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Oni

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A Techtite Review

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 Last year gave us Daikatana;  over-hyped for years, yet wound up to be quite a disappointment. The result was apprehension towards similar long-in-production games that equally hyped to push the envelope...yet would they? Among such long-awaited titles is Oni, and now that it's finally out, I can say that it was more than worth the wait in many ways. However, one can't help to realize that its fair share of flaws regretfully drags it away from the "Deep Impact" rating it so easily could have earned.

The game's sales pitch is its title character; a next-generation Lara Croft type of 3rd-person action-heroine named Konoko. Inspired by Japanese Anime (the intro and concluding cutscenes are anime cartoons, FYI), Oni will even be a comic book series soon, regardless of how the game has just been released. Konoko is the result of various lab experiments to create the ultimate super warrior, though discovering what experiments those are, and why they were performed, is part of the quest in this action-adventure. Consider this a pilot episode of sorts, explaining the origins of the title character for the multiple comics and (possibly) game sequels to come.

Oni is different from most grab-gun-and-keep-firing shooters in many respects. For one, you can choose between close range or long range combat. However, judging by the limited ammunition, as well as the odd game rule of carrying only one weapon at a time (?), the idea here is to concentrate on close-range combat. New levels often result in new moves learned, which can be displayed at any time by choosing the "diary" on  your PDA (or whatever you wish to call it; the portable computer that tells you your missions objectives). Special 3D FX make all fights worth your while, including different flashes of energy depending on the affect of the blows (yellow affected only a little, red means the enemy is almost defeated). Sound FX equally enhance the fight experience, with louder punch sounds meaning a more effective hit. 

Much like the best action games these days, the rule is not to merely "shoot everything moving." This is a realistic environment, which often contains all at once enemies, fellow soldiers, and innocent civilians. I liked how saving the latter rewards you with their gratitude, and often a gift from them as well (health packs and ammo for example). Unlike other games with soldiers fighting alongside you, fellow soldiers are even quite strong (On one occasion, one of them even defeated the final enemy for me, saving me the trouble of searching for an extra health pack). This also adds to the challenge nicely, as you must choose your attack wisely, so as not to hurt people who may either help you, or reward you with power ups.

Environments were allegedly created with the help of real architects. This is one of the more intriguing aspects of the game that is hard to critique per se. On the one hand, there is an excellent sense of realism in the futuristic buildings you explore, right down to chain link fences, windows, and staircases arranged just like a building in real life. As a rule, characters you meet are equally real-world-oriented, and are often just typical lab technicians and hard-hat workmen. There is no sense of over-imagination creating a level map that is too silly to be believable. Similarly, enemies are rarely anything other than other humans, creating a game with its action roots planted firmly in reality. On the other hand, this is a game after all, and perhaps it would have been wiser to spread imaginations a little, and have characters and buildings from the future that looked a little more fanciful and alluring.

My gripes start with the erratic difficulty curve. The game starts off acceptably enough, until you reach boss villain #1; a bionic whatever named "Barabas." This is one of the few flights of fancy by the game designers, and quite frankly he's completely out of place in the game, for more reasons than just one. First, he's too difficult of a super-villain to defeat in merely the third game level; in some ways he's even tougher than the final boss character himself, nearly a dozen levels later! Second, he starts off with a mega-weapon while you have merely a pea-shooter. Third, he can regenerate his lost hit points, making all the work you did worthless, unless you can get close enough to him to keep him from regenerating. All told, this was a fight so annoying, I was tempted to uninstall the game right then and there. However, suffice to say I didn't, and I'm glad I kept playing.

Sadly, just one or two months of "tweaking" the game design could have removed any additional gripes I have, allowing the game to earn "Deep Impact" status. Instead, there are flaws like the save game feature; essentially, there isn't one. Your progress is saved automatically (and rather erratically) in four or less areas of each level you explore. This can be annoying in so many ways, though admittedly it isn't as bad as the "console-itis" of most games. Such games often force you to start a level at the very beginning, which is even more ridiculous (Giants Citizen Kabuto, are you listening...?). Still, perseverance pays off, and you'll see the "Mission Complete" anime comic screen of each level, soon enough.

The end result is a definite thumbs-up, for a truly unique and engrossing experience. However, there are a fair share of flaws that keep it from being as highly recommended as, say, Thief 2 or the equivalent from last year. Its almost as if the folks at Bungie (who created Oni) felt they were sick of waiting to release the game, and rushed it through production at the last minute. The end results were flaws like limited save game potential which could have been easily averted. Oni is far and away better than most games we've waited years for in the past, though it is still a shame it isn't as flawless as it could be.

	Final Rating : Large Crater. Some truly tough boss characters, plus some game play gripes, yet extremely entertaining elsewhere.
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 Also Available on the following game systems : Playstation 2

You may also want : Oni: Prima's Official Strategy Guide

 

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