Onimusha: Warlords
Encyclopedia
Onimusha: Warlords, released in Japan
as , is the first action-adventure
video game of the Onimusha series, released first for the PlayStation 2
in 2001
. Later it went through many changes and was released as for the Xbox
in 2002. The game was also ported to PC Windows
as Onimusha: Warlords, although this version was only released in Asia and Russia.
Samanosuke Akechi (modeled after actor Takeshi Kaneshiro
, also credited as the game's "guest creator"), determined to save Princess Yuki of the Saitō clan
and defeat the warlord Oda Nobunaga
, resurrected after signing a pact with yōkai
demons. The game also features Kaede, a female ninja
who provides Samanosuke with help. They both travel throughout all of Inabayama Castle
, where they find special weapons and solve various puzzles as they search for clues of Princess Yuki's whereabouts.
in the game is similar to that of Capcom's Resident Evil series, but with an emphasis on close-range combat.
The player begins the game with a standard katana
sword, and can also obtain long range weapons with limited supply. However, as the player progresses, Samanosuke can gain three elemental weapons: Raizan, Enyuu and Shippuu, each with an elemental magic attack. As enemies are defeated, they release different coloured soul
s that are absorbed by using the demon gauntlet on Samanosuke's wrist: red souls act as a sort of "currency" which can be used for upgrading weaponry, yellow souls recover health, while blue souls recover magic power which is used to perform each weapon's elemental abilities.
Some sections are played with Samanosuke's assistant, Kaede, who has her own array of weapons and abilities, but is unable to absorb souls.
between the forces of Imagawa Yoshimoto
and Nobunaga of the Oda clan
, with Samanosuke participating in fighting on Yoshimoto's side. As Oda clan's victory seems imminent, Nobunaga laughs until a stray arrow pierces his throat. A year later Samanosuke receives a letter from his cousin Princess Yuki of the Saitō clan. In the letter, Yuki says that maids and servants have been disappearing and she suspects monsters to be the culprit and also request that Samanosuke saves her from the castle before she ends up as one of the victims. Samanosuke and Kaede arrive at the castle but they're too late to rescue Yuki. The last scene shows an army of Oda soldiers marching on with a pale but living Nobunaga leading them on a horse.
The game begins as Samanosuke and Kaede split up and head to the keep. Samanosuke soon finds some Genma creatures with an unconscious Princess Yuki. However, as the heroes have a brief reunion, a gigantic genma Osric emerges from the ground. Samanosuke attempts to defend Yuki, but is sent flying against the wall. As he lies unconscious, he is visited by the twelve oni, who give Samanosuke the power to destroy the genma and absorb their souls with a mystical gauntlet.
Samanosuke wakes up and enters a cave, where he finds the Raizan. In a dry moat, he finds and kills Osric. Samanosuke then finds a laboratory and a genma scientist Guildenstern operating on a human. Guildenstern reveals that he has resurrected Nobunaga who then made a pact swearing his allegiance to the demons. Guildenstern escapes and sends a creature called Reynaldo, but Samanosuke defeats it and obtains the Enryuu in the laboratory. He then proceeds to a keep where he goes inside to find the entire place a derelict and encounters a man named Tokichiro Kinoshita wrestling with a young boy. After the boy escapes, Tokichiro states that he is a servant of the Oda clan and wonders if Samanosuke would be interested in joining, but Samanosuke refuses, saying that he controls his own life. As he moves on, Samanosuke sees Kaede chasing the boy and learns the boy's name is Yumemaru
(Kaede later learns that he is an orphan and Yuki has raised him like a brother). As Samanosuke nears the top of the keep, he sees Yumemaru in the hands of enemy, however before he can give chase, Tokichiro confronts him once again with an offer to join the Oda clan. He also reveals that the dark ceremony involving a human sacrifice
will take place soon and Princess Yuki's skull would be filled with her blood; Fortinbras, the king of demons, will bless it and Nobunaga will drink it in order to become powerful and destroy the Saitō clan. Samanosuke defeats a strong genma Marcellus on the roof and receives the Shippuu. With this, he is able to rescue Yumemaru and brings him to a secure room in the keep. Samanosuke then tells Kaede to stay with Yumemaru and the woman while he looks for Yuki in underground. While he searches, he finds himself once again in the presence of Tokichiro; with one last request to join the Oda clan, Tokichiro activates a trap device and Samanosuke is pulled down into the earth. Meanwhile, Kaede is rendered unconscious by a genma which looks like Samanosuke and Yumemaru is kidnapped by a woman. When she awakens, Kaede is led to the prison and finds Yuki locked in a cell. However Guildenstern arrives from the darkness of the cell and leaves Kaede to die at the hand of a powerful genma; she escapes once it is dead.
Samanosuke awakens and kills his counterpart in the underground passage. He makes his way back into the keep and arrives in the room where the woman and Yumemaru are. The woman reveals her true form, which is that of an insect-like genma Hecuba, and erects a door to the demon world which she flies into with Yumemaru. When Samanosuke faces her, she reveals that Yumemaru is to be killed in front of Yuki which will heighten her sorrow, thus granting Nobunaga even more power during the sacrifice. Samanosuke and Kaede eventually vanquish the insect genma. As Samanosuke makes his way through the demon door, he encounters Guildenstern who summons a more powerful version of Marcellus. After defeating him, Samanosuke makes his way into Fortinbras' throne room, where he finds Yuki and Yumemaru trapped on the upper level. Before he can free them, Fortinbras enters the room: after a brief conversation, the two clash. It would seem that Samanosuke killed Fortinbras and he frees Yumemaru and Yuki as Kaede enters the room. As they exit, the place comes crashing down and Fortinbras finds the strength to grab Samanosuke. Kaede, Yumemaru, and Yuki escapes as the strain of Fortinbras's grip causes Samanosuke to spit up blood. Some of the blood falls on the gauntlet and Samanosuke becomes an onimusha (oni warrior) and finishes-off Fortinbras by stabbing him in his central eye. As Samanosuke transforms back into a human, he sees Nobunaga's reflection in Fortinbras' eye and the two stare at each other as the room continues to collapse.
During the ending sequence Yuki and Yumemaru follow Samanosuke’s advice and travel the world. After the end credits, Samanosuke is seen alive, viewing Inabayama Castle from afar, and still possessing the gauntlet.
(Akechi is the surname), the man historically credited to have actually killed Oda Nobunaga over 20 years after the events of the game. Samanosuke is rumored to be an alternative name for one of Mitsuhide's actual relatives who may have been born in 1537 and went by the name Akechi Hidemitsu
(which is used by Samanosuke in Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
). Some speculate that he was a nephew or cousin to Mitsuhide, others say brother-in-law, but not much is said about Samanosuke (Hidemitsu), just that he helped Mitsuhide in the attack on Nobunaga, and lived somewhat longer than Mitsuhide. His death is also a mystery: it was either seppuku
or death in battle against Hideyoshi
's troops.
Tokichiro Kinoshita was one of the names used by the man who would later be called Toyotomi Hideyoshi
, the Oda clan general who defeated Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki
shortly after the latter betrayed and killed Nobunaga.
In the game, Nobunaga is killed at Okehazama, to be later resurrected by demons. Historically, he was actually mistakenly reported to have been felled by an arrow during this battle.
.
Samanosuke's weapons:
, Kaede originally sent by an Iga ninja
clan to assassinate Samanosuke for reasons unknown. Instead, she develops absolute trust in him and deep feelings of love (as shown in Onimusha Blade Warriors) for the samurai and joins him as his confidant. Following the events of the game, she spends 10 years looking for Samanosuke until she finally finds him (as seen in Onimusha Blade Warriors
). After the reunion, they return to assist his uncle, Akechi Mitsuhide, in absolute secrecy. Samanosuke and Kaede then travel all over Japan, slaying genma wherever they may find them. Kaede was killed by the genma Gargant shortly before the events of Onimusha 3: Demon Siege; in the opening of this game Samanosuke avenges her death, and destroying Gargant and his army.
Kaede's weapons:
Several of the enemies' names (Guildenstern, Reynaldo, Osric, Marcellus, Hecuba, and Fortinbras) come from William Shakespeare
's Hamlet
. Another historical figure mentioned in the game is Saitō Yoshitatsu
.
, but since the release of the PlayStation 2 (the game was about 50% done at that time) it was moved to the PS2. The PSX version was scrapped and never released.
The game's orchestral music was created by a deaf composer Mamoru Samuragochi and performed by New Japan Philharmonic
. As opposed to the earlier games in the Resident Evil series, character movements were created using the motion capture
technique. Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami
is credited as an adviser to the game's production team.
audio, new explorable areas, a new boss, new costumes and body armor, changes in enemy placements, and a three-tier charge attack to each weapon.
Additionally, the addition of green souls adds a new dimension to the game. When five green souls are in the player's possession, the player can activate temporary invulnerability with a slow health recharge. Players frequently have to enter tug-of-war scenarios with the enemies over the possession of green souls; if a green souls is absorbed by a demon, the demon's toughness dramatically increases and gains new attacks but upon death the amount of souls gained increases.
in just under a month in the region, quickly becoming the top-selling PlayStation 2 game ever at the time of its release. It also sold at least 400,000 copies in North America, earning it Sony Greatest Hits status.
The game has received positive reviews, earning a "Great" 8.4 from GameSpot
, 8.5/10 from EGM
, 8.9/10 from IGN
, and 5/5 from GamePro
. Critics highly praised graphics, sound and gameplay, but complained about the short length of the game. As of 2010, the game has a high GameRankings average score of 84% for the PS2 version and 81% for the Xbox port.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as , is the first action-adventure
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
video game of the Onimusha series, released first for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
in 2001
2001 in video gaming
-Events:* Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts John Carmack of id Software to the AIAS Hall of Fame...
. Later it went through many changes and was released as for the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
in 2002. The game was also ported to PC Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
as Onimusha: Warlords, although this version was only released in Asia and Russia.
Story
The game features samuraiSamurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
Samanosuke Akechi (modeled after actor Takeshi Kaneshiro
Takeshi Kaneshiro
Takeshi Kaneshiro , born October 11, 1973, is a Taiwan-born Japanese actor and singer.-Name:...
, also credited as the game's "guest creator"), determined to save Princess Yuki of the Saitō clan
Saito clan
The was a Japanese clan in Mino Province during the Sengoku period in the 16th century. According to records, the Saitō clan descended from the Fujiwara clan...
and defeat the warlord Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
, resurrected after signing a pact with yōkai
Yōkai
are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. The word yōkai is made up of the kanji for "otherworldly" and "weird". Yōkai range eclectically from the malevolent to the mischievous, or occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them...
demons. The game also features Kaede, a female ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
who provides Samanosuke with help. They both travel throughout all of Inabayama Castle
Gifu Castle
is a castle located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Along with Mount Kinka and the Nagara River, it is one of the main symbols of the city.-History:Gifu Castle was first built by the Nikaidō clan between 1201 and 1204 during the Kamakura Period....
, where they find special weapons and solve various puzzles as they search for clues of Princess Yuki's whereabouts.
Gameplay
GameplayGameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
in the game is similar to that of Capcom's Resident Evil series, but with an emphasis on close-range combat.
The player begins the game with a standard katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
sword, and can also obtain long range weapons with limited supply. However, as the player progresses, Samanosuke can gain three elemental weapons: Raizan, Enyuu and Shippuu, each with an elemental magic attack. As enemies are defeated, they release different coloured soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
s that are absorbed by using the demon gauntlet on Samanosuke's wrist: red souls act as a sort of "currency" which can be used for upgrading weaponry, yellow souls recover health, while blue souls recover magic power which is used to perform each weapon's elemental abilities.
Some sections are played with Samanosuke's assistant, Kaede, who has her own array of weapons and abilities, but is unable to absorb souls.
Plot
The story begins in 1560 with a cinematic sequence set during a Battle of OkehazamaBattle of Okehazama
The took place in June 1560. In this battle, Oda Nobunaga defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto and established himself as one of the front-running warlords in the Sengoku period.-Background:...
between the forces of Imagawa Yoshimoto
Imagawa Yoshimoto
was one of the leading daimyo in the Sengoku period Japan. Based in Suruga Province, he was one of the three daimyo that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He was one of the dominant daimyo in Japan for a time, until his death in 1560....
and Nobunaga of the Oda clan
Oda clan
The was a family of Japanese daimyo who were to become an important political force in the unification of Japan in the mid-16th century. Though they had the climax of their fame under Oda Nobunaga and fell from the spotlight soon after, several branches of the family would continue on as daimyo...
, with Samanosuke participating in fighting on Yoshimoto's side. As Oda clan's victory seems imminent, Nobunaga laughs until a stray arrow pierces his throat. A year later Samanosuke receives a letter from his cousin Princess Yuki of the Saitō clan. In the letter, Yuki says that maids and servants have been disappearing and she suspects monsters to be the culprit and also request that Samanosuke saves her from the castle before she ends up as one of the victims. Samanosuke and Kaede arrive at the castle but they're too late to rescue Yuki. The last scene shows an army of Oda soldiers marching on with a pale but living Nobunaga leading them on a horse.
The game begins as Samanosuke and Kaede split up and head to the keep. Samanosuke soon finds some Genma creatures with an unconscious Princess Yuki. However, as the heroes have a brief reunion, a gigantic genma Osric emerges from the ground. Samanosuke attempts to defend Yuki, but is sent flying against the wall. As he lies unconscious, he is visited by the twelve oni, who give Samanosuke the power to destroy the genma and absorb their souls with a mystical gauntlet.
Samanosuke wakes up and enters a cave, where he finds the Raizan. In a dry moat, he finds and kills Osric. Samanosuke then finds a laboratory and a genma scientist Guildenstern operating on a human. Guildenstern reveals that he has resurrected Nobunaga who then made a pact swearing his allegiance to the demons. Guildenstern escapes and sends a creature called Reynaldo, but Samanosuke defeats it and obtains the Enryuu in the laboratory. He then proceeds to a keep where he goes inside to find the entire place a derelict and encounters a man named Tokichiro Kinoshita wrestling with a young boy. After the boy escapes, Tokichiro states that he is a servant of the Oda clan and wonders if Samanosuke would be interested in joining, but Samanosuke refuses, saying that he controls his own life. As he moves on, Samanosuke sees Kaede chasing the boy and learns the boy's name is Yumemaru
Maeda Toshimasu
, better known as ' or Keijirō , was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku Period through early Edo Period. Toshimasu was born to the Takigawa Clan of Owari, originally the son of Takigawa Kazumasu. He was adopted by Maeda Toshihisa, the older brother of Maeda Toshiie. Toshimasu served under Oda...
(Kaede later learns that he is an orphan and Yuki has raised him like a brother). As Samanosuke nears the top of the keep, he sees Yumemaru in the hands of enemy, however before he can give chase, Tokichiro confronts him once again with an offer to join the Oda clan. He also reveals that the dark ceremony involving a human sacrifice
Human sacrifice
Human sacrifice is the act of killing one or more human beings as part of a religious ritual . Its typology closely parallels the various practices of ritual slaughter of animals and of religious sacrifice in general. Human sacrifice has been practised in various cultures throughout history...
will take place soon and Princess Yuki's skull would be filled with her blood; Fortinbras, the king of demons, will bless it and Nobunaga will drink it in order to become powerful and destroy the Saitō clan. Samanosuke defeats a strong genma Marcellus on the roof and receives the Shippuu. With this, he is able to rescue Yumemaru and brings him to a secure room in the keep. Samanosuke then tells Kaede to stay with Yumemaru and the woman while he looks for Yuki in underground. While he searches, he finds himself once again in the presence of Tokichiro; with one last request to join the Oda clan, Tokichiro activates a trap device and Samanosuke is pulled down into the earth. Meanwhile, Kaede is rendered unconscious by a genma which looks like Samanosuke and Yumemaru is kidnapped by a woman. When she awakens, Kaede is led to the prison and finds Yuki locked in a cell. However Guildenstern arrives from the darkness of the cell and leaves Kaede to die at the hand of a powerful genma; she escapes once it is dead.
Samanosuke awakens and kills his counterpart in the underground passage. He makes his way back into the keep and arrives in the room where the woman and Yumemaru are. The woman reveals her true form, which is that of an insect-like genma Hecuba, and erects a door to the demon world which she flies into with Yumemaru. When Samanosuke faces her, she reveals that Yumemaru is to be killed in front of Yuki which will heighten her sorrow, thus granting Nobunaga even more power during the sacrifice. Samanosuke and Kaede eventually vanquish the insect genma. As Samanosuke makes his way through the demon door, he encounters Guildenstern who summons a more powerful version of Marcellus. After defeating him, Samanosuke makes his way into Fortinbras' throne room, where he finds Yuki and Yumemaru trapped on the upper level. Before he can free them, Fortinbras enters the room: after a brief conversation, the two clash. It would seem that Samanosuke killed Fortinbras and he frees Yumemaru and Yuki as Kaede enters the room. As they exit, the place comes crashing down and Fortinbras finds the strength to grab Samanosuke. Kaede, Yumemaru, and Yuki escapes as the strain of Fortinbras's grip causes Samanosuke to spit up blood. Some of the blood falls on the gauntlet and Samanosuke becomes an onimusha (oni warrior) and finishes-off Fortinbras by stabbing him in his central eye. As Samanosuke transforms back into a human, he sees Nobunaga's reflection in Fortinbras' eye and the two stare at each other as the room continues to collapse.
During the ending sequence Yuki and Yumemaru follow Samanosuke’s advice and travel the world. After the end credits, Samanosuke is seen alive, viewing Inabayama Castle from afar, and still possessing the gauntlet.
Historical background
Samanosuke is the nephew of Akechi MitsuhideAkechi Mitsuhide
, nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...
(Akechi is the surname), the man historically credited to have actually killed Oda Nobunaga over 20 years after the events of the game. Samanosuke is rumored to be an alternative name for one of Mitsuhide's actual relatives who may have been born in 1537 and went by the name Akechi Hidemitsu
Akechi Hidemitsu
was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. A senior retainer of Oda Nobunaga's vassal Akechi Mitsuhide, he served Mitsuhide until the latter's death in 1582 at the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.-Early Life and Family:...
(which is used by Samanosuke in Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
Onimusha 3: Demon Siege, released in Japan and Europe as , is an action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom. It is the third game of the Onimusha series and was released for the PlayStation 2 on April 27, 2004. It was later ported to Windows on December 8, 2005.-Plot:The game opens...
). Some speculate that he was a nephew or cousin to Mitsuhide, others say brother-in-law, but not much is said about Samanosuke (Hidemitsu), just that he helped Mitsuhide in the attack on Nobunaga, and lived somewhat longer than Mitsuhide. His death is also a mystery: it was either seppuku
Seppuku
is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai. Part of the samurai bushido honor code, seppuku was either used voluntarily by samurai to die with honor rather than fall into the hands of their enemies , or as a form of capital punishment...
or death in battle against Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
's troops.
Tokichiro Kinoshita was one of the names used by the man who would later be called Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
, the Oda clan general who defeated Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki
Battle of Yamazaki
The was fought in 1582 in Yamazaki, Japan, located in current day Kyoto Prefecture. This battle is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Mt. Tennō ....
shortly after the latter betrayed and killed Nobunaga.
In the game, Nobunaga is killed at Okehazama, to be later resurrected by demons. Historically, he was actually mistakenly reported to have been felled by an arrow during this battle.
Samanosuke Akechi
A master swordsman who travels across Japan seeking his rival. Often perceived as a passionless soldier because of his quiet ways, Samanosuke is actually a hot-blooded warrior with a noble sense of justice. In Onimusha 3: Demon Siege, where he is also one of the two main characters, his full name is revealed as Hidemitsu Samanosuke AkechiAkechi Hidemitsu
was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. A senior retainer of Oda Nobunaga's vassal Akechi Mitsuhide, he served Mitsuhide until the latter's death in 1582 at the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.-Early Life and Family:...
.
Samanosuke's weapons:
- ArquebusArquebusThe arquebus , or "hook tube", is an early muzzle-loaded firearm used in the 15th to 17th centuries. The word was originally modeled on the German hakenbüchse; this produced haquebute...
is a primitive firearm which is also known as "hook gun". is the ultimate sword bearing the name of the God of War, obtained by unlocking a door beyond the Evil Gate using the Bishamon Ocarina. Possesses unlimited magical power and high destructive capabilities. - BowBow (weapon)The bow and arrow is a projectile weapon system that predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.-Description:A bow is a flexible arc that shoots aerodynamic projectiles by means of elastic energy. Essentially, the bow is a form of spring powered by a string or cord...
is an ancient weapon that shoots arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow. - Enryuu (炎龍剣, lit. Flame Dragon Sword) is a fireFireFire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
-elemental broadswordBroadswordBroadsword may refer to:*Broadsword , a military sword used by heavy cavalry during the 17th to early 19th centuriesIn more modern times, it has also been used to refer to:...
that is coupled with the Fire Orb, Kōen (紅炎). - Katana is a type of Japanese longsword traditionally used by the samurai.
- Raizan (雷斬刀, lit. Thunder Slash Blade) is a lightningLightningLightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
-elemental katana that is coupled with the Thunder Orb, Shiden (紫電). - Shippuu (疾風丸, lit. Gale Blade) is a windWindWind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. In outer space, solar wind is the movement of gases or charged particles from the sun through space, while planetary wind is the outgassing of light chemical elements from a planet's atmosphere into space...
-elemental naginataNaginataThe naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...
that is coupled with the Wind Orb, Arashi (白風).
Kaede
An expert kunoichiKunoichi
is the term for a female ninja or practitioner of ninjutsu .-Etymology:The term is thought to derive from the names of characters that resemble the three strokes in the kanji character for ; said in the order they are written: ku - no - ichi...
, Kaede originally sent by an Iga ninja
Iga-ryu
Iga-ryū 伊賀流 is a historical school of ninjutsu. It became one of the two most well-known ninja schools in Japan, along with the Kōga-ryū. The Iga-ryū originated in the Iga Province in the area around the towns of Iga and Ueno...
clan to assassinate Samanosuke for reasons unknown. Instead, she develops absolute trust in him and deep feelings of love (as shown in Onimusha Blade Warriors) for the samurai and joins him as his confidant. Following the events of the game, she spends 10 years looking for Samanosuke until she finally finds him (as seen in Onimusha Blade Warriors
Onimusha Blade Warriors
Onimusha Blade Warriors, released in Japan as , is a multi-player game from the Onimusha series. Similar to Super Smash Bros., Blade Warriors is a simple 2D fighter game featuring many of the characters of the Onimusha franchise....
). After the reunion, they return to assist his uncle, Akechi Mitsuhide, in absolute secrecy. Samanosuke and Kaede then travel all over Japan, slaying genma wherever they may find them. Kaede was killed by the genma Gargant shortly before the events of Onimusha 3: Demon Siege; in the opening of this game Samanosuke avenges her death, and destroying Gargant and his army.
Kaede's weapons:
- KnifeTantoA is one of the traditional Japanese swords that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the years to become more ornate...
is a sharp-edged (single or double edged) instrument consisting of a thin blade. - KunaiKunaiA is a Japanese tool possibly derived from the masonry trowel. Two variations are the and the . It is a good example of a very basic tool which, in the hands of a martial arts expert, could be used as a multi-functional weapon...
are small throwing tools for distance attacking. - Sacred Knife is the ultimate knife available to Kaede. This glowing red knife was blessed by a high oni monk in order to dispel demons.
Other characters
- : Yuki is the sister of YoshitatsuSaito Yoshitatsuwas a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period. He was the second generation lord of the Saitō clan.-Early life:Yoshiatsu was born in Mino Province in 1527, the eldest son of Saitō Dōsan. Some theorize that Yoshitatsu was in fact the son of Toki Yorinari, the former ruler of Mino...
of the Saitō clan, the master of Inabayama Castle and Samanosuke's cousin. She became aware of strange events in the castle and sends an SOS to Samanosuke. But before he arrives, she is mysteriously kidnapped. - : An enigmatic orphan discovered by Samanosuke while looking for Yuki in the castle.
- : An exceptional warlord who aspires to unify Japan. With the victory against Imagawa at Okehazama, he rides a tidal wave of success. Nobunaga's victory is short-lived when he is stuck in the throat by an arrow. Though thought dead, he is revived by the genma lord Fortinbras to serve as his general.
- : One of Nobunaga's high-ranking generals, Kinoshita has the warlord's complete trust. Though he has sworn absolute loyalty to Nobunaga, the only thing Kinoshita truly cares about is his own advancement in the ranks of power.
- : A genma scientist who creates many of the Genma's arsenal.
- Marcellus: Originally an oni, Marcellus was converted into a genma through Guildenstern's experimentation. This engineered demon, created from materials fetched from the Cave of Treachery, is Guildenstern's pride and joy.
- : The first boss.
- : A giant wasp-woman genma.
- : The genma lord responsible for the incident at Inabayama Castle and the resurrection of Nobunaga through Guildenstern.
Several of the enemies' names (Guildenstern, Reynaldo, Osric, Marcellus, Hecuba, and Fortinbras) come from William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
. Another historical figure mentioned in the game is Saitō Yoshitatsu
Saito Yoshitatsu
was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period. He was the second generation lord of the Saitō clan.-Early life:Yoshiatsu was born in Mino Province in 1527, the eldest son of Saitō Dōsan. Some theorize that Yoshitatsu was in fact the son of Toki Yorinari, the former ruler of Mino...
.
Cast
| Character | Seiyū Seiyu Voice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and... | English voice actor |
|---|---|---|
| Akechi Samanosuke | Takeshi Kaneshiro Takeshi Kaneshiro Takeshi Kaneshiro , born October 11, 1973, is a Taiwan-born Japanese actor and singer.-Name:... |
Tig Fong |
| Kaede | Nao Takamori Nao Takamori is a female Japanese voice actor from Chiba Prefecture affiliated with Mausu Promotion.-Television animation:*Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution *Bakugan Battle Brawlers *Banner of the Stars... |
Ayumi Iizuka |
| Yumemaru | Makoto Tsumura Makoto Tsumura is a Japanese voice actress from Hokkaidō formerly affiliated with Mausu Promotion.-Television animation:*Astro Boy *Dokkiri Doctor *Idaten Jump *Inukami! *Ghost Stories... |
Austin Di Iulio |
| Princess Yuki | Akemi Okamura Akemi Okamura is a Japanese voice actress and narrator from Tokyo who works for Mausu Promotion. She has had at least one song appear on the NHK program Minna no Uta. Okamura made her debut as Fio Piccolo in the 1992 film Porco Rosso.-Television Animation:... |
Hiromi Okiyama |
| Nobunaga Oda | Akio Ōtsuka | Maurice DeMichael Rogers |
| Guildenstern | Tamio Ōki Tamio Oki is a Japanese voice actor and narrator from Tokyo. He is currently attached to Mausu Promotion.-Television animation:*Appleseed *Astro Boy *Cat's Eye *El-Hazard is a Japanese voice actor and narrator from Tokyo. He is currently attached to Mausu Promotion.-Television animation:*Appleseed... |
Neil Ross Neil Ross Theodoric Neilson "Neil" Ross is an English voice actor and announcer, born in London, England and now resident and working in Los Angeles, in the United States. He has provided voices for in many American cartoons, particularly those based on Hasbro products and Marvel Comics, and numerous... |
| Fortinbras | Akio Ōtsuka | Tony Daniels Tony Daniels -Voice Acting Roles:-References:*... |
| Tokichiro Kinoshita | Tōru Ōkawa | Robert Lee Robert Lee Robert Lee may refer to:* Robert Lee, 4th Earl of Lichfield , British peer and politician* Robert Lee , Regius Professor of Midwifery, University of Glasgow* Robert E... |
| Osric | Naomi Kusumi Naomi Kusumi is a Japanese seiyū from Fukuoka Prefecture. He was formerly attached to the Seinenza Theater Company; as of 1999, he is attached to Mausu Promotion... |
Tony Daniels |
| Nui, Hecuba | Kaho Kōda | Mung-Ling Tsui |
| Narrator | Ichirô Nagai Ichiro Nagai is a male seiyū from Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture. He was formerly represented by Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society, but is now represented by Aoni Production.-Television animation:*Akuma-kun *Bikkuriman... |
Mark Owen Mark Owen Mark Anthony Patrick Owen , is an English singer-songwriter. He is a member of pop band Take That. The band were hugely successful during the 1990s and have enjoyed even more success since their reunion in 2005... |
Development
Onimusha was originally going to be for the PlayStationPlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, but since the release of the PlayStation 2 (the game was about 50% done at that time) it was moved to the PS2. The PSX version was scrapped and never released.
The game's orchestral music was created by a deaf composer Mamoru Samuragochi and performed by New Japan Philharmonic
New Japan Philharmonic
The is a symphony orchestra based in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1972 with Seiji Ozawa as honorary conductor laureate. The Philharmonic's primary concert venue is the Sumida Triphony Hall. Since 2003, its music director is Christian Arming....
. As opposed to the earlier games in the Resident Evil series, character movements were created using the motion capture
Motion capture
Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
technique. Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami
Shinji Mikami
is a Japanese video game designer best known for creating the seminal survival horror series Resident Evil. He also contributed to some of Capcom's most popular post-32-bit era franchises, including Viewtiful Joe, Devil May Cry, and Ace Attorney, where he served as an executive producer...
is credited as an adviser to the game's production team.
Genma Onimusha
Onimusha: Warlords was ported to the Xbox in 2002 under the title Genma Onimusha. The Xbox version contains many updates to the game including enhanced graphics, new 5.1 Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
Dolby Digital is the name for audio compression technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories. It was originally called Dolby Stereo Digital until 1994. Except for Dolby TrueHD, the audio compression is lossy. The first use of Dolby Digital was to provide digital sound in cinemas from 35mm film prints...
audio, new explorable areas, a new boss, new costumes and body armor, changes in enemy placements, and a three-tier charge attack to each weapon.
Additionally, the addition of green souls adds a new dimension to the game. When five green souls are in the player's possession, the player can activate temporary invulnerability with a slow health recharge. Players frequently have to enter tug-of-war scenarios with the enemies over the possession of green souls; if a green souls is absorbed by a demon, the demon's toughness dramatically increases and gains new attacks but upon death the amount of souls gained increases.
Reception
Onimusha: Warlords was a commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide, with 1.4 million copies sold in Japan alone. The game went PlatinumPlatinum range
The Platinum Range is a Sony PlayStation budget range in the PAL regions, notably Europe , Australia, New Zealand, India, and Africa...
in just under a month in the region, quickly becoming the top-selling PlayStation 2 game ever at the time of its release. It also sold at least 400,000 copies in North America, earning it Sony Greatest Hits status.
The game has received positive reviews, earning a "Great" 8.4 from GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
, 8.5/10 from EGM
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
, 8.9/10 from IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, and 5/5 from GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
. Critics highly praised graphics, sound and gameplay, but complained about the short length of the game. As of 2010, the game has a high GameRankings average score of 84% for the PS2 version and 81% for the Xbox port.
External links
- Onimusha: Warlords and Genma Onimusha at GameFAQsGameFAQsGameFAQs is a website that hosts FAQs and walkthroughs for video games. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and was bought by CNET Networks in May 2003. It is currently owned by CBS Interactive. The site has a database of video game information, cheat codes, reviews, game saves,...
- Onimusha at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Onimusha: Warlords - Capcom Database Wiki