Otogi: Myth of Demons **Official**

[BioMechanic]

Otogi really is that good, and deserves all the positive press it gets. The camera has rarely, if ever, been a problem. The control is perfect. The soundtrack is a perfect fit and the narration is top caliber. Even the story is worth paying attention to. It's the most beautiful game I've ever seen - perhaps not the most technically brilliant, but definitely the most beautiful. The gameplay more than matches it too - it's not a button-masher. The various objectives give it a lot of diverse replay value, beyond just the experience of going through the motions in the 29 levels.

But at the same time, it's got a certain quality that is totally riveting. It's very hard to explain. It has a seamless flow to it that's kind of poetic. For me, the overall effect of controlling Raiko through the levels is satisfying on a level deeper than just going from point A to point B destroying everything in your path. Maybe it's just the inspired attention to detail and care From Software obviously put into the game, but it's as if they've tapped into some kind of interactive vein that few games have, in my experience.

I don't want to use terms like classic, but Otogi is without a doubt a stand-out title that I wouldn't hesitate to describe as a work of art.

[AaronChance]

When you start up the game and get classic Japanese artwork with the logo surromounted on top and cherry blossom petals gently falling in the background... already you know this isn't going to be a bland experience. From beginning to end this game is stylisticly perfect. So much so that I'm really looking forward to the second ending.

I'm playing through the replay with the dub and subtitles off. I think Sega US did a really good job with the dub, in fact I think I like the game better this way now.

Though man is the Priest level a bitch with the hydra sword. If he doesn't get you with a fireball, he'll knock you into something or one of his skeletal minions will tag you. I can only manage to get two solid hits on him so far, but the whole challenge of it all is too much fun to give up.

I think if I replay yet again, I'll stick to using only magic and never hit an enemy with a phsyical attack if I can avoid it. I don't use magic nearly enough as I probably should.

[Prince Planet]

A few more tidbits:

The Needle of Fury definitely locks out magic. Why, look, it even says so in the deatiled description. Doh!

Magic is worthless against the Stage 9 boss (centipede). Why, look, the Princess even says so during the level. Doh!

The Stage 9 boss can be dodged until he runs off, or killed (say, with Hammer). Either way, the Stage is completed, although you do get the Sutra of Agression for the kill, as noted.

The Hammer kicks ass on just about everything through the first 10 stages. Really.

This game owns.

[Brisco Bold]

A few more tidbits:
The Stage 9 boss can be dodged until he runs off, or killed (say, with Hammer). Either way, the Stage is completed, although you do get the Sutra of Agression for the kill, as noted.

I was wondering about that. I accidently hit A when the Worm starting saying shit and *boom* I won. I didn't question it; just went straight to Save.

[JM]

Last night I went through & started going for 100% Spirits on all the stages. I have 100% on stages 1-5 & 7-10. Stage 6 still eludes me, I need to go back & find Ammandeau's post outlining where the spirits. I'm now on level 20, & it really does feel great to go back to stages that were previously tough, and just obliterating all those enemies that you had to avoid before. I love the golden dragon.

JM

[Despair]

Ok, Spend some more time with Otogi last night, not mostly playing it myself(dj was handling the playing duties before), and first going through early few stages getting my hands on controls and attacks and trying to get all the things we missed in the first time through. As it was said by many here before me, visiting old stages and witnessing the destruction you caused before, and then adding some more never gets old Also leveled up for a bit, and now we are Level 11.

Water Tower level was pretty fun, and seeing that grand tower surrounded with crystals and huge columns, with tons of flying demons assaulting you with their green fireballs, while you rush from column to column in the race against time was great I was running out of both life and magic at the end, so it was a mad rush to get to the last column, but it just cool. And then it all came crumbling down.

The Giant Insect Demon encounter was a neat boss battle. Very impressive visually, and hard at first, but then with some good dodging and constant movements around the area, dj scored few good hits on the demon, so it ran away. I will be visiting it later, to finish the business though

Next 2 forest levels we also cool, and the change in environment theme was done very nicely.

Hunted for another Mercy orb, and those are fast buggers, so you end up chasing it if you hit it too hard, and it flies away. Easy to loose them, when under attack from bunch of demons

Found the set of Mountain Axes, those are pretty cool, and I love how they look in combat

Loving this game, but I SERIOUSLY need to get S type pad for Xbox, since original starts hurting my hands after some play time

[BioMechanic]

POW! Beat that punk Michizane!

During my item fetching, I got my mitts on the Dragon Staff, and noticed it increased the House of Shoryu. Equipping it, I discovered it maxed out my magic. "Hmmm.....think I'll give that final boss another go....." Used the staff, energy magic level 3, and the Bell of Cleansing (to ward off his damn draining dark attack). As usual, I beat his first two forms pretty easily, then on his third, I opened up with a barrage of charged magic, while dashing to stay the hell away from him. I took him out in probably twenty seconds. My previous battles turned out to have some benefit after all, I suppose.

Cleared with Raiko at level 26 in 12:59. I was using a second save file, so I'm still planning to go back for 100% and all items before starting 2nd play - I'm very much looking forward to both. I want that second ending!

The weapons all use the same combos and stuff, but each looks and sounds very different. Yet another great touch.

You guys think the game could have benefitted by Raiko having the ability to block melee attacks? Being able to reflect enemies' magic certainly helps, especially on the last boss, but I don't think a block would improve the game.

What do we know about the sequel so far? Looks very different at first glance.

[Despair]

Yes, Ability to block would definately be nice. Many times you get caugh between enemy shots/hits and without guard ability you get hurt quite a bit. While those hits not very damaging, with enough of them, your life can go down rather fast.

[JM]

No, I wouldn't want a block, that would slow down the pace of the fights. The only addition I want would have your boost dash track your currently locked enem, als Shinobi. That would make the game damn near perfect.

JM

[Prince Planet]

No, I wouldn't want a block, that would slow down the pace of the fights. The only addition I want would have your boost dash track your currently locked enem, als Shinobi. That would make the game damn near perfect.

Agreed. The ability to block attacks would interrupt the flow of combat. I don't like getting hit, but I wouldn't trade the smooth gameplay for any more defensive moves. Reflecting magic attacks is pretty cool, however, and notice how it does not change the combat pace at all.

There are so many slick touches in this game, repeatedly demonstrating From's commitment to a quality title. Highly detailed 2D artwork, complete with poetic decriptions, for EVERY weapon, spell, accessory, and enemy -- it's close to astounding. Random, cryptic speeches from the Princess for purely atmospheric effect. Beautiful game-engine cut-scenes, both before and after each Stage to set the mood. And so on.

Anyone notice how your presently equipped weapon AND accessory are displayed during the cut-scenes? Very, very nice touch.