Oni is set in a futuristic world that is similar to those featured in animes/mangas such as Ghost In The Shell. In this dark future the World Coalition Government has set up a new style police force, called the Technological Crimes Task Force (TCTF), to try a clamp down on the evolution and distribution of new technologies. However organisations such as the Syndicate still deal in illegal technologies (as well as other illegal activities no doubt).

Taking the role of rookie TCTF officer Konoko, your job is to snuff out the illegal dealings of the Syndicate. To this end Konoko, and many other TCTF operatives, are linked (through a neural link) to their own SLD, or Simulated Life Doll. Konoko's particular SLD is called Shinitama. Shinitama will often provide you with important strategic and tactical updates from HQ, as well as new objectives. From the first mission onwards you begin to learn that Konoko is not like other humans, hence the reason that hypo-sprays "work different on you to other people."

As Konoko progresses through the many different levels in the game she will become more and more adept at the most enthralling part of the game, the hand-to-hand combat. This has been the centre of attention for Oni really. Many fans out there have been waiting in anticipation of being able to bust incredible combos on some unsuspecting terrorist lackey.

And Bungie has not let these fans down. The combo moves in particular are incredible to watch. Konoko seems to combine gymnastic grace with deadly force, impressive to watch. Several moves will bring tears to the eyes of gamers, both of laughter and of pain. The backbreaker and disarming move are just a couple of moves which will leave you contented, whilst leaving your opponents in the ER ward of the local hospital.

Also of particular interest here is the ability to use your opponents as weapons against their buddies. On numerous occasions whilst fighting two or more opponents it is possible to grab one opponent and throw him into several of the others, causing damage to all off them. This is an especially good tactic to use when cornered in, or when opponents are near to the edge of a large drop, as crashing them into each other can cause them to fall to their deaths.

But the combat system does have it flaws. The first flaw that can get annoying is the lack of a block button. In order to block you are required to stand still. This might sound all well and good, but when in the thick of an intense melee this can be far from easy. A block button here would have been very appreciated. The second annoyance with the combat system is the fact that it takes an immense amount of skill to pull off some of the combos. Although there are only two attack moves, kick and punch, the buttons for these are located on both the mouse (left button for punch and right button for kick) and on the keyboard (f punches and g kicks), the combo moves are at times impossible to finish. Most combos require precise timing, which can be incredibly hard to find whilst being assaulted by two enemies.