds
- In-depth battle scenes with more sword slashing action
- Features actor Jean Reno
- CG action directed by Hong Kong action director/star Donnie Yen
- New level and depth to story
- For 1 player
Whereas in the movies a third entry in a franchise is seldom a byword for quality, video games seem to suffer more from that "difficult second album" syndrome. In keeping with many recent titles Onimusha 3 rights all the wrongs of its immediate predecessor while taking everything that was right about the original and genuinely improving it.
On a technical level the improvements are obvious, with the backgrounds now being in full 3D, instead of just being static picture postcards, and the control system is completely new--ditching the awkward turn-and-move dynamic inherited from Resident Evil. The story, while still largely perfunctory, also offers a genuinely new setting with the fight against evil taking place not just in feudal Japan but also modern day Paris.
Once the action does get to the City of Love you're given the chance to control French cop Jacques Blanc as well as the first game's Samanosuke. Both characters are given the features of famous movie stars and although Takeshi Kaneshiro is largely unknown outside of Japan, Jean "Léon" Reno provides the face of Jacques.
To make things more interesting Jacques ends up in medieval Japan and Samanosuke has to battle on in France. A helpful little fairy called Ako is able to move between the two eras at will and thereby enables a number of interesting puzzles later in the game. It's hardly a revelation in originality but for simple demon-bashing fun Onimusha 3 is hard to beat. --David Jenkins
Manufacturer's Description
In Onimusha 3 the stage is set in the year 1582 at the burning Honnoji Temple, as the famous Onimusha warrior Samanosuke Akechi fights. As he faces the demons in front of him, he is compelled to move forward by hatred for his true enemy, the undying Nobunaga Oda, ever pursuing his crazed ambition. Samanosuke prepares for the long-awaited final battle against Nobunaga.
The year is now 2004 and Jean Reno plays Jacques Blanc as the peaceful French capital is suddenly attacked by demons. In the blink of an eye, Paris is transformed into a nightmarish nest of Genma demons who are slaughtering the civilians and soldiers one by one. Within this nightmare appears one man, a man who stands up against the Genma demons.
Why has Samanosuke suddenly appeared in present Paris and Jacques in feudal Japan? What fate awaits these two men? What will be the final outcome of each of their stories? Find out the truth when you play the game.
PlayStation2