Muramasa: The Demon Blade
2009
- role-playing (rpg)
- hack and slash/beat 'em up
- adventure
- action
- fantasy
- historical
- single player
The story
Based on ancient Japanese lore, Murumasa: The Demon Blade plunges players into the mystical Genroku era, ruled by the skilled shogun Tsunayoshi Tokogawa. But this culture is threatened; Tokugawa's thirst for power leads to a conflict over the enormously powerful, though cursed, Demon Blades. Used in hatred, drenched in blood, the cursed blades condemn those who use them to tragedy, madness, and untimely deaths. As chaos spreads, denizens from the netherworld breach their realm as these malevolent swords summon evil spirits -- and the Dragon and Demon Gods as well. Featuring hand-drawn 2D art reflecting the heritage and tone of the storyline, Muramasa: The Demon Blade transports players into a little known mythology, envisioned by the creators of the critically acclaimed Odin Sphere. Players take on the role of a male ninja or female kunoichi, utilizing their ninja prowess to traverse the clever side-scrolling levels that feature vertical progression as well as the traditional horizontal stage advancement.
What it’s like
Hand-drawn watercolour backdrops in ink-wash greens, greys and vermilion give this side-scroller the look of a painted scroll that has come to life, with mist-wrapped forests, lantern-lit towns and shrines hung over deep drops. Sprites move with a fluid, brushed quality, and the combat is fast and cutting, with blades flashing across the screen and blood spraying in bright arcs. The soundtrack leans on traditional Japanese instruments, giving the fights a restless, ceremonial pulse and the quieter stretches a hushed, haunted feel. The mood is lush and melancholy with a dark undertow: cursed weapons, ghosts and a sense that every victory costs something. Action runs in frequent, intense bursts, with graphic violence and plenty of death, though it reads as stylised rather than realistic. Vertical climbing breaks up the horizontal pace, and the rhythm of exploration and sudden fights keeps the tension high. It suits a late evening with the lights low, or a weekend stretch of focused play. It is for players who want striking artwork, sharp action and a gloomy folkloric atmosphere, and it is not for anyone who wants something gentle.
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