Review: Muramasa belongs in the Louvre
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 4:04am by Derek
Forget rain on your wedding day, free rides when you’d already paid and good advice you just didn’t take. The most beautiful video game I’ve played this generation runs on the archaic, underpowered Wii.
Sorry, Alanis, but that’s the definition of irony—don’t you think?
The games press is notorious for spreading hyperbole, an offense to which even I’d admit occasional guilt. But there’s nothing hyperbolic about it—Muramasa: The Demon Blade is an astonishingly gorgeous game, a stunning collection of moving artwork with more elegance, polish and sophisticated style than anything I’ve played in years.
Developed exclusively for Wii by Vanillaware, the Japanese studio
best known for the stylish 2007 action-RPG Odin Sphere, Muramasa blends modern anime with classical Japanese art and mythology. For the duration of its 17-20 hours of gameplay, the world of Muramasa is comprised entirely of layers of scrolling two-dimensional artwork, harkening to a simpler era before polygons and bump mapping.
Though its technique may be simple, its style is breathtaking.
One of the most beautiful games I’ve ever played, Muramasa is only on Wii
Vibrant colors burst from every pixel of the screen as you traverse snowy mountaintops, amber wheat fields rippling in the wind, thick bamboo forests blanketed by fog and more. Progressing through the abundance of locations, Muramasa continuously presents unique new environments brought to life by fantastic animation and meticulous detail, and each seems more hypnotically beautiful than the last.
And it’s not just the backgrounds, either. Particularly for its massive bosses, Muramasa’s character design is some of the best I’ve seen.
Ever.
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:52 am
Is the voice track in English or Japanese for the US version?
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:16 am
I’ve been playing it in Japanese (US Version) and it’s excellent.
I’ve also been playing it on the d-pad (not analog as per the reviewer) and there are no jumping issues. Also I’m fairly certain that there is no point to playing with an analog stick as I couldn’t see any analog movement in the character.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 am
I play with the analog stick and I don’t have any issues, ‘cept the occasional won’t-drop-down-through-a-platform-after-double-tapping-down thing. And I’m so glad they didn’t dub it in English, and I’m super amazed that every single NPC has a voice.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I’m pretty sure there isn’t an English voice track, but I’m cool with that. I think the Japanese voice talent really lends itself to the overall feel of the game, and I don’t mind having to read.
Anyway, I use the d-pad on the Classic Controller and I find it works perfectly fine after you take a couple of minutes to get used to it. In actuality, with the speed at which you’ll need to be attacking your enemies, not having to move over your thumb for the sake of jumping (which you’ll also need to do a lot) is really ideal.
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I dunno… I heard the gameplay is a bit repetitive and clunky (lots of backtracking) so I’m kinda staying wary of this one. I hate fetch-quests and collectathons. But I’ll be damned if it don’t look purdy.
Also, if you think this game has the best character design EVER may I suggest you turn off your Wii once in a while and turn on your DVD player? : P I think you’d like Studio Ghibli movies.
still not sure about this one….
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
It’s on my “To Buy” list once I’m done with The Conduit, Endless Ocean, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition, Twilight Princess, Let’s Tap, Klonoa and Tales of Symphonia. Actually, Little King’s Story and Spyborgs go on the “To Buy” list as well.. along with everything released from now until December.
Not enough time and $$$ make for less game purchases in groups. When you add in the 10 DS RPGs waiting for me as well as 2 DSiware, 4 Wiiware and 1 VC game waiting for me to finish them, there’s no rush really. I think I’m set until February 2010.
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
- Voices are all done in Japanese with English subtitles.
- Using up to jump works. I’d just prefer a button for it.
- I meant some of the best character design in a game.
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I love this game.
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
@ gojiguy: I wouldn’t say anything you do in the game could be considered a fetch quest, but yes, there is a lot of backtracking. There’s an upside and a downside to all of that backtracking, though: on one hand, you get to explore the areas a little more and discover new things to do, but on the other, well…it’s backtracking and nobody likes that.
In any case, I’d hardly consider the combat in any way “clunky.” In fact, it’s incredibly fast and smooth and, unlike most games, you really will feel yourself getting more comfortable with it and even mastering it. It takes a little getting used to, but it’s really great.
Just some words of encouragement. I urge you (and others) to buy this game.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
The art book it came with when you preorder is pretty sweet! No one ever says it but the music is amazing, wish for a soundtrack cd