![]() ![]() (“You have fun with that swarm of flaming skulls, Tokitsugu. This gives the combat a zippiness that this sub-genre of games is usually missing, allowing for quick rescues and even quicker escapes. A large hand will shoot out and grab whatever is targeted, then pull the player forward. Basically, the player holds the right trigger takes aim and releases. Each Slayer that takes up residence in Mahoroba Village is provided this accessory by the Professor, and is used to bolster the player’s regular weapon. The biggest addition in this sequel’s offensive toolbox comes in the form of the Demon Hand. The animations of these instruments of destruction are smooth and feel authentic, though this isn’t surprising considering the developer’s experience with the Musou series. The razor coated chain whip, the long range of a naginata, and a giant over sized club all feel completely different and fun to wield in battle. Sticking to just this type would be a shame, as there are some fun ways to cause hurt. The regular sword style is a safe place to start, offering a nice balance of speed and damage. There isn’t a weapon style that feels like a dud. Each of the available weapons have a unique feel, with their own obvious strengths and weaknesses. Really, the game gets the action done handily. Players who don’t really care about that and just want a game that allows for violence against demons will have plenty to love, though. Instead, there are just long periods of generic, anime trope filled dialogue that only occasionally manages to entice. It wouldn’t have been necessary to take a side, but using the organic notes built into the lore could have provided memorable narrative beats. The nature of the human soul could be explored with Tokitsugu, a machine imbued with the spirit of a previously living man. The rivalry between the town guard and the Samurai or Insiders and Outsiders in the village’s local jargon, could have been an opportunity to explore some longstanding points that have an analog to the real world, even if a side is never taken. There are points of conflict that could be interesting if done correctly. The storytelling, however, is where Toukiden 2 trips the worst. Featuring a mixture on monsters from Japanese folklore, an anime style to the writing and a feudal take on steampunk (Samuraipunk?) technology feels unique at first blush. What a novel concept!Īll told, the set up to the tale that Toukiden 2 wants to tell is interesting enough. Somehow, the protagonist was moved through time and space, landing ten years in the future at the distant village of Mahoroba. Progress was beginning to be made when a promising Slayer, played by the character, disappears from the battlefield. Angry at this brazen attack, the Slayers shed their cover and counterattack in the open. Beginning in an idyllic Yokohama, the demons set forth, spewing flame and chaos upon the town. The oni themselves weren’t exactly keen on seeing their broodmates carved into easily concealed chunks and took it upon themselves to do something about it. A previously secretive group of demon hunters, known as Slayers, have been working in the shadows to protect the people of Japan from the demonic oni. Much like the previous title, there is a plot here. The better news is that, while not perfect, Toukiden 2 manages to innovate on the tried and true framework in a grand fashion. The good news that Omega Force has used the previous title as a learning experience and are back to prove the series’ worth with a full-fledged sequel. That was a bit better with the new weapons and other toys made available for use. While it didn’t light up the sales charts, it was respectable enough to warrant an expanded release with Kiwami. That doesn’t mean it was a bad game, though. Sure, there were some differences, like purifying the bodies of the fallen demons instead of skinning them, but there was a straight and obvious line from Capcom’s megahit series and this entry. Sony wanted a Monster Hunter type game, and Koei was happy to get their workhorse developer, Omega Force, on the case. Koei Tecmo made no bones about their influence when they announced and released Toukiden: The Age of Demons for PS Vita a few years back.
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