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Graphically "Muramasa" is a masterpiece. Anyone who has seen even a screenshot could tell you that. While it is true that many backgrounds repeat themselves, you will also notice that even amongst similar backdrops there will be subtle differences. Hawks diving across the countryside, dragonflies buzzing about. In some areas, distance and scale is used very effectively to show a natural progression up a slope of a hill across a countryside. The rampant slowdown that plagued "Odin Sphere" is nowhere to be found here. As the Wii has plenty more RAM then the PS2. The animations are mostly top notch as well with tons of detailed touches on character sprites such has heavy breathing. This is the best looking game of the year, on any system.

As in their previous RPG, "Muramasa"  is composed by veteran game composer Hitoshi Sakimoto and as expected, he knocks it right out of the park. His credits previously include "Final Fantasy Tactics", "Vagrant Story", "Final Fantasy XII", and "Odin Sphere". Naturally the music is a ample mixture of eastern flavored styles, but he mixes it up nicely with electric guitar and choir variations depending on the atmosphere of the game.



Gameplay is very much an action RPG set up. You have a main attack, a special attack that requires energy to unleash, and an item button. The only other buttons are the triggers used for switching one of three equipped swords and one of five equipped items. Movement is best described like a Capcom vs. fighting game such as "Marvel vs. Capcom 2".  You use the up button to jump. This may throw some people off but, as you will very quickly discover in the tutorial, it is designed this way on purpose. Attack variations are determined by using a direction on the D-pad and the attack button. This becomes even more specific while in the air. Simply put, a jump button would not work with this specific battle system. While the movement and battle system tutorial is very good, the game does a pretty poor job of explaining nearly everything else. For example, I was not aware that items had to be equipped outside of a battle to use. There is also a cooking menu, which is much more streamlined then "Odin Sphere", as well as a forging option. The forging is basically a big grid like screen that you use soul and spirits collected in battle and throughout the game to give to the titular Muramasa to forge new weapons for you. Their is also two difficulty settings for the game. One which flatlines the enemies level, and gives you no experience as well as making battles much easier. The other is the more standard RPG mode, but more then just level stats, the harder mode called "Shura" really requires the utmost skill from players. If your a veteran gamer, I strongly urge you to play the harder "Shura" mode. It really adds depth and skill to the game. Once beating the game completely with both characters can you unlock an even harder difficulty. As with "Odin Sphere" the game isn't completely over until you've truly mastered both characters in the game.


Overall the game is a blast to play, and the bosses will really give you a run for your money and blisters on your hand. Think of recent 2D "Castlevania" games and crank that notch up just a bit. For as perfect as the game looks and sounds, and as smoothly as it plays, its not quite the flawless experience I had hoped for. The story is really thrown at you and told in an interesting style. There is almost no real set up. In fact, you will know more about the characters by reading the manual then anything at the start of the game. The story is told to you as you fly through the game, slowly learning about the characters backstories and motivations through conversations during the game. There also seems to be a lot less of an actual narrative going on as well compared to "Odin Sphere". This could be due to the fact that there are only two characters this time, but the overall story just doesn't feel as cohesive this time. Probably the biggest flaw in "Muramasa: The Demon Blade" is that for all the majesty of the background art, the actual level design of ancient Japan is very flat and boring. The game is quite literally played through a series of boxes endlessly scrolling from one to the next. The good news is that with a dedicated map system that can be displayed on screen in real time, you will never get lost. While it really is breathtaking to take the views in, the fact of the matter is the actual level design is simply very boring. Another downfall is that warp shrines are only activated after you beat the game. You can very occasionally find a duo of travelers who will transport you across the map for a fee, but its never where you need to get to. It is hard to complain to hard about traveling over such a beautiful game, but it is also a mechanic that can't be overlooked. Also as one last nitpick, some of the end bosses are just to darn big. If there ever was a case for a game just having to much going on the screen at one time, this would be it. Luckily this is an extremely rare occurrence, and if it is bogging you down to much then you can switch over to the easier setting any time outside of battle. Which is a great feature in an of itself.


However the deal went down with Ignition, they have done a pretty good job at translating the game, the story itself however is a bit harder to follow due to its narrative structure. The decision to include only the Japanese voice overs is a moot point. The game takes place in Japan, and there is no mistaking that ever. To whine about having to read text in a game and hear a foreign language is plain old ignorance. It helps the player soak in the atmosphere of the title perfectly.