The evolution of the gaming style germinated by Bio-hazard marches on, bulked up by the large strides made in the past couple of years. The culmination of all that refinement shines in Onimusha, the latest example of prevalent gaming technology and technique. Visually opulent, the environments are sumptuous to behold with walls, floors, and other settings that seethe with inner glow and outer patina. Everything in the game is imbued with lovely texture and detail. Perhaps it's a shame that this world environment is essentially a one use affair.
   Onimusha is a 3-D hack 'n slash game and the familiar Bio-hazard camera angles make their way here with overhead views of your killings as well as 3/4 overviews of the carnage. Upon slashing an adversary and driving it to the ground, our hero may elect to perform a downward sword stroke which dispatches the foe to dust and soul. This life energy can then be drawn into your sword in a Soul Reaver-esque manner. Cinemas and action meld perfectly and without interruption so the game flows smoothly from story sequence to gameplay and back to story when the occasion calls. 
   The sophomore year of the Playstation 2 looks to be a great one if Onimusha is any indication. Next up: Konami's Zone of Enders in March.