|
 The
Japanese think they're really on to something with
their survival horror games that have been well received
recently. So it's only fitting that there's going
to be the odd miss among the hits. Kuon is one of
those misses. It doesn't miss the target by a lot
but enough to knock it firmly down into the "rental"
category.
Kuon
is not a very deep game. It's repetitive, short and
suffers from some control issues which gives the enemy
an unfair advantage despite your best efforts. On
the plus side, it's creepy, bloody and fast paced.
The fact that you can play through the game in one
day (albeit a very long day) and the lack of replay
value forces me to recommend renting this one. Hey,
this game has been around since last year. If you
haven't heard of it by now you have to ask yourself
why.
Girls,
girls, girls. What's the fixation with Japanese girls
and haunted mansions? As Japanese tradition would
dictate, in this horror game you get to play as a
girl. Make that two. Utsuki and Sakuya are the two
main playable characters. Both are compelled to investigate
the mysterious disappearances of the residents of
Fujiwara manor. Utsuki is accompanied by her ill sister,
while Sakuya brings in a group of priests, going for
that religious angle. Set in the past, there are no
modern conveniences such as electricity or flashlights.
Both girls make their way through the mansion with
low illuminating lanterns which do little to reveal
the horrors that lurk among the shadows.
Magic
and weapons are your only defense against a creature
known as the Gaki. They are a flesh-devouring species
that look like tortured and deformed humans. You will
find magic cards throughout the mansion which will
give you access to various spells. Magic is best used
for ranged combat. You can fire projectiles such as
fireballs or summon spirits to fight for you.
 Weapons
such as swords make perfect ranged weapons. You can
essentially "hot key" your magic attacks
and weapons to the face buttons for easy access. Unfortunately
there are some delays between commands and execution.
Using magic takes longer than it should. You can only
lock-on to the enemy when you're facing a certain
angle and even then commands are delay by fraction
of a second. You'll find that the weapons have a more
immediate feel to them although you will also take
unnecessary hits since the characters are very slow
to turn around.
Aside
from the ghouls you'll also have to look out for tempests
which are negative energy vortexes that will rob you
of your health, stamina and sanity. These areas are
like traps and may cause you to run when confronted
with horrific images. The screen will become blurry
as you begin to lose energy. Possessing the ability
to meditate, you can heal yourself and regain your
composure when subjected to such situations.
Once
you complete one character's story you have to play
through the same chapter as the other character. You
will encounter a few new NPCs and some different paths
and clues but for the most part you will encounter
the same enemies at the same places at the same times
using the similar spells and weapons. This makes for
a very redundant game. Only after you complete the
two girls' story can you move on to the third chapter
which is somewhat different.
The
blood does flow and there are plenty of chills and
thrills to experience. Despite a haunting nursery
rhyme that serves as the theme the game is void of
music which adds to the tension and highlights the
sound effects of footsteps and ungodly noises in the
distance. Voiceacting is performed in both English
and Japanese, with the English actually good enough
to listen to.
 I'm
not blown away by the graphics but they are consistent.
Consistently shrouded in darkness I should mention.
The mansion, the costumes and the mannerisms of all
portrayed manage to whisk you away to another time.
The monsters aren't horrifying but they beg to be
sliced and diced.
Kuon
isn't going to make anyone's list for Game of the
Year. Even if the controls were perfected the gameplay
would need at least another five to eight hours of
fresh content - and some features to extend the replay
value would be a welcome addition.
|
I
can't believe Halloween is almost here. I know there
are a lot of people that love this time of year…the
weather, the fun houses and haunted houses. I never
really understood why some people keep calling them
fun houses. Fun Houses have mirrors and a glass door
maze and fun things or really dumb things. Haunted
houses are made to scare the hell out of you. It may
be fun but during the walk through some of those places
it can be pretty intense. Of course Vaughn likes Halloween.
It's the only time of the year he can wear his Mario
or Spider-Man outfits and walk around the neighborhood
without needing to explain why a grown man would even
own those outfits. (Editor - You'd be fired
if I could find anyway to disprove your horrible allegations
- Vaughn) Of course there is the candy factor
but let's face it, people like this time of year because
they can be scared. Fear and the feeling of being
scared jacks up your adrenaline. It's a rush just
like someone who is into extreme sports except it's
a little easier and less dangerous. For fans of these
sorts of games Kuon looks like it's going to be the
one to beat in the scare department. 
Kuon
is based on a Japanese story and it will offer fans
of horror games a view unlike most that fit into this
genre. Gamers won't be able to hide from some of the
scary or intense situations by hiding behind the camera
angle of the game. Most survival/horror games have
featured the angle that tricks players into thinking
they are in the game. In Kuon players will be in the
game. No camera tricks and if you enjoy being scared,
it sounds like this is the one for you. The basic
story is about the same as you would expect. A father
is missing and the two sisters go out to find him.
One of the sisters becomes possessed by demons that
are in a dark and eerie village. While the basic plot
sounds like a lot of the other games that have been
released, this one throws players right into the battles.
A wide range of weapons and spells can be used although
at first you need to find them. The only downside
of this game so far is the way you collect the spells.
You will find them in certain places in the form of
cards. It is not known if the game will make you play
the card or if after finding the card, it is ready
to use. From the looks of the early screen shots and
the info I found it appears to be the second of the
two. 
The
game has some intense areas and the term blood bath
has been used to describe some of the intense action.
The game is also going to use the Japanese scenery
and location to play on your fears. People have a
pre-conceived notion of what the Japanese life-style
and ancient weapons and history are about. This works
against the North American gamer and is done on purpose.
The game seems to have some great graphics which will
probably be used to set gamers up. Another feature
is the fact that it starts out using those cheesy
ways of scary you. Early reports from those who had
a chance to play a few of the first levels all said
the game relies on these sorts of scare tactics. From
the screen shots it sure looks like more than loud
sound effects to scare gamers. Kuon may just be the
perfect game for Halloween. 
