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Wii
Oboro Muramasa
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New Import, In Stock |
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NCS
Game Synopsis
«©NCSX»
The 2D platformer is dead. Long live the 2D
platformer. Marvelous eschews the allure of 3D and
does 2D proud with an action game that's packed with
lush hand drawn visuals and fast-paced swordplay. A
dainty kunoichi heroine dubbed Momohime and a dashing
ninja hero
named Kisuke star in this 2D side scrolling hack 'n
slasher which takes place in olde Japan. Not
post-war Japan but way further back when weapons
called "Demon Blades" were actually bandied about.
Enemy underlings and magnificent end-level bosses
such as a club-wielding demon, a giant samurai, and
a massive millipede that stretches across multiple
screens serve as the opposition.
Upon starting a game, players may choose either Momohime or Kisuke
from a simple selection screen that lists their
names but not their portraits. We chose Momohime
(left selection) because kunoichi are much cooler
than ninja. Kunoichi are also more presentable at
cocktail parties. At the outset, a simple tutorial
teaches players the basic moves where the "A" button
attacks and pushing up on the analog thumbstick
makes the hero jump. An impressive assortment of
moves is available including a rolling slash and a
dashing aerial attack where the kunoichi's entire
body serves as the weapon. When performing the
aerial dash, a total of three sequential attacks may
be made before the game engine resets and calls time
out.
JAN Code:
4535506300928
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NCS
Game Notes
» The intro to the game shows a cloudy mountainside dotted by trees.
The scene gives way
to a kunoichi named Momohime who unsheaths her sword followed by a scene of two swords
which are dug deep
into the earth and the game logo pops up. If you decide to continue watching,
there's some more footage featuring the ninja boy Kisuke, sliding sword scenes,
and the visage of an old dude which gives way to the setting sun.
» The proper title screen appears afterwards where a big koi swims across the
screen accompanied by falling leaves that spin downwards onto the water's
surface.
» Choose your hero and the game starts with a short tutorial that teaches the
controls which utilize both the Nunchuk and the Wii Remote. You'll learn how to
jump, double jump, duck, roll, and slash. By pressing up or down on the analog
stick along with pressing the "A" button, special rolling attacks may be meted
out. There's also a sweet flying dash-attack move which is activated by pressing
and holding the "A" button and then pushing the analog stick left or right.
Pushing and then holding the "A" button by itself activates the hero's
guard/block move. Projectiles hurled by enemies may also be reflected back at
them by slashing the projectile with a perfectly timed sword stroke.
» After the tutorial is over, the game will ask if you wish to repeat the
tutorial. If you're still a little shaky, highlight the left selection and press
"A" to learn the moves again. If you're good to go, highlight the right
selection and press "A" to move onto the first level.
» The first stage allows for tree branch hopping where the hero leaps from
tree branch to tree branch... just like the old game Legend of Kage. The
kunoichi can glide if you perform a double jump and then continue pressing up on
the analog stick. She'll sort of slow her descent by billowing up her robes. If
you want her to drop downwards quicker, simply press down on the analog stick
and she'll plummet. A group of four ninja will attack on the second screen but
they're not very formidable.
» Things are fairly cookie cutter in the first forest area but once you get
out into the countryside, the background scenery is eye candy with bright golden hues,
green fields, and the shadows of the clouds above may be seen slowly moving
across the landscape. In the foreground, the flora moves as if brushed by firm
breezes. A scarecrow may also be seen as it stands against the wind. The first
group of ninja that attack in this area aren't much of a challenge but there's
two samurai later on who put up more of a fight.
» When surrounded by a bunch of ninja who are jumping, slashing, and throwing
shuriken, it's pretty impressive to watch someone tackle all of them at once by
counter-attacking, reflecting shuriken back at the thrower, and basically
kicking ass by using the moves that were taught in the beginning of the game.
» Near the end of the first stage, the hero will enter a graveyard and hold a soliloquy before moving onwards to greet some spirits and hold short
conversations with them. Soon afterwards, the first end-level boss appears. He's
a giant Cyclops with blue skin and balled fists. In his left hand, he grips a
necklace made from skulls. He attacks by leaping and going horizontal in an
attempt to squash his prey but it's fairly simple to get out of his way as he
leaps and then home in on his body for the kill. He'll also fire off flames which are again,
easy to avoid. As he weakens, he'll get a little more aggressive and start
throwing out spinning projectiles that land with a thud and then erupt into
miniature energy geysers. Another attack is a mass firing of spirit energy that
travels like an undulating wave. Note that if he connects, your hero's sword
will be broken. To fix your weapon, press the "C" button. After defeating the
Cyclops, some more spirits may be interacted with in the graveyard including a
female fox spirit carrying a lantern and two actual foxes, You'll be given a
chance to save your progress afterwards.
» An underground passage later in the game is filled with goblins that attack
like a pack of hyenas. There's also a powerful porcupine later on in the forest
which attacks by charging at full tilt. We didn't really want to kill it since
the poor animal was probably just defending its turf.
» A little eatery may be visited later in the game
where four menu items are available. We ordered a
bowl of rice with some bits of vittles in there and
ate it by pressing the "A" button until all of the
rice and bits was gone. We think Momohime can eat a
lot if given the opportunity.
» Oboro Muramasa is visually stunning and screen
captures of the stages would make nice pieces to be
hung in a frame. We weren't too keen on playing a
platformer with a combination of the Nunchuk and Wii
Remote but it works well and the controls are
snappy.
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This document and photos are ©NCSX 2009. All rights reserved. No
reproduction in whole or in part of this document
may be made without express written consent of
National Console Support, Inc.
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