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Things aren't all perfect in the visual department though, as Capcom have opted to use pre-rendered backgrounds rather than the real-time graphics used in Resident Evil: Code Veronica. It almost appears to be a step backwards for Capcom, as the backgrounds can sometimes be a little muddy and unclear, especially when compared to the characters occupying the screen. The 3D graphics stand out on the backdrops a little too much, sometimes making them appear to be badly superimposed onto an oil painting. The camera angles can also be awkward, and because the camera doesn't move around to get the best angle of the action it is possible to miss seeing an approaching attacker even though your character should have had no problems seeing it coming, which causes the game to lose some of it's realism.
The sound effects in the game are a mixed bag. The music is excellent, and utilises a great orchestral soundtrack that sets a good atmosphere for the game. The combat sound effects are well-sampled too, as is to be expected from a survival horror game made by Capcom. What lets Onimusha down is the voice acting. The lip-synching is some of the worst yet seen in a game. After a character finishes a sentence they appear to keep mouthing words for a good 1-2 seconds after they stop speaking. While this has no direct effect on gameplay it just serves to make an already generic storyline look worse, and adds a comedic element that doesn't fit into the game at all (unlike the original Resident Evil game, in which the bad voice acting was perfect for the game).
Top marks go to Capcom for the actual gameplay system used in Onimusha, which incorporates their existing Resident Evil combat engine and modifies it to the extent that the game feels more action-oriented, contains far more moves and abilities, and is much easier to control. The combat system itself can be likened to a simplified Zelda engine, which allows the player to lock on to their opponent before moving in for the kill (and also helps to alleviate some of the camera-angle problems). Weapons can also be upgraded, which adds a nice touch for players that want more freedom in customising their weapon's special power. Puzzles are few and far between, and when you do come across them they are nothing majorly complicated, so this game is definitely oriented more towards gamers who favour action to adventuring. Like the Resident Evil and Dino Crisis games, Onimusha is quite linear in its gameplay, which eliminates needless backtracking but also tends to limit any replayability the game may have had.
Onimusha's most glaring fault is its length, as the game is very short. This reviewer took about 8-9 hours to complete the game first time through, so while the experience may be a fun one it'll all be over all too soon.
While perhaps better suited to a rental or bargain-bin purchase for the average punter, survival horror fans will want to add the game to their collection. For gamers who make survival horror their 'thing', Onimusha is most definitely worth a purchase, as long as you understand it'll be a quick, eventful ride through a horror game with a difference.
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