Otogi: Myth of Demons

X-Box

Sega/From Software - 2003

      For the first half-ish of this game, I thought it was perfect. Great graphics, cool guy, fun stages and air dashing, perfect. Then I hit some stage I couldn't beat (I believe it was the boat one), and I enjoyed myself a little less, though my enjoyment level was still positive. Then I realized it was repeating levels, Bizzaro! Hmm, enjoyment dropping. Then there was the stage with the crystals and the giant laser beam shooting boss. Enjoyment dropping. Still despite these set backs, I kept playing and, overall, had a pleasant-ish experience, but barely.

      One of the first things you notice in this game is that stuff is cool. The main character is cool, the stages are cool, the enemies are cool, air dashing is cool, you get the idea. All this coolness gets you really exited right out of the gate. Soon you learn that the environments are very destructable, cool. Heck, you'll dash and destruct your way though 4 or 5 stages before you know it. As you do so, you may notice how easy it is to jump in and kill stuff. The controls are quite simple, slash, hard slash, magic, dash and jump. Soon after you realize that, you'll realize you've done everything.

      Sure there are lots of weapons to unlock, but you use them all the same way. There are lots of stages, but about 8 of them are bizzaro repeats of older. Eventually, you can just close your eyes and hit slash a lot. You cangain levels to make the game easier but you probably won't want to because you've done enough slashing already. A much better idea is to play until it gets old, then put in another game, or, even better, another system.

What I liked: Very cool. Air dashes, snazzy looking combos, nice magic, destructable environments.

What I disliked: The "bizzaro" stages. Certain enemies, the boat stage. The repetitiveness. The repetitivenesss. The repe- what a crap joke. Sorry.

What to expect: Cool action with some variety. . . ok not much variety, and cool really means shallowly entertaining. Lots of demons. Tons of hacking, a little slashing. Some frustration. Good levels. Bad levels. Bizzaro levels.

What not to expect: Devil May Cry. I don't know why anyone would, but for some reason people hear "action" and expect it.

What sets it apart from the genre: Air dashes and good level design in the same game.

Ratings on:

Controls: 8 - The lock on could be frustrating and the camera had problems. Bizzaro problems.

Graphics: 9 - Wow, this game looks good. Especially the particle effects when you break stuff. Bizzaro stuff.

Sound: 6 - Not bad, though not great. Some of the voices are annoying and the music is just bizzaro. Bizzaro bizzaro. "None shall pass."

Style: 5 - Cool guy, cool moves, well executed. A bit repetitive though.

30 minutes: 8 - Yeah, buddy. Air dashing and breaking stuff what more could I want.

1st hour: 9 - Still haven't thought of anything else I wanted.

1st day: 7 - I want a new combo.

3rd day: 6 - I want a new level.

1st week: 5 - I want a new game.

#1 thing I hate about this game: None shall pass! Bizzaro, I love you! None shall pass!

      by Sundu