Does, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, the latest 2D fantasy epic from highly-respected Japanese code shop Vanillaware have what it takes to stand out in a market focused almost solely on 3D? Read our Muramasa: The Demon Blade review to find out.
Outside of the DS and PSP, 2D video gaming is largely extinct. Powerful consoles have resulted in a proliferation of technologically-advanced titles rooted firmly in three dimensions, but while your Modern Warfare’s and Assassin’s Creed’s may attract modern gamers like moths to a candle, Muramasa: The Demon Blade proves that there’s still room in the marketplace for traditional hand-drawn visuals.
Set in a feudal Japan teaming with mythical beats and monstrous demons, Muramasa focuses on the exploits of two characters: exiled princess Momohime and wandering outlaw Kisuke. Both have access to various deadly katana blades, of which there are 108 to collect throughout the course of the game.
Simple screenshots don’t do justice to Muramasa’s incredible visuals – to truly get an indication of how jaw-droppingly gorgeous this game is you need to see it in motion. Backgrounds practically erupt with life and the numerous characters – both friendly and otherwise – display the kind of charm that most 3D video game protagonists can only dream of. Anyone doubting the validity of 2D graphics in modern gaming is likely to be struck dumb at the opulent optical feast this game represents. In short, it’s a visual corker.
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Unfortunately the actual gameplay – while remaining perfectly enjoyable – is slightly less striking. Muramasa: The Demon Blade completely eschews any annoying “waggle” motion controls and is best experienced using the Classic Controller (although a Wii Remote on its side is just as effective). Combat is handled predominately by one button, although the sheer volume of attacks you’re able to execute is staggering. It often comes dangerously close to being a button-masher, but only if you allow it to; there are plenty of offensive options available for switch-on players.
Even with two playable characters, a whole host of weapons to collect and three different game modes to sample, Muramasa: The Demon Blade isn’t going to keep you occupied forever. However, while it lasts it’s an aesthetically mind-blowing thrill-ride that delivers immediate and instinctive enjoyment in a way that few modern titles seem to manage. It’s not perfect by any means and certainly won’t be to everybody’s tastes, but if you’re sick of popping caps in Russians or assassinating bloated Italian nobles then it’s a significant enough deviation from the norm to justify the purchase.
