I remember playing Onimusha when I was in middle school. The first game was such an experience man. I was an avid RE fan as a child due to my father’s influence. So when I played this game over that summer it was foreign to me but familiar all in the same token. This was a great video, an awesome retrospective and a great trip down memory lane.
@Shin Shaman I disagree. DMC 2 was TRASH. And seeing as how Onimusha 3 came out later I would EXPECT it to be better than the FIRST DMC. BUT ALL of the Ninja Gaidens are a lil...unwelcoming. Most people probably give up by the 3rd stage.
I was thinking the same thing, like a nice new game+ mode or even an out of the games difficult mode ready for selection. It's the master quest version for warlords certainly
It seems like the RE games (yes I'm calling Onimusha RE), tends to have the least amount of effort put into them for Capcom remasters. Like REmake has a strange filter on the backgrounds and crushed blacks. And RE4, 5 and 6 on the switch are pretty bad. 4 having no gyro aiming. 5 and 6 having a pretty bad frame rate. 5 and 6 should either lower the resolution or lock the frame rate to 30
Feudal Japan, demons, amazing soundtrack, kickass weapons, okay you convinced me. I have seen this many times from other people and now, this is the nail in the coffin. First chance I get, I will try out Onimusha for myself! Thanks Jared.
If you like the Warlords game, try out Onimusha 3: Demon's Seige - Your Hero gets a badass dual sword weapon, and there's another Hero introduced that gets a sorta Light-Whip that's both a weapon and a sorta puzzle solving/mobility mechanic! :D (It's got a PC release, but that release kinda sucks, I would say just play the PS2 version via Emulation)
Honestly the story would be enough to warrant a playthrough, but combine that its a classic resident evil survival horror type game set in feudal japan and allows for upgradeable weapons that also act as keys rather than solving multiple fetch puzzles.
@@bogartwilley ive played onimusha 1 & 2 infinite times as a kid but never got the chance to play 3, why is the pc version not recommended? is there anything bad with it?
@@BlottaMcTablets Capcom isn't exactly known for giving two shits about exclusivity deals when breaking said deals benefits them. See RE4's ps2 port souring their relationship with Nintendo for years, a relationship so good that Capcom is still the only third party company to ever make an original mainline Zelda title (not counting remakes), which they've made three of. DMC was a Sony exclusive franchise until 3 SE got a PC port and the series went multi platform. Now the Ps2 era games are available on all platforms. REmake and RE0 are both on all platforms after years of being locked to the GameCube and Wii, which killed both commercially. CV was supposed to be Sega exclusive and then Sony got an improved port. Even Nemesis was supposed to be Sony exclusive iirc and it sure didn't stay that way. Considering their history of breaking such deals and the legal complications that needed to be adressed releasing Onimusha ports at all, there was no reason the Genma features couldn't have been included as an option. There was no reason it even had to be Warlords or Genma when it could've been both for a truly definitive release of Onimusha 1. Especially considering they sold it as a single game rather than a collection and it was the weakest game in the franchise mechanically (all 4 are equally fantastic in their own unique ways imo, with Warlords probably having the best level design due to being designed as an RE game but Warlords/Genma is undeniably the weakest entry mechanically and the shortest as well) they really didn't do themselves any favors porting the vanilla version of that single game. The 3/DoD style controls were a nice option though. On that note I do have to find it hilarious that I've never liked the controls in classic RE (more the way that factors into aiming when combined with the perspective but that's beside the point) but Samurai's Destiny is my favorite Onimusha game and is now the only game in the series that is locked to the traditional RE tank control style. They've never bothered me in Onimusha but it's still kinda funny to acknowledge when they put me off classic RE for so long and now my favorite Oni title is the only one to remain tank control only. Probably gonna stay that way too, as it would seem the series has been shelved again sadly.
@@zeroattentiongaming820 I was really moreso saying that they based the port off of the ps2 version, so no extra content. They used ps2 bones for lots of their ports to modern consoles. Take Code: Veronica for example. They just ported the ps2 version instead of doing the HD ps3 edition. I'm assuming it was easier for some reason?
I first played this on Steam right after I finished Sekiro. I found it very interesting how comparable the two games were even though they were made very far apart from each other and had different goals in mind for the feel of the game. I was pleasantly surprised how modern the combat felt in Onimusha. Capcom really should have done more with this series, especially with the recent popularity Samurai/Ninja games have received. Seems like a no-brainer but we all know Capcom makes very, VERY, strange business decisions.
The more I look at this game the more I see how much inspiration Sekirō took from this game, hell his guarding stance is pretty much just Samanosuke's ready stance. Loving these 2 games for having the coolest and cinematic fantastical Japanese sword combat.
I love this series of games I was always so confused at how un-known it is in general by gamers I dont think i've ever heard another person ever mention the onimusha series. I think every single one of the games was fantastic and I had a blast playing them.
YES an Avalanche Onimusha retrospective!! I just rewatched both RE and Dead space retrospectives and was wondering what were you up to for the next retrospective series.. as a massive onimusha fan I can only say GREAT CHOICE
@@AvalancheReviews looking forward to the next videos! Actually, I can't wait for you to reach 3, always had a blast with that one I think because of Jean Reno, back then that was such a crazy move by Capcom but I always felt it shaked things up gameplay wise :) Thanks for the hard work you put in doing these amazing videos!
This game in particular sticks out to me a lot, because it kept showing up in my childhood for as long as i can remember. There were times in my family where i can tell money was tight, so every so often we had a PS2 that we ended up selling, but then a year later we would get a new PS2, and everytime we had a PS2, this game for some reason was always one of our first games we got, and i don't really know why. So all of my PS2 memories revolve around this game by some cosmic coincidence.
This retrospective is absolutely awesome! I love the Onimusha series. I have all 4 games! Would love to see more like this! Much love from West Virginia!❤️👍
I LOVED this game as a teenager. I remember just experimenting with the game mechanics, even one shotting enemies with the basic katana using the timed evades and parries. Good times
One thing you missed is when you collect all 20 Flourites (collectible) and complete the game, you unlock an extra game mode called "Oni Spirits". Once you complete this game mode successfully, you unlock the "Ultimate Mode" for your main game. In this mode you have unlimited, all your weapons are maxed out when you receive them and you start the game with the "Bishamon Sword" in your inventory (the sword you meantioned at 12:00 mark). It is also the strongest weapon in the game. This was an amazing video and I hope to see you cover the the other three Onimusha games. Thank you.
YES! The Onimusha Retrospective is here! This is the ultimate gift Jared you have no idea. This series is so very underappreciated today. Makes me wanna give you my original Microsoft Xbox component cables lol.
Good call on covering Onimusha.. such an underated game, I replay the entire series every odd year, they are not even that long yet memorable, the best kind of game to be.
Darn, this channel is a treasure trove. Thanks for making me buy and experience forgotten games like Obscure and Eye of Isis, I'll be adding the remaster of this game to my list (I have no consoles, so PC it is)!
I adore Onimusha, and I'm so glad you're covering this series! And I'm glad it's on literally every modern platform, and for a mere $20. The Switch version in particular goes on sale for $7.99 fairly often, which is just a steal for a game this good. Go play Onimusha, folks!
@@Nergalsama01 had they done all 3 it probably would have sold better and they could have got away with making it more expensive but oh well still got a ps2
You don’t understand how happy I am you did a video on these games, In my opinion Onimusha 1,2, and 3 make up one of the best video game trilogies there is. I recently played the remastered version of Onimusha 1on my PS4 and loved it just like I did back when I was a teen.
It’s really great to see your retrospective video again. I really love watching your reviews of any game you’ve played. You really give me some recommendations to play these games you play. And I don’t know which one I should start.
You are the GOAT for going into a retrospective for Onimusha. I recently played through Warlords and Samurai's Destiny after having getting freemcboot and HDD setup for my PS2. Will be going through Demon Siege soon. Thanks for the hard work you put into these videos.
Side note on an old vid, wow that PS1 Onimusha build looked amazing. Reminds me of the Shenmue Saturn build, I watch those clips of it longingly from time to time 😂. Great video!!
Always liked these games better than DMC, much more. I miss this franchise. I was there day one and it blew all of us away with how fast the combat was. Fast and ferocious. I must have beat this game and did everything there is to do a half dozen times at least lol. As a teen we had limited funds and played games over and over, oh and then came the trading games amongst friends. Good times!
Very excited for Onimusha 3 and Dawn of Dreams retrospective. I remember one of the games has a difficulty that you can only kill the enemies by using crit attacks.
The last thing you said in the video, about liking the RE form, but not the combat, sums up things almost perfectly for me. Onimusha was such a joy to play, that after I beat the first game, went and played the rest of the trilogy (not counting the others that are in a different style). Only thing about Warlords is that while I think had a perfect length, the 3 and a half hours that I spent just surprised me.
Another quality retrospective from the man with a plan, to soon live in Japan! ...although I do have to wait for a certain somebody to get off work before I can hit play on this...
This is why I subscribe to your channel. Every game you cover is a game near and dear to my heart. I literally know 2 people who have played this game. Me and my 17 year old son.
This was a fantastic video! Genma Onimusha was the 1st game I streamed on Twitch, and the day the remaster came out, I got affiliate with that same stream, so it holds a special place in my heart. I didn't know that about the soundtrack for the remaster. The remasters weapon switch was quality of life improvement for gameplay's sake, but the one thing I wanted to see The Ogre Tower be in the remaster. Still, it didn't need to be in the remaster for me since it's a fantastic game. I look forward to the rest of the Onimusha games.😄
One of my favorite series, I’m currently replaying it again. It’s crazy that they wanted to make it on the N64DD but switch to ps1 at the end. I hope this series comes back one day.
The second game is my favorite too! I felt that it was a perfect expansion and improvement of the first game, because of not just the route system and additional characters, but even more variety in the weapons that you could use.
Finally, been waiting for Onimusha content. I'm not a survival horror fan, never got into Resident Evil but I thoroughly enjoyed this series mainly because I enjoy beat em ups and this series is one of the best in the genre for me personally. I think Onimusha Warlords might be my least favorite in the main series though since the combat was improved in later entries, I also absolutely detest that water puzzle too but I did enjoy the rest of it. I still think that it ages better than the first Devil May Cry personally. Samanosuke and Jared are the only two people in existence who reverse age
For those interested in the series to avoid confusion if you are going to play especially for Onimusha 3. Osric and Guildenstern aren't "genma" they are a the non-subverted oni clan that were the polar opposite to the named "Onimusha" (demon warrior) clan. Genma are the classification given to guildenstern's experiments. Jaid - Zombies, three eyes, etc... Technically this would apply to Marcellus as well even though he is much closer to being an Onimusha clansman and his DNA and powers more closely resemble them. I think this may have been a retcon introduced later but not sure. Edit: Apparently the documentation refers to the clan just as the "Akuma" or demon clan. So "Oni" demon vs "Akuma" demon clans.
I'm not going to lie when I finish watching your beautiful work I straight got to getting the game and I love this game soooooo much more then RE its crazy but man truly a perfect storm of a game as you put it nicely
I think there was an old PS2 game called Way of the Samurai that introduced me to the high risk high reward high skill one hit kill mechanic, and I was in LOVE. Just recently, I discovered what to me is probably the most beautiful game ever made, which has a similar mechanic or two, and with DLC equipment has that exact mechanic. Most satisfying thing ever, to this day, IF you pull it off in the chaos of multiple opponemts. If you like this kind of stuff, and have mever played Ghost of Tsushima....just stop what you're doing right now and go get it.
The first Onimusha is probably my favorite in the series. It had the best balance of Survival Horror and Action Hack n Slash gameplay in the series. On top of that had a SPECTACULAR stand alone story HEAVILY inspired by Yotoden. FUN FACT: 3:54 is the reason Samunosuke was attacked. He wasn’t just watching the battle. He was the one that knocked that arrow into Oda Nobunaga’s neck.
If you've got a PS4 or PC or Xbox there's a remaster. They originally said that if there was enough interest there would be a trilogy remaster and if that sold well they'd consider revisiting the series. And yet here we are a little more than 2 years later and still no Oni 2 and 3 at all or any word on the rest of the series being remastered.
I love resident evil. Especially the classic games. Never played Onimusha and had no idea it was RE inspired or played like the classics a bit. Def gotta try it out Thank you man
I'm glad you made a video about this game. I always felt like this was Capcom's most overlooked series. I can't comment on the others, but Onimusha 1-3 were badass games.
At long last, the Onimusha RETROSPECTIVE! This was one of my favorite game series ever. IMHO the crown jewel of the PS2. I am so happy about this. The good news Avalanche is that there will still be new Resident Evil content for you to look at in the coming months between RE:Verse, RE:Village DLC, the Netflix TV series, the Netflix animated series, and the new live-action movie.
I'd like to clarify something missed in this video. I can't speak on the OG release, but in the Greatest Hits and remaster of Warlords there is a way to unlock the Bishimon Sword. If you noticed, throughout the video he collected Flourite. There is about 30 hidden in the game. Collect them all in one playthrough and you unlock the mini game, Oni Spirits. This is a brutal mini game where you break soul filled items and fight through enemies to collect the souls to move on, all while your health is constantly draining. Fun but challenging, and the reward for beating it is Ultimate Mode. You get the Bishimon Sword, max health, max weapon levels, max orb levels, infinite healing items, infinite magic bar and max ammo for your ranged weapons.
I absolutely adore the Onimusha series, and now I see you have also done retrospectives on Max Payne, Resident Evil and Dead Space you have another subscriber.
Oo man I'm super stoked u did this retrospective. Another amazing video bro.i loved onimusha even as it got wierd with that actor in the 3rd one but it was great. I never played thee spinoff one I forgot the name but honestly the tank controls worked for swordplay and rpg like elements very well
I have been so curious about this series. I loved RE growing up and this was a series I never tried. Definitely gonna pick up this remaster. Great video!
I remember I randomly played this game at a friends house and immediately buying the first 2 games that next weekend. This is one of my favorite series and I can't wait for the rest of the retrospective to be dropped.
Oh thank god. When you talked about how easy Onimusha 1 was I started to feel like I was some incompetent idiot for having given up halfway through it way back when. But then it became clear that Genma Onimusha, which was the version I played, was considerably harder. I still have PTSD from those fucking dolls.
This is awesome! So glad Genma Onimusha is getting some love. I also was a massive fan of the original PS2 version. But after playing it so much and realizing how easy it was, I pretty much exclusively play Genma now. Still aggravated they didn't remaster Genma instead. Gameplay tip: you can combine level 1 charge attacks with normal attacks to make long combo strings. This makes it much easier to cut down enemies trying to get green souls. Can't wait to see the rest, especially part 3. Thank you!
Had no idea warlords was the first game. Grabbed it as a greatest hits title back in the day and it ended up being one of my all time favs. that and RE4
I bought all the Onimusha games for PS2 this year actually and have played Onimusha 1 and 2 so far (for the first time) and fell in love with the franchise. I'm a huge fan of the sengoku jidai period and I love the atmosphere, story and lore of the games. Maybe its because I'm old but the 2d backgrounds of the first two games still looks so stylized and amazing and it feels very unique. The gameplay is also brilliant and I don't mind that the games have fixed camera and are a bit short with smaller aereas to explore and revisit at all. Its refreshing with a game that doesen't overstay its welcome and drag out time with tons of filler content as too many AAA games does nowdays. Exploration is fun, but not at the expense of the pacing and story. Both Onimusha 1 and 2 are relatively short games but I was hooked from beginning to end, and I'm really looking forward to playing the third game:D
