A 3D fighting game that isn't like other 3D fighting games, Onimusha Blade Warriors (OBW) is another entry in the Onimusha series, only this time, the heroes of both games Samunsake and Jubei finally come together in order to answer some unresolved questions like: Who's sword is sharper?  Who's female sidekick kicks harder in your side and if a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does anyone care? 

With a host of combatants both good and evil, players are thrust into the space in time where Onimusha met Onimusha 2 and another small storyline is revealed.  As a rabid fan of the Onimusha games I am waiting with baited breath for the third installment in the series, so when I saw that my wait would be temporarily abated I contacted my editor and practically begged to get this title.  Well I forgot to thank her, because this game, while not on par with the others, is quite a nifty title.  Players familiar with the series will have no trouble picking up the controls.  Sadly the game doesn't make use of the analog stick, rather you control your direction with the D-pad.  The biggest addition to the controls is the introduction of a jump button.  The jump button is used both in aiding during combat and to jump to the different depths the game takes place in, let me explain.  You see, instead of a traditional 3D fighting game, players fight against others on different planes within the level.  For example, one level might have you fighting several bad guys in front of a building with said bad guys being on the ground in front of the building, the platform on the building and the building's roof.  Since the game is always seen from the side view, you jump up to the platform and roof in order to combat those enemies.  Of course, during the course of a battle, those same bad guys respawn and jump from level to level to come after you.  Did I mention that there are enemies with bows and rifles shooting at you from the highest spots on each level?  No?  Well there are and they don't make things very easy for you.

The game does use the same soul collecting ability in order to upgrade your character's statistics, very important as the game starts to get pretty tough towards the end.  Remember to upgrade your weapons and save between rounds when you get the chance otherwise you could find things going south in a hurry. 

Graphically, there is something to be desired at some points during the game.  Graphics look a little too faded and grainy at some points while the awesome CGI intro's are no where to be found.  Don't get me wrong, the graphics aren't horrible by any stretch, it's just compared to other Onimusha titles, OBW is the weakest looking of the three.  Something of note, the awesome element attacks that are prevalent in the first two titles are here, but they can be found in the form of icons that are to be picked up and used in order to see those awesome attacks.  Well since the game's view sometimes pulls back in order to see everything those visuals are diminished quite a bit.  But hey, what can I say, Capcom should be commended for trying something new with a tried and true franchise.

The game offers the usual bevy of choices to play, story mode, versus mode, you know the regular stuff, but the meat and potatoes is the story mode.  Each level involves hacking and slashing undead samurai, demons, boss characters, it's fun for the whole family, provided your family finds disembowelment fun.  But it's more then that, because sometimes the level requires you to kill "X" amount of bad guys in three minutes, or collect 10 souls in two or any other number of challenges that make for fun to be had by all.  Also, special "mini" events may pop up at times during the game.  And of course you can play and unlock all sorts of other characters in order to see all the game has to offer.

Gameplay: 8.1

A familiar control scheme that anyone who has played the previous entries, and anyone new to the game will be able to do things up right.  The only hitch is the level jumping that I discussed earlier, it's a bit tricky at first but after a while becomes second nature.

Graphics: 7.2

A little too muddy and murky at times, and the once impressive elemental attacks seem to have lost a bit of luster.  Still, the bad guys look bad and the mini cut scenes are done modestly.

Sound: 7.4

While Capcom will never win an award for voice acting, it is done with a straight forwardness that means business.  The clang of weapons clashing and the boom of lightning striking down is all swell but nothing we haven't all head before.

Difficulty: Medium

Half asleep, I managed to get through the first 10 levels before dying.  I could not however answer the underworld challenge as it was a bit too difficult for my character at that time.  The game starts getting real tough as it gets along, bring a fresh memory card, you'll need it.

Concept: 8.0

They re-imagined a unique series, and then re-imagined how a 3D fighting game can be done, not bad people, not bad.

Multiplayer: 8.3

Yeah, kicking your buddy's butt across feudal Japan on a Saturday night is a pretty decent way to spend an evening.  I would have loved to have seen this one go online, but maybe we're just not ready for an online fighting game.

Overall: 8.0

It's different in a good way.  The controls are decent, the game poses it's own unique challenges and the multiplayer is straight up fun.  The blood has been toned down so that a younger audience can enjoy the action.  I suspected that this would be a good game, and I love it when my hunches are correct, but even I was surprised at some of the cool stuff this game threw at me.