Otogi 2 E3 2004 Preshow Impressions

One of the best Xbox action games of last year was Otogi, a beautiful-looking occult-themed game set in a mystical, feudal Japan. In that game, players assumed the role of a resurrected samurai warrior, Raikoh, who was charged with ridding the land of a demonic infestation. Developer From Software has since finished up a sequel to that game, which shipped in Japan earlier this year by the name of Otogi: Hyakki Toubatsu Emaki. We had a great time playing that version of the game and have eagerly been hoping for publisher Sega to pick it up for a stateside release. Our wishes have been answered now that Otogi 2 is coming to North American shores this winter, exclusively for the Xbox.

The game features the same dreamlike graphical style that made the visuals from the first Otogi so memorable, and the action itself is fundamentally similar. You'll be able to battle demonic opponents on foot or while airborne, and you'll be able to obliterate just about anything in the environment as you fight. And this time, you won't just be limited to playing as Raikoh. At the beginning of the game, Raikoh is resurrected, once again, by means of the noble sacrifice of four otherworldly warriors...who, in death, join Raikoh in his battle against the new threat. A sixth character, the priestess responsible for Raikoh's resuscitation, will also lend her hand in aid.

Raikoh is an incredibly cool character, but the new cast is very impressive as well. The new members include a doglike character who wields a dual-bladed sword and a massive man who can grapple his foes and hurl them into one another. Each one basically plays similarly, but the properties for each character's attacks are distinctively different.

We presume that the delay in bringing Otogi 2 stateside can be attributed to the slow translation of its Japanese dialogue to English. Hopefully, the Japanese language option will be retained, though it's worth noting that the original Otogi featured an excellent English dubbing.

We'll bring you more details on Otogi 2 as soon as we can.