Holy demon-slaying katana swings! As a die-hard Onimusha fan who spent the early 2000s squinting at PS2 graphics, I nearly choked on my ramen when Capcom announced this 2025 remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny. Seriously, it’s been two decades since Jubei first graced our screens in 2002—I feel ancient! 🗿 While we’re finally getting Onimusha: Way of the Sword soon (cue happy dance), this remaster is like rediscovering a cherished, slightly cheesy action figure... but now with WAY fewer frustrating tantrums. Though, let’s address the elephant in the room: why on earth did they ditch Tomoyasu Hotei’s iconic "Russian Roulette" from the attract mode? That song slapped harder than a demon lord’s backhand! Still, after diving in, I’m grinning like a fool—this isn’t just nostalgia; it’s nostalgia with quality-of-life steroids.
🎮 Unlocked Goodies Galore: No Grind Required!
Remember grinding through the original just to access Hard mode or bonus costumes? Me neither—because my teenage self rage-quit after dying to the third boss repeatedly. 😂 Now, Capcom blesses us with everything unlocked from the start via Special Features. We’re talking five difficulty levels—Easy for us mortals, Hell for masochists—plus wild extras like The Man in Black mode (no, not Johnny Cash) and Puzzle Phantom Realm. Completing these nets you snazzy outfits for Jubei and Oyu. Personal highlight? Slaying demons while Jubei rocks what looks like samurai-meets-runway fashion. Fabulous and deadly!
🕹️ Bye-Bye Tank Controls, Hello Sanity!
Confession time: I used to throw controllers over the original’s clunky D-pad tank controls. Trying to dodge a lunging ghoul felt like steering a shopping cart with square wheels. The remaster? Pure bliss! While purists can still torture themselves with vintage controls, the analog stick support is a godsend. Sure, fixed camera angles still cause occasional "Wait, which way am I facing?!" panic—especially during scene transitions—but it’s leagues better. And weapon switching? Holding L2 to flick between elements or arrows with the D-pad is smoother than buttered sushi. Still not perfect (I fumbled mid-boss fight), but hey, at least I’m not dead.
💥 Onimusha Mode: Now with Actual Strategy!
Absorbing souls? Classic. But the remaster tweaks Jubei’s Onimusha form brilliantly. Originally, snagging that fifth purple soul auto-transformed him—often wasting it on a puny foe. Now? I can hold R2+L2 to unleash hell strategically, like a demonic surprise party during boss fights 🎉. The form amps weapon damage and shoots homing purple orbs while the meter drains. It’s like having a "get out of jail free" card... if jail were a lava pit filled with teeth. I may have cackled maniacally while vaporizing a miniboss. No regrets.
⏭️ Cutscenes: Skip Without Trauma!
Ah, the original’s cutscenes—unskippable cheese fests where one mis-press meant enduring 10 minutes of melodrama. Now? Hold Start to skip anything, even slow-as-molasses door openings or ladder descents. Genius! Though, let’s be real: why skip this gloriously bonkers story? It’s a PS2-era soap opera with demons and swordfights. I mean, where else do samurai angst over destiny while rocking fabulous hair? Still, for replay #5, skipping is a mercy. 🙏
💾 Save Slots & Autosave: Hoarder’s Paradise!
Gone are the days of rationing memory card slots like precious water in a desert. The remaster offers 20 save slots—enough for my obsessive "save before every corner" habit. Plus, autosave! No more weeping after a power outage mid-battle. Here’s a comparison of old vs. new pain levels:
| Feature | Original (2002) | Remaster (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Save Slots | 10 per memory card 💸 | 20 built-in 🎉 |
| Autosave | None 😭 | Yes! (Praise Capcom) 🙌 |
| Boss Fight Anxiety | Maximum ulcer risk | Manageable caffeine high |
⏱️ Game Length & Replayability: Short but Sweet!
At 6-9 hours (depending on difficulty), the campaign breezes by faster than a demonic wind. No New Game+? Boo. But tracking progress across playthroughs and unlocking Honors (trophies) adds replay spice. The story’s twisty enough to demand a second run—I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say... timey-wimey shenanigans. 😉 Honors are easily tracked in-game too—no dashboard hopping!
So, circling back to my ramen-choking excitement: this remaster turns a beloved relic into something joyfully modern. Sure, I’ll forever mourn "Russian Roulette," but trading tank controls for smooth combat and infinite saves? Worth it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to replay Hell mode. Pray for my sanity—and my controller. 🎮🔥