|
Control-wise, you're given a regular attack, power attack, special attack, a jump button, a "form" change button, and a guard button. It all sounds pretty standard, right? Now, take those controls, make the character movement completely in 3D, give only an automatic lock-on/targeting system, a wonky camera, and you've got the makings of some of the most aggravating and hectic fights you'll ever take part in. It won't be uncommon for you to be flailing away, only to suddenly find your foe literally standing between you and your character, leaving your fate to lady-luck. Definitely not a good idea, but unavoidable, and all too common.
Off-setting the responsive, though flawed gameplay, is the addition of a partner aspect, which far and away, is the game's most original feature. In most battles, you are accompanied by a partner who fights alongside you right to the bitter end. Their actions, which can be changed via the aforementioned "form" change button, vary from being your punching bag to going totally bat-shit insane, unleashing the fury every way they know how. And what's cool is if you have a good match with your partner -- enemies don't mix well -- you're able to unleash potentially devastating combo super-moves, where both characters use their unique abilities in tandem.
Sit, boy!
And these unique abilities and how they are portrayed, are undoubtedly, Feudal Combat's greatest strength. You will find everyone's signature attacks, including Inuyasha's "Back-lash Wave" and Miroku's "Wind Tunnel." To a lesser extent is the inclusion of interactive environments, with objects that can be damaged or even destroyed, sometimes altering the landscape. Even cooler is the presence of voicing by the entire anime cast, which gives the game a true authenticity and a coat of gloss, which if missing, would have knocked the game down a peg from note-worthy to forgettable.
Really, as much as I hate to admit that there is good in this otherwise mediocre game, the visuals are also something of beauty. Everything from the characters and locales to the menus and the way the game's cinematics play out -- between fights in the story mode -- are all exceptionally well done. To an Inuyasha fan like me, this game is a wet dream on a PlayStation 2 disc. My only qualms about the game from a presentation standpoint are the game's framerate tends to stutter from time to time and the audio sounds slightly muffled.
Truthfully, Inuyasha's first foray into fighting games is a mixed bag. When the game's flaws don't come into play, it's a unique and charming experience. It has everything that a fan could ever want. But the game's fairly short life-span -- a devoted player could unlock all the hidden content in a few hours -- make it a questionable purchase. What it all comes down to is how big of a fan you are. If you love the series, you'll be able to see past the game's flaws easily. They do say love is blind, after all. But if you aren't, well, you know the score. What you do with it is up to you.
|
