Genma Onimusha Strategy Guide Review by The Badger The Genma Onimusha Official Strategy Guide from Brady Games has hit the market along with the brand new Xbox title. The 126 glossy page guide, written by Dan Birlew, features all the goodies you’d expect in a strategy guide, including a walkthrough, items lists, and boss strategies, to name just a few. You think it’s tough to write a strategy guide? Read a few of Dan Birlew’s comments in his introduction, after all, this is a bit of deja vu for him – he wrote the strategy guide for the PS2 version as well! So what’s this guide got to offer for this rendition of the Onimusha saga? For the sake of simplicity, I’ll list them out feature by feature: 1. Characters – The characters section not only gives you an extensive look into the stories of the characters themselves, but it also includes a break down of the command lists of the prime characters. Like any hardcore action game, there are plenty of combos and moves to learn, so you’ll find these listings extremely helpful. 2. Demons – Very much like the characters section, the demons section includes a little bit of background information. However, in this case, these section also include some tips on some of the best ways to obliterate these enemies. 3. Game Basics – This section includes a comprehensive description of each of the facets of Onimusha – on topics from the Riddle Boxes to "Reaving Souls" (yes, that’s the actual name of the ability, no doubt a tribute to the game that the trait is most often associated with!). Make no mistake folks, this isn’t just a repeat of the game’s instruction manual – you would do well to read this section to make the most powerful character possible. 4. Advanced Combat Tactics – If you had any illusions that you could button mash your way through Genma Onimusha (much harder than it’s PS2 counterpart), you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. This section is wonderfully crafted to give you instructions on how to master some of the most powerful moves of the game. 5. Weapons, Orbs, Armor – A short, but essential guide to the armor and weapons (including secret ones) that will become part of your arsenal. These sections also give you tips on how the weapons are best used, and enemies they work well against. 6. Items list – A concise chart of all the items in Genma Onimusha, their uses, and where they can be found and used. 7. Walkthough – The walkthrough for this title includes maps for each section, as well a visual aid/screen for each bit of text included as it walks you through the game. It also includes solutions to Riddle Boxes or other puzzles you may encounter. Also included are detailed strategies and stats for each of the enemies and bosses you encounter. Essentially, if you just don’t like a lot of reading or page turning, you could probably get the most integral game-winning information using this section alone. 8. Secrets of Onimusha – Onimusha has lots of hidden gems, and this is the section to learn about them. Highlights of the section include the secrets that can be unlocked after clearing the game, and a through walkthrough for the Oni Spirits mini game. 9.Appendix – As you’d expect, this section is comprised of a collection of things like maps, boss attack stats, and the complete transcription of the various books and journal entries you will come across as you journey. Overall, this guide is logically organized and does clue less experienced gamers in on the importance of mastering the many different moves and attacks in a fast paced action game like Genma Onimusha. This is especially true since the Xbox version is at least twice as hard as it’s PS2 release earlier in 2001. It also has a great deal of storyline and plot information that you might not have received from the actual game itself.
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