Fifteen years after the
Onimusha 3, Japan has been united under the leadership of Nobunaga’s lieutenant, Hideyoshi. This peace is broken when a mysterious moon appears in the sky, transforming Hideyoshi into a power-hungry warlord. He unleashes a new army of demonic Genma on Japan, leaving the blonde-haired Soki as its only salvation.
As with previous games, the main story is told through cutscenes with background information given in various notes and diaries found throughout the game. It doesn’t expect that you know the game’s history, though some references may go over your head if this is your first time with the series. The long narrative (which spans two disks) is well done, even if it takes a while getting to the point.
Dawn of Dreams is more open-ended than past games, though the “slash the hell out of every enemy you see” premise is still firmly intact. Gameplay is faster and reminiscent of Genji (which oddly enough was described by some as a “Faster Onimusha”). There is a lot to do in the game and the pacing is pretty even so you never feel overwhelmed.
Levels follow a linear flow, though once you start acquiring allies, they open up. Each of the five characters has a special skill that allows them to access tucked-away areas in each level. Again, the pacing is well-done; so while you may find a hidden area in one level, you may not meet the character that can actually go there until ten levels later. While it does add some artificial length, it is usually worth the time to go back and check previously impassable areas.
There is a ton of stuff to find in the game, ranging from jewels that will increase your health and power to new weapons and armor. There are also items like puzzle boxes, challenges and the Dark Realm that can be completed. However, the game does recycle areas, leading to the drawn-out feeling.
