Looking at the title and the picture on the front you would automatically think; "Hey I bet you kill stuff and boobs jiggle the whole game" and to that I say, Hell Yeah! Onechanbara is the continuation of the story of Saki and Aya. After both sisters defeated Reiko and Saki regained control of herself they decided to recede into a calm and normal life. But, because both sisters life with the curse of the Baneful Blood, their peace is not long lived. While in Tokyo, they witness the events they thought they had destroyed come back again. Tokyo has been overrun yet again by the zombie plague. How does the game fair? Does the story and ultimate bloodshed make up for the somewhat cheesy look it brings forth? Read on to find out...
Story:
The story here is interesting and appealing. Both sisters Aya and Saki thought they had destroyed their adversary and ended their blood bound curse, but obviously they didn't. Now, Saki and Aya must defeat this reoccured threat to not only save humanity, but rid their blood line of this curse. Along the way the sisters are attacked by suited men working for some company that isn't disclosed right away. Aya and Saki defeat the first suit and then are quickly flanked by another who KO's Saki and then Aya gets put down by the other. The suits take blood from both sisters and take both of them.
They leave Aya in an infected hospital dazed, confused and weak. Aya fights her way out of the hospital only to find she has no idea where the hell and what the hell happened to her sister Saki. All while Aya is fighting her way out of the hospital unknown to her, her sister is in the back of a bank truck tied up. While the truck is driving along, Annna (it's not misspelled, trust me) jumps on top of it and saves Saki. From there the girls are reunited after battling their way back to each other to face a new foe, Misery.
The story is deep and goes further than I have given you (wouldn't give you the whole thing, that's no fun). The characters add some interesting variables when it comes to their connection to each other and the going ons. While it is a hack and slash the story keeps the game relevant and intriguging.
Gameplay:
Here is the meat and bones of any and all hack and slashers. Onechanbara mixes it up in the genre and allows you to use a different style with each character. Aya is the power hitter, Saki is the speed and agile one and Annna uses guns (duel pistols and Uzi and Shotty), so it keeps a unique style for when you play multi or use Annna.
When fighting you have to watch and be careful about your meters, the sword one which shows how much blood and ware has gone into your swords (it doesn't affect Annna's guns) because if you don't wipe them clean often you will get them stuck in your foes and be open for attacks. The other meter is where your characters face is and it determines your rage. If your rage maxes out you go into a frenzy which works both ways, you cause more damage and are faster, but you take more damage and continually lose health at a gradual pace. You can go into rage from the blood splatter that gets onto your character. That also doesn't affect Annna cause she herself, has no Baneful Blood.
The fighting is simple, but enjoyable. Saki as I said, is the agile one and you can use you attacks to string together big combos at a quick pace. Aya can use a single sword or duel them up and use them very effectively. Annna has pistols, an Uzi and a shotty, need I say more about Annna's abilities? The sheer amount of enemies and types of enemies make it enjoyable and a game that has a similar counterpart in style with Bullet Witch.
The style and gameplay offered are obvious, but work well. It has been based for a simple and boring system, but I have to say when was the last real enjoyable hack and slash we had? Onechanbara is a game built around a solid story and decent gameplay that gives good blood and gore. While the game has it's flaws such as such a basic game style, it amps it with over the top blood, unique characters, changing clothing, and yes, bouncy boobs.
The game is not perfect by any means, but it is enjoyable and a game that you can pop in and play for a few hours on a decent basis. Ask yourself this simply, do you like killing zombies? Do you like boobs? Do you like swords and guns? If you went 3 for 3 them you'll enjoy Onechanbara.
Graphics:
The graphics are pretty good. The cut scenes have great graphics and make you wish there were more cut scenes in the game. The graphics are well done and the blood splatter is very strong. Yes, for all of you wondering the boobs jiggle. Anyway, the graphics are nicely up to date with the 360 system and are pretty good looking indeed.
You can take off certain body parts of the zombies such as the head, arms, torso and legs and the graphics keep it good, but it is just very basic all in the same. With the graphics it is a game that doesn't rely on them, but instead uses them to keep the game looking good and acceptable to today's gaming standards.
Sound:
The sound is really one of the highlights of the game. The music selection is astounding and works great for the game and the genre. The upbeat Jpop styled music with some strong techno keeps the energy and the game going. The blood sounds are strong and the slashing effects really keep it realistic.
The effects are really well done and with the sounds that everything makes along with the games music choices it keeps up with a strong musical score and easily one of the strongest parts of the game. If you like this style then you will love the accompying music and it all goes hand in hand lovingly.
Replay:
The value is of a medium level. While the game is somewhat linear, it offers the campaign in both single and duel player modes. There is also survival and chapter selection to use as well. You can make new outfits for your characters as well which adds to the gameplay a little. The real value of the game is the co-op gameplay and sound.
If you like the run n' gun hack n' slash style this is for you and a game you can simply play a lot. Play your favorite chapters and skip those with the ones you dislike. The game offers a fun story that you can sink into and gameplay that can be replayable. It all depends on your look at hack and slash kind of games.
Overall:
The game is decently enjoyable. With the deep story, decent gameplay, and amazing sound all come together to make a pretty good game. The game has its problems and they are obvious. The game has a hard genre to work with and with such a title it is hard to have decent expectations. The game has a storyline that spans other games and is really deep and really lets you get into it. The gameplay could be better and has some parts about it that get overly repetative, but the boss fights are long, hard and difficult (no pun intended).
The replay is rough to swallow (let it go...), but at the same time if you have a friend who likes it, it can be great for multiplayer. The several modes allow you to play it from different angles and gives you a jump in and play ability. The real strength of the game is the over the top bloodshed and tons of enemies to take out. While it is fun it does become taxing. The real question to ask is, This game has blood, gore, zombies, nurses, underground levels and yes of coarse, boobs; will I like it?
"Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad" is on sale February 10, 2009 and is rated M. Action. Developed by D3. Published by Tamsoft.
