Shin Onimusha Dawn of Dreams (aka Onimusha 4)

Here is GameSpot's review for DoD:
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/s...p;subj=6145465
8.0

Quote:

The Good: Fast-paced, responsive combat rewards skill and timing ; great mix of pure action and puzzle-solving; epic-sized quest takes a while to finish and gives you good reason to come back; excellent audiovisual presentation.

The Bad: Noticeably recycles content from previous Onimusha games; some bad dialogue and implausible plot points mar the story.

Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams plays it safe, presenting lots more of what fans of the series loved about the past games, while adding a new layer of complexity to the action to help keep things fresh. The game doesn't assume your familiarity with the previous installments, though a lot of the story's references might fly over your head if all this material is new to you. Even so, there's enough exciting action in this latest Onimusha to make it live up to the quality of its predecessors.

On the hand it seems EGM didn't like it too much...:eyebrow:
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (PS2, Capcom): 4.5 / 7.5 / 6.5

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Jeez, EGM seems to be making more and more harsh reviews lately. Like DOA4, they gave it 7.0 6.5 6.5, while everywhere else gave it higher than an 8. Maybe they're just giving the game to the wrong reviewers?

Anywy, what were the good and the bad from EGM?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I think EGM is focusing on being a more credible magazine by just lowering their scores for the games they cover. So maybe they expect to be a zine version of Gamespot.

I've owned the import copy of Shin Onimusha for some time now and giving a 4 is probably the most ridiculous thing I've seen in a while. It's an 8 at the worst, since it's loads of fun and, so far to most players, topples the other Onimusha's (although I liked 3 very much).

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I would also like to mention that they scored Final Fight: Streetwise higher than Onimusha. If that's not absolutely ridiculous, I don't know what is.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Hantei

Jeez, EGM seems to be making more and more harsh reviews lately. Like DOA4, they gave it 7.0 6.5 6.5, while everywhere else gave it higher than an 8. Maybe they're just giving the game to the wrong reviewers?

Anywy, what were the good and the bad from EGM?

I'm not sure. The score originated from GameFront and I got them via GAF. Here are the rest of the scores for the issue:

Quote:

Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence (PS2, Konami): 10 / 10 / 9,5 [Game Of The Month]
Fight Night Round 3 (Xbox 360, EA): 9,0 / 8,0 / 8,0
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Xbox 360, Ubisoft): 10 / 9,0 / 9,5
Marc Ecko's Getting Up (Xbox/PS2, Atari): 4,5 / 4,0 / 6,5
Black (Xbox/PS2, EA): 6,5 / 6,0 / 8,0
Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers (Xbox/PS2, THQ): 5,0 / 5,0 / 5,0
Sonic Riders (Xbox/PS2/GC, Sega): 5,0 / 5,5 / 5,0
Final Fight Streetwise (Xbox/PS2, Capcom): 6,5 / 7,0 / 7,0
24: The Game (PS2, Sony): 7,5 / 5,5 / 7,0
MLB 06 (PS2, Sony): 6,5 / 6,0 / 4,0
State of Emergency 2 (PS2, SouthPeak): 6,0 / 5,0 / 6,0
Shadow Hearts: From The New World (PS2, Xseed): 8,0 / 7,5 / 7,0
Beatmania (PS2, Konami): 7,5 / 4,5 / 5,5
Karaoke Revolution Country (PS2, Konami): 7,5 / 6,5 / 7,0
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (PS2, Capcom): 4,5 / 7,5 / 6,5
Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (NDS, Capcom): 6,5 / 7,0 / 7,5
Pokemon Trozei (NDS, Nintendo): 6,5 / 7,0 / 6,5
Rub Rabbits (NDS, Sega): 6,0 / 5,0 / 6,0
Super Monkey Ball: Touch & Roll (NDS, Sega): 6,5 / 5,5 / 6,5
Pursuit Force (PSP, Sony): 3,5 / 4,0 / 6,5
Metal Gear Acid 2 (PSP, Konami): 8,0 / 9,0 / 8,5
Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code (PSP, Sony): 6,5 / 5,0 / 5,0
Tales of Phantasia (GBA, Namco): 6,0 / 7,5 / 7,5

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Man, even 24 slightly surpasses DoD's score, and like Rei no Otaku mentioned Final Fight scoring higher than DoD too. I have to read that article, I wanna see what was so bad about the game that those two reviewers had to give it a 4.5 and 6.5.

In anycase, hopefully the game will be in stores by today or tomorrow (preferrably today)!

FELIPE NO

This game's gonna be 40$ at Circuit City. I can't wait to get my hands on it. I don't really care about the reviews, as long as it plays, smells and look like an Onimusha game, that's good enough for me!

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Woo hoo got my copy.

Just question, but did they cut out Ayumi Hamasaki's songs from the game? Cause I thought the demo sequence at the start menu was supposed to be Ayumi's "Startin'", but instead we get the game's intro.

Not that I was crazy about her songs for the game, but I'm just a little disappointed that they took out the nifty promo. I mean, even Onimusha 2 kept in Hotei Tomoyasu's "RUSSIAN ROULETTE"(even though the song itself was pretty bad). Makes me wonder what they switched the ending song with now, as Ayumi's "rainy day" was supposed to the games ending theme.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Hantei

Man, even 24 slightly surpasses DoD's score, and like Rei no Otaku mentioned Final Fight scoring higher than DoD too. I have to read that article, I wanna see what was so bad about the game that those two reviewers had to give it a 4.5 and 6.5.

In anycase, hopefully the game will be in stores by today or tomorrow (preferrably today)!

That's because one of their editors is the biggest 24 fan and met the 24 show crew prior to the review being up. I think a different editor wrote the review, but there's still some sort of favoritism going on. At any rate...

Originally Posted by Hantei

Woo hoo got my copy.

Just question, but did they cut out Ayumi Hamasaki's songs from the game? Cause I thought the demo sequence at the start menu was supposed to be Ayumi's "Startin'", but instead we get the game's intro.

No clue. Although if they did, that would be most disappointing. Makes me glad I bought the import copy. I'm not the biggest Ayumi fan either, but this song seriously fits the game well and gives it the right mood. Taking it out would just be ridiculous.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I just got my copy now, but can't play it before 5 cause I have work to do. For some reason, I went to EBgames and the game was priced at 50$, however, at gamestop, it was 40$. It's weird cuz both companies are suppose to be the same now. Anyway, can't wait to boot it in my PS2!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I got duped in release dates. What the shit.

So I'm getting it tomorrow.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Haha, nevermind about the Ayumi songs, they're still there. You just have to switch to the Japanese dub track and the demo sequence will now be a little DoD MV featuring Ayumi's "Startin'". Naturally, in the NA release the default is english, hence why I saw the game's intro instead.

How ya doing, buddy?

If you check the gamespot site, you will find a extra gam called onimusha Arena, a 2 player VS mode like Blade Warriors cept the camera angles are Onimusha 4 style.

What ticks me off is that NO ONE knows how to unlock in on the Japan IMPORT!
RAGE!!

So if anyone finds out about how to unlock it in the JP version PLEASE let me know. THE USA version uses button codes which can be found on brady games guide and soon on the codes section on Gamefaqs.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Hantei

Haha, nevermind about the Ayumi songs, they're still there. You just have to switch to the Japanese dub track and the demo sequence will now be a little DoD MV featuring Ayumi's "Startin'". Naturally, in the NA release the default is english, hence why I saw the game's intro instead.

I could have done without the Ayumi... I think she's awful and I disagree in that song fits the game. Hell, I think Russian Roulette fit better than Startin'

Excellent game so far, I just got Tenkai.

Quote:

What ticks me off is that NO ONE knows how to unlock in on the Japan IMPORT!
RAGE!!

Possible it was added to the US release?

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Rei no Otaku

I could have done without the Ayumi... I think she's awful and I disagree in that song fits the game. Hell, I think Russian Roulette fit better than Startin'

Meh, I kinda prefer "Startin'" over "Russion Roulette," not too fond of Hotei's singing.

Originally Posted by Kairi Li

So if anyone finds out about how to unlock it in the JP version PLEASE let me know. THE USA version uses button codes which can be found on brady games guide and soon on the codes section on Gamefaqs.

Was it button codes? I thought it was through completion of the game. Hey... maybe arena is NA bonus. Since we did have to wait a few more months after the Japanese release. Woo hoo, if true!


Anyway, I'm on stage 8 in the game, and I gotta say I'm loving it! The weapon/armour upgrading system is a lot better now. It takes a lot less souls to upgrade weapons and armour now, which gives players more chance to upgrade the library of weapons. Also, it's pretty cool how some of the weapons are the same ones from previous Onimushas. BTW, what does leveling up exactly do? Does the character just gain skill points out of it?

Oh and there are so many connections/references to the previous games, that us fans of series will definitely get more out of the game then the new comers.

Spoiler:

Minokichi, who's a decent from the descendant the same clan (mino clan) as the old hanging-upside-down-hermit guy from Onimusha 1 and 3. Haha, he even does the "Mmm, Haa!" when transporting you to revisit places. There's lots of referencing to Samanosuke, the oni with the gauntlet. Jubei's grandfather being the same Jubei from Onimusha 2 (rather obvious), who has met Samanosuke. Which is kinda indicating that the events of Blade Warriors, at least some of them, did happen. Then theres the consistent hinting that Tenkai is Samanosuke. There's also revisiting of Mt. Hiei. Even the appearance of Ako, which absolutely surprised me (using the true ending from Onimusha 3)

One thing that's bugging me is how there are some parts where we're givin text to read as opposed to a cut scene (which would have done a better job of telling the story). This is especially true for the text scene after defeating Sakon for the first time, have been better see scene said scene in action. Another thing is how sometimes a stage just ends off after defeating the boss and all of sudden we're in the hudeout again. Just a bad transistion in my opinion. Anyway, they're all just minor nitpicky things.

Most amazing jew boots

Quote:

BTW, what does leveling up exactly do? Does the character just gain skill points out of it?

I think it increases HP and Oni magic. I'm not 100% on that, but I believe I saw the bars increase.

Originally Posted by Gamefaqs

Onimusha Arena
If you don't want to wait to beat the game in order to play 'Onimusha Arena' then go to Special on the main menu, and leaving the cursor on the word 'Exit' enter this code:

Square, L1, R2, Square, Left, L1, L2, L3, Right, Triangle

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Rei no Otaku

I think it increases HP and Oni magic. I'm not 100% on that, but I believe I saw the bars increase.

Hmm, maybe I dunno. I think you can only increase those bars by either using the jewels or from the bonus stats your weapon/accessory gives.

Oh how about leveling up the armour? The only thing that I notice it doing is just increasing the slots. Does increase defense too? Cause it's hard to tell, our hps (mine and the AI) always seems to get drained quite quickly, especially against the bosses.

Bleh, I need to flip through a strategy guide.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I'm glad you confirmed that there is a Japanese language option, thanks Hantei.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Man, I'm lovin this game! So far, the only thing bothering me in the game is how harder the Issen (criticals) are to do compared to the previous games. Before, I was going through the game doing criticals almost every time I was seeing an enemy. But now, it’s somehow harder and since I seem to die more quickly than in the other games, I don’t feel like doing it too much.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

The Arena thing was in the import and someone did unlock it, but didnt post how.

And the Japanese Official guide book had nothing on that, nor did they have the 2 player code.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Zero

Man, I'm lovin this game! So far, the only thing bothering me in the game is how harder the Issen (criticals) are to do compared to the previous games. Before, I was going through the game doing criticals almost every time I was seeing an enemy. But now, it’s somehow harder and since I seem to die more quickly than in the other games, I don’t feel like doing it too much.

When I played the demo, I also had a extremely hard time doing the issen. Can someone tell me how it's done? In Oni 2, it's before it strikes while in the 3rd you have to block and counterattack in a speed of light. How is it here? I mean, I make Soki's sword glow blue (R1?) and hopefully score an issen move.

Can someone enlighten me at the least?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Terminus

When I played the demo, I also had a extremely hard time doing the issen. Can someone tell me how it's done? In Oni 2, it's before it strikes while in the 3rd you have to block and counterattack in a speed of light. How is it here? I mean, I make Soki's sword glow blue (R1?) and hopefully score an issen move.

Can someone enlighten me at the least?

I gotta admit, I had the same troubles too, cause was so used to the system in the previous 3 games. But once you learn some of the tricks you'll find that issens are pretty simple to do this time around.

The easiest issen to perform is the "Breaking Critical." The best method to activate it is to use your level 1 magic and then quickly mash at the square button. Another trick is to deflect an enemy's attack, where you block just before the enemy tries to hit you, if you see the enemy stagger then hit the square buton. One other way is to kick at the enemy when they're blocking, then hit square. Kicking at them while they block will break their guard and make them stagger much like a deflecting issen.

Also, chaining the issens is so much easier in this one, compared to Onimusha 3, as all you have to do is mash the square button after successfully performing one issen attack.

FELIPE NO

Well I just play it and I have to say that it's FUN! Chain attacks rox and chain critical blows are great!! Is it just me or weapon and armor is leveling faster? I was right about game time, it's around 20 hours just like I said earlier =). Ok back to slashing =D

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I just got this, Im only on Stage 3 and Im loving every minute of it. I messed up the first 2x on the 2nd boss thougb but got him the 3rd time! lol. Completely forgot about the Triangle button/Oni Magic, that did him in quickly. Can anyone explain the criticals though? I dont think ive gotten one yet.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

First of all press R1 to lock on target then press Triangle to use Oni Magic after this move Left analog stick in the direction your enemy is and press Square as fast as you can. Then each time you're making critical change direction of your analog stick to get on next enemies. Remember to boost your chain and critical skill after each level.

There's nowhere I can't reach.