forbes.com
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Hands-on Preview: Visceral Combat and Deep Mechanics
A hands-on preview of Onimusha: Way of the Sword reveals a visceral action game set in a demon-infested Edo-era Kyoto, featuring a deep combat system blending parries, deflections, and perfectly timed attacks, creating a fluid and rewarding combat experience.
- What are the key gameplay mechanics in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and how do they contribute to the overall combat experience?
- Onimusha: Way of the Sword, a soft reboot in the series, offers a smooth and cool action game experience set in a demon-infested Edo-era Kyoto. The game blends real-world locations with fantastical elements, immediately immersing players in visceral combat.
- How does the game blend historical settings with fantastical elements, and what impact does this have on the narrative and atmosphere?
- The game's combat system, while initially simple with basic attacks and blocks, offers depth through parries, deflections, evasions, and perfectly timed Issen attacks. These mechanics allow for fluid, combo-heavy battles reminiscent of Ninja Gaiden and Batman Arkham games, rewarding skillful play.
- Considering the demo's difficulty and combat system, what challenges and rewards might players expect in the full game, and how will this affect the overall player experience?
- The demo showcased a potential for high difficulty, as the final boss fight provided a real challenge unlike the earlier encounters. The game's violent and gory aesthetic, while intense, contributes to the empowering feeling of being a powerful, feared warrior rather than a struggling survivor. This suggests a dynamic difficulty curve and a focus on rewarding player skill.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive, focusing on the enjoyable aspects of the gameplay and downplaying any potential negatives. The reviewer's initial apprehension is mentioned, but quickly overshadowed by enthusiastic praise. The headline itself, "Onimusha: Way of the Sword—Hands-On Preview", sets a neutral expectation, but the overwhelmingly positive tone of the review shifts the overall framing.
Language Bias
The language used is largely enthusiastic and positive, using words like "unbelievably smooth," "effortlessly cool," and "liberating." While this contributes to the positive tone, it lacks strict neutrality. However, the descriptions are grounded in the reviewer's experience, so it doesn't feel overly manipulative. For instance, "disgusting creatures" could be toned down to "unusual creatures.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the gameplay and personal experience, omitting potential discussion of the game's narrative, characters beyond Musashi, or its overall place within the Onimusha series' story arc. While this is understandable given the hands-on preview format, it limits a complete understanding of the game's overall context and appeal.