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Exclusive Onimusha 3 Q/A Feature
Derek dela Fuente
01/04/2004
Keiji Inafune answers all of our questions on the final installment in the Onimusha trilogy...
Although it is not until near the end of the year that Onimusha 3 is released the fanfare and excitement builds as Capcom continues to release more news about some of the exciting elements and features within the game, the most recent of which were the names of some of the celebrities who will join this multi-million dollar project. These will include Takeshi Kaneshiro, who returns in his role as Samanosuke Akechi from the original title in the series, alongside Jean Reno, the world-renowned movie star who is best known for his roles in 'Leon', 'The Big Blue' and 'La Femme Nikitaâ.
Perhaps the most exciting snippet of information of late has been the addition to the project of a number of computer graphics experts that will add and enhance the distinguished look within the game which will complement, a first for the series, full polygonal backgrounds as Capcom strives to realise the title's truly dramatic camerawork.
It will be the storyline that gamers will be more than eager to find out about and Onimusha 3 Demon Siege tells the tale of the man who has just âreturnedâ and the man who has just âarrivedâ.
Takeshi Kaneshiro as Samanosuke is the man who has just returned and the year is 1582. The stage is set at the burning Honnoji Temple, as the famous Onimusha warrior Samanosuke Akechi fights. As he faces the demons in front of him, Samanosuke is compelled to move forward by hatred for his true enemy, the undying Nobunaga Oda, ever pursuing his crazed ambition. Samanosuke prepares for the long-awaited final battle against Nobunaga.
Jean Reno as Jacques Blanc is the man who has arrived and the year is 2004. A peaceful French city is suddenly attacked by demons. In the blink of an eye, the city is transformed and into a nightmarish nest of Genma demons who are slaughtering civilians and soldiers one by one. Within this nightmare, appears one man, a man who stands up against the Genma demons.
Why has Samanosuke suddenly appeared in modern day Paris and Jaques in feudal Japan? What fate awaits these two men? What will be the final outcome of each of their stories? Players will find out the truth when they play the game.
Itâs a saga of two different stories that transcends four centuries from ancient Japan to the modern day. Onimusha 3 introduces a âdual hero systemâ, bringing not only a deeper story, but also a game full of content and detail! The design of the âdual hero systemâ offers two very different kinds of action, giving the player unique ways to enjoy the game as they experience very different styles of excitement!
TVG spoke briefly with Keiji Inafune, Producer of Onimusha (who was also the creator of the Mega Man series), about Onimusha 3.
The Interview
TVG: What do you feel are the distinguishing features within the Onimusha brand and what advancements in terms of gameplay do you feel will make Onimusha 3 even more enjoyable than the previous two offerings? Also any sadness that this is the last in the trilogy?
Onimusha 3 is more of an action game than the previous title. I feel we have combined the very best elements of the first two titles and added some fantastic new ideas as well as taking the Onimusha universe into full 3D. I have no regrets about the series ending. My plan was always to make 3 titles. Onimusha 3 will make a thrilling climax to the saga.
TVG: There are a number of innovations and improvements set for ONIMUSHA 3. How focused are these actually on pushing PS2 technology or are you merely using a new approach? Also how debilitating are hardware restraints in terms of what you would wish to do?
I think that weâve tried to push the PS2 to its limit with Onimusha 3. Weâve tried our hardest to make the game look and perform as near perfectly as possible.
TVG: The team spent a lot of time in France capturing the essence of certain locations. You have taken many photos and graphics assets. What was the reasoning for France and how do you pull in/use this imagery in the game?
I love Europe, especially the beautiful cities within it, such as Paris and London. It felt natural to bring in Paris as a key location. I feel that classic structures, such as the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame, will add to the gravity and stature of the game.
TVG: The game is a collaboration of many experts, film actors, directors, and computer graphics experts. With so much talent isnât it hard to get full agreement?
Everyone on the team has the chance to state their opinion so graphic artists, along with every other person on the staff, have lots of input. The total quality of the game depends on how well the team work together, and of course on everyone's honest input.
TVG: We are not exactly sure how you create you animations. We believe they are hand drawn. Can you tell the readers the advantage of hand drawn animation as opposed to using more precise Motion Capture?
Motion Capture provides for a better sense of fluidity and realism. That being said, hand drawn animation makes for some truly emotionally moving animation (as shown on Link's face in the last Zelda game). Also, with hand drawn animation you can do and show wild and crazy things that just aren't possible via motion capture. (It's easier to make a person âfly through a solid objectâ when animating them using hand-drawn techniques instead of motion capture). Basically it really does depend on how you use the animation and where you use it.
TVG: We are told the story is deeper with more content and ideas. Can you give the readers the basic premise to the storyline?
The basic premise is that Akechi Samanousuke and Jacque Blanc get accidentally sent to different places in time and space. However, they must try to work together to uncover the mystery behind the time slipping and ultimately defeating evil warlord Nobunaga Oda once and for all.
TVG: What qualities were seen in Jean Reno to be called into the project and what is his part in the project?
He was a perfect choice. I have always thought he is an amazing actor so the first opportunity I got to work with him I took. As for his part, he had to work closely with the motion capture guys and of course the voice recording studio.
TVG: For people not au fait with this title - what do you see as the unique gaming qualities of having dual stories in a game?
One story but it is played out in two different time periods.
TVG: How different in terms of actions, controls, even ideas, does 3D mean for the game?
We received a lot of criticism in the past for using pre rendered backgrounds. I really hope we have now answered this with the introduction of full 3D environments in the game.
TVG: Can you briefly tell us the characteristics of the dual characters and will there be new weapons of offer?
Samanosukeâs weapons are all brand new but still blade based, while Jacqueâs weapons are based around whips. Both characters will be able to use magic via their Oni gauntlet.
