WITH Onimusha 3 gracing consoles within the next month, Capcom have released Onimusha Blade Warriors to serve as an appetiser for fans of the series.

Blade Warriors is an ideal game for multi-players as it is not too distant in style and concept from Super Smash Bros. Melee.

The tutorial mode is a good starting point, this will help gamers familiarise themselves with the controls and prepare for battles.

Story mode is the next logical step which involves gamers selecting a character such as Samanosuke and battling through 10 chapters.

Each chapter consists of a battle where gamers are set various challenges such as killing a specific amount of enemies or absorbing a certain number of souls in a set time.

Whilst engaging in battles there are various boxes littered around the stage that have weapons and surprises in that can be used against enemies.

Story mode can be used to strengthen and unlock characters in preparation for multi-player modes.

Unfortunately, it lacks depth for it can be completed in less than half an hour despite the varying levels of difficulty.

Included is an Onimusha 3 trailer confirming that Capcom have another quality title in the making.

Onimusha Blade Warriors is entertaining but does not match Super Smash Bros. Melee in terms of gameplay and the story mode is far too short!

Michael Wilson

PRICE: £29.99

PLAYERS: 1 - 4

AGE RATING: 12+

GENRE: Beat 'Em Up

FORMAT: PS2

GRAPHICS: 19/20

SOUND: 16/20

GAMEPLAY: 17/25

LIFESPAN: 15/25

ORIGINALITY: 5/10

OVERALL: 72%

TOP 10

1 Harry Potter - Prisoner of Azkaban

2 UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal

3 Hitman: Contracts

4 GT4 Prologue

5 Norton Internet Security 2004

6 Pokemon Colosseum

7 McAfee Internet Security V6.0

8 The Suffering

9 Fight Night 2004

10 Sonic Heroes

UPCOMING

hack Mutation (PS2); Asterix and Obelix XXL (GC/PC/GBA); Breakdown (XB); Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (GC); Samurai Warriors (PS2).