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PlayStation VitaRole-PlayingAction RPGMuramasa RebirthHomeWikiCheatsReviewsImagesVideosMy GamesAnswersBoardREVIEW BY AEGIS_RUNESTONE"One of the best action-RPGs of this year."

Muramasa - The Demon Blade was released on the Wii, developed by Vanillaware in2009. It is considered to be a "lost gem" of the Wii console as it was an incredible game with stunning graphics and addictive gameplay. Now, Muramasa Rebirth was released for the PS Vita in 2013 with improved gameplay aspects, a better translation, and even smoother graphics.

Let the reader know that Muramasa Rebirth is the same game as Muramasa - The Demon Blade, save the changes mentioned. This review will actually start with the changes in the game and then move onto the typical aspects seen in reviews.

-=Changes=-

- A far better translation of the dialogue. The original Muramasa suffered from

a horrible translation--one of its greatest flaws. However, Muramasa Rebirth remedied that problem with a improved English localization. The new translation clarifies the storyline, making it easier to follow, and even reveals some things that the Wii Version could not.

- A jump button. This is a simple change, but welcomed by most Muramasa fans. The jump button replaces the Wii's 'press up on the stick' jump, and allows for smoother gameplay. However, if a player wishes to use the stick for jumping, theycan as shown in the next change.

- Remapping buttons. In Rebirth, there is the option to remap the buttons for the player's save file. What is remapping? Remapping is changing the original button setup to the player's needs. For instance, the dodge button is often changed

to "R" by many players. The R button allows for an easier use of evasion withouthaving to use the crouch position and stick button. Remapping the buttons is avery welcome feature to Muramasa Rebirth.

- The Caves of Evil (once called 'Enemy Lairs') are now better marked on the map. Even if a player breaks a barrier on the cave, the color of the Cave will still show up. This is a wonderful feature as it allows players to know what Caves they have defeated and which they have not. Also, after defeating a cave, an orange X appears over the Cave's icon on the map.

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- Smoother graphics. On the PS Vita version, many jagged lines have been removed, creating a more beautiful game. More about that will be discussed in the graphics section.

-=Graphics 10/10=-

The graphics for this 2D side-scroller are surprisingly gorgeous. One person described the graphics as "like a painting." Such statements speak for Muramasa's use of graphics. The illustrations for the food that the player can cook or can eat at a restaurant are beautiful and very realistic. There have been some remarks that the pictures of the food make players actually hungry.

The backgrounds for the games are undoubtfully lovely as well. Each place makesthe player feel like they are actually in that location. Caverns are dark and deary with little light; Cherry Blossom trees look realistic and beautiful with the nightsky behind them. Little things like bamboo tress being cut down or grassbeing slashed when a player attacks make the game seem even greater.

The combat graphics are smooth, clear, and beautiful. The sprites for both characters are well-drawn to the point that they just look like miniature versions ofthe characters' artwork. The motions of the attacks, the paintings of the Secret Arts improve the game's look immensely.

-=Gameplay 8.5/10=-

The gameplay to Muramasa is extremely addictive. Although repetitive, many battles with enemies may require more skill than hack'n'slash as many of the AIs aredangerous, especially on Chaos difficulty (the hard mode). There are also many,many swords, each with a unique Secret Art to make use of. As the player progresses through the game, they increase in level, raising their strength and vitality--stats required to wield certain swords. Swords are forged, and require a certain number of Spirit (received by eating food from the player's items or at restaurants) and a certain number of Souls (received by collecting stray souls and killing enemies) to be forged.

Certain blades cannot be forged and are obtained by killing bosses. These bladesopen the way to forge more swords that the player can use.

The addition to gameplay that Rebirth brings to the table is remappable buttonsas stated above in the changes. The player is given the option to set the buttons in the way they they desire, making the game personal to themselves.

The gameplay does suffer from a dangerous flaw--backtracking. Although this canbe mostly remedied by using a Bronze Mirror (which warps the player back to thelast shrine they visited), there's still a fair amount of backtracking that maybore the player. Repetitive battles on the easiest difficulty may also bore players.

However, overall, the gameplay is simply fantastic.

-=Sound/Music 10/10=-

The music in this game is just plain beautiful; I know the word is beaing overused in this review, but it difficult to find another to describe it. The music adds to the graphics a sense of immenersion of being in the Genroku-Edo time period of Japan. One thing that makes the music unique in this game is that the background music changes when the player enters a battle. It's a similar tune, only more intense to describe the scene of carnage about to take place (AKA battle).

The sounds for the sword slashes, Secret Arts, and the character's voices are we

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ll-done and near perfect. The voice actors and actresses make the characters sound real, and this is not just for the Playable Characters alone--but also for the NPCs!

-=Story 8.5/10=-

The story is, overall, fantastic. There's two stories to follow: one of PrincessMomohime, and the other of the ninja Kisuke.

Momohime's story from the beginning has depth and interest, especially with theinteractions between three characters: Jinkuro, Momohime, and Kongiku (Jinkuro'sservant). The different ways they react to each other make an entertaining story.

The aspect that makes Momohime's story so interesting is the chemistry between Jinkuro and herself. They don't like each other at first, but soon grow fond of each other.

Kisuke's story is less interesting because it seems to be the cliche "I lost memory, why is everyone trying to kill me?" story. However, once the player discovers HOW he lost his memory, then Kisuke's story gains depth and interest.

Finally, there are diverse endings in each story, which will not be discussed in-depth in order to avoid spoilers. However, it does require the completiong of b

oth characters' stories to move on.

The flaw in the storyline, however, is mainly Kisuke's story, which, as stated,seems boring and cliche at the beginning. If there had been more foreshadowing of why he lost his memory, it would have been a more interesting storyline.

-=Replayability 8.5/10=-

Muramasa Rebirth has a strong replayability for a 2D side-scroller without stages (save "boss stages"). There are many things to do in Muramasa such as conquering optional places of challenge known as "Caves of Evil." These places give rewards, but only if the player decides to fight them.

The diverse endings change the course of the game, and will make the player wantto see all of them for themselves.

Finally, after a certain time in the game, bosses can be refought by their respective character or the opposite character for prizes, and experience.

-=Overall 9/10=-

Muramasa Rebirth, like it's predecessor--The Demon Blade--offers a unique and fun game to play. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it certainly is a greatgame worthy of at least one attempt. Regardless, most fans of action-RPGs willnot be disappointed with this title.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10 | Originally Posted: 07/10/13

Game Release: Muramasa Rebirth (US, 06/25/13)

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GAME DETAIL

PlayStation VitaVanillaware / Aksys GamesRelease: Jun 25, 2013 Also Known As: Oboro Muramasa (JP, KO, AS)T - Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older.

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