#oneechanbara

I really didn't expect much going into them, but these games are so much fun. A few thoughts I had (kinda long post incoming):

The combat feels really satisfying and flows so well. Especially when it comes to things like switching weapons or characters mid combo to extend said combo.

The Xtasy/Dare Drive forms were both badass and fun to use. I really like the risk vs reward feeling that makes you consider the right time to use them.

The plot isn't really anything special or amazing, but it's got that same vibe as a super campy grindhouse B-film which I personally adore.

I honestly really liked the characters. Again these games aren't trying to have the deepest plot in the world, but the characters are fun and memorable. Like I genuinely love them and feel attached now.

I even grew to really like the character designs a lot. Like hell yeah Aya. You go rock that bikini, feather boa, and cowgirl hat while you bathe in the blood of the undead. Again it's just so campy and silly I can't help but love it.

The music goes way harder than it has any right to. "Ichiban Wa Me" has been stuck in my head and refuses to leave.

Origin in particular has amazing combat. Combos flow well, hits feel really impactful, and it's honestly just downright addicting. It also almost reminds me of the Dynasty Warriors games with how you can feel really strong and unstoppable against basic enemies, but boss fights are still challenging and require you to focus.

I definitely think Origin is the better of the two in terms of gameplay, but there's a lot I did really love about it in Z2. One of the biggest things being the chase mechanic which I would really like to see return in a future game along with the more polished gameplay that Origin has.

While I do actually like the more "realistic" look of Z2, I think I like the more stylized anime look of Origin more. It's just much more visually appealing in my opinion, and I hope they continue with it in the future. (I'm also dying to see Kagura and Saaya in that art style)

As much as I've fallen in love with these games they do have some issues worth mentioning though. Mainly the fact that they are a bit buggy.

Z2 doesn't really have any game breaking bug that I found, but sometimes camera angles can get a little wonky. Especially when you're cornered and targeting an enemy. Also hitboxes on some enemy attacks can be a little taller than they appear to be. This is most noticeable with shots from guns that will hit you even when you are jumping high above them.

Origin can take some messing with to get working properly on PC, and even once it is working it's known to crash on occasion which will corrupt your save file. I haven't run into this issue myself, but it is a thing I've seen people talk about so I think it's worth mentioning. While annoying it is possible to protect against this by just making a back up of your save file in the event it does happen. Also worth mentioning that in a few cutscenes the models can be a little shaky. It's honestly not a huge deal at all, but it is noticeable when it happens.

One other negative I will say is that the regular prices are a little high. Especially with Origin which also has bonus missions that you have to buy as DLC. These missions are only $.99 a piece, but I still feel they should have just been included in the base game. I highly recommend these games, but I do suggest grabbing them on sale.

Onee Chanbara Origin - Release Date Trailer. It'll launch for PlayStation 4 via the PlayStation Store and PC via Steam on October 14 in North America and Europe for $59.99 / €49.99. 

Overview

About

Onee Chanbara Origin is a complete HD remake with all new art style graphics and optimized storytelling, combining both The Onechanbara and The Onechanbara 2 games, which were originally released for PlayStation 2 in 2004 and 2005. Now featuring all renewed main character designs, redesigned by main character Onechanbara series designer Katsumi Enami, Onee Chanbara Origin tells a new interpretation of the story of the two half-sisters, Aya and Saki, bound by mutual hatred and locked in a brutal fight to the death, eventually overcoming their cruel fate and fighting alongside one another to find their father in this high-speed action-adventure hack ‘n slash game series.

Onee Chanbara Origin follows the zombie-hunters, Aya and Saki’s fate into destroying each other and leads into the second of the series, The Onechanbara 2. After the sisters overcome their cruel fate in killing one another, they overcome their rivalry against one another and ally together to depart on their journey of finding their father, Oboro, after he leaves behind a message that names “Eva” as the mastermind behind his wife’s death and all of the chaos that ensued between the two sisters, including the vice that made Saki insane and hell-bent on avenging her mother. Little do they know they are coming even closer to the truth and their true enemy.

Play as a zombie hunter and battle through the stages with high-speed real-time swordplay, completing objectives and tasks while hacking and brawling through hordes of the Undead. Each character’s weapons become progressively covered in blood as players fight off zombies in gruesome detail. Occasionally, players may even transform into demons for short bursts of added power and energy with the downside cost of life energy. Each zombie hunter has her own unique abilities, and skillful play is rewarded for cooler combinations. Players can enjoy the game with full English voice-acting or play through with the original Japanese performances with English subtitles.

Key Features

Cel shaded graphics reminiscent of Japanese animation.

Exhilarating feel from cutting down hordes of zombies with a katana.

Gore effects with decapitations, dismemberments, and even cutting torsos in half.

A novice-friendly system that allows combos to rack up just with simple tap of a button.

A system called the “Cool Combination” system for advanced players. This requires exact timing to connect combos but with an added bonus of massive flexibility. Provides enjoyment for players of all skill levels.

All-Star Fighters (2005)

Simple 2000 Series Vol. 91: The All*Star Kakutou Matsuri (the sub-title loosely translated to "The All*Star Fighting Festival") is a comedic 2.5D fighting game developed by Digital Zero and published by D3 for the PlayStation 2 in Japan on December 15, 2005. It was later localized in Europe as All-Star Fighters and released by Essential on March 23, 2007.

Part of the Simple 2000 series of budget games, All-Star Fighters features numerous characters and locales from the rest of the series.

Source: Giant Bomb

Riho Futaba From (JP): The Gal Mahjong: Love Song (No EU Release!) From (EU): Zombie Hunters Developer: HuneX

Shin Fuyue From (JP): The Kyonshi Panic From (EU): Zombie Attack Developer: Tamsoft

Namedethgar From (JP): The Tokusatsu Henshin Hero From (EU): Power Fighters Developer: Daft

Princess Shaval From (JP): The First RPG From (EU): N/A (Your First RPG in ASF's manual) Developer: HuneX

Earth Defence Force (E.D.F.) From (JP): The Chikyu Boueigun From (EU): Monster Attack (AKA Earth/Global Defence Force) Developer: Sandlot

Reiko Mizusaki From (JP): The Suieitaikai From (EU): Party Girls Developer: Tamsoft

Ginnie + Blacky From (JP): The Suiri From (EU): N/A (Detective in ASF's manual) Developer: Tomcat System

Makoto Futaba From (JP): The Gal Mahjong: Love Song (No EU Release!) From (EU): Zombie Hunters Developer: HuneX

Deathdoll Kikashi From (JP): The Splatter Action From (EU): Splatter Master Developer: Vingt-et-Un Systems

Damdo From (JP): The Ishu Kakutougi From (EU): World Fighting Developer: Daft

Aya From (JP): The Oneechanbara From (EU): Zombie Zone Developer: Tamsoft

Kyo Asuka From (JP): The Ninhaza From (EU): Yakuza Fury Developer: Vignt-et-Un Systems

Mayuki From (JP): Kenka Juutou! Yankee Banchou From (EU): Street Boyz Developer: Tamsoft

Source: Gaming Hell