First Impressions: Reason #265 why Sega is better than you.
While the Xbox reception in Japan has been of the chilly variety, Japanese developer From Software has been one of the few from that territory to dip into Xbox development without reservations. Their first title, Murakumo, is a quirky, unusual mech-shooter game, a Mechassault-meets-Panzer Dragoon on-rails shooter, which made it to America by way of Ubi Soft. However, it’s their other big Xbox game that has had Xfans drooling uncontrollably – this game would be Otogi. Best described as Gunvalkyrie meets Onimusha, Otogi has received great word of mouth and strong reviews in its native Japan; but for a while it appeared that nobody in the US was planning on picking the game up for our enjoyment. Until Microsoft’s true Japanese ally, Sega, got involved. The Xbox-friendly publisher wasted little time snapping up the rights to this highly sought title, and Otogi: Myth of Demons is finally making its way stateside this summer. Finally, after waiting and anticipating this exciting-looking game, we’re only a few months away from seeing if all the fuss was worth it.
In Otogi, you’ll control Raikou, who is an otogi – or a ninja fairy (I know, this is quite a strange combination, but remember the origin of the game). Rakiou is summoned to naturally save the world, and kill of a wide array of demons who are out to dominate. This isn’t the only angle for Otogi though, as you’ll also be out to free other fairies who have been entrapped, either in the demons or in a structure of some sort. Appropriately, the more fairies you save the better, as it probably will affect endings or strength later in the game.
The gameplay focus in Otogi seems quite similar to Sega’s cult hit of last year, Gunvalkyrie. Like this Smilebit developed game, Raikou can fly all around the levels, blasting the crap out of things in mid-air and on ground, and everywhere in-between. Mix in the samurai-slashing theme with evil demons and the Onimusha resemblance kicks in, meeting up for a unique premise that will definitely be a game for skilled, hardcore players, as you’ll have numerous things to keep track of when playing through the levels.
To further add coolness to Otogi, the environment around the various levels is fully destructable, a la Red Faction. Many fairies that you’ll rescue through the game will be locked up in pillars and buildings, and as such Raikou will have to blow up as much as he can to find them, and possibly use the environment to his advantage when dealing with enemies, i.e. knocking a building down and crushing them. This is almost necessary, as the enemies can range from small to monstrous, creating epic battles with the biggest and the baddest in the Otogi universe. Like the aforementioned Faction, the surroundings in Otogi will play a vital role in finding the right way through an area and maximizing enjoyment.
Otogi’s lush visuals are sure to please Xbox fans, as the game takes full advantage of the Xbox hardware. So expect all the usual Xbox-specific graphical effects, creating a beautiful looking action game. Thanks to the fully destructible environments, this graphical charm only winds up for the better, as the damage you cause in the vast levels will create a unique battleground feel. As long as Otogi manages to maintain a solid frame rate with little slowdown, this could be on of the best looking games on the console.
