Oninaki Review - Journey to Protect Life after Death
Not all developers dare to try new things. Because
risking herbs and formulas that tasted sweet in the past do not determine their
work today has the same sweet taste. Maybe that's what is now at stake by the
Tokyo RPG Factory. Success with the formula of sadness at I Am Setsuna with
difficult choices and despair, they again made success at Lost Sphear sadly
forgotten. This time, sadness is also their weapon in the third game, Oninaki
who raised his sadness left dead.
Taking the theme of death seems to be a shortcut to be
swept away in the sad story of Oninaki. For those of us who are currently
wasting life to want to appreciate it more. Teach us not to sulk and be sincere
when left dear to another world. Which, they will be processed until finally
reborn or towards a better world. However, has the Tokyo RPG Factory succeeded
in conveying the sad and moral story of death in Oninaki this time?
Watcher, Forces Who are Skilled Fighters
Oninaki tells about a boy named Kagachi who was left by
his parents when he was a child. He then joins the Watchers, a group of
individuals trained in special forces who help curious spirits who have not yet
finished their business to be reincarnated by going to the world of the dead.
This army is led by Kushi, father of Kagachi's childhood friend Mayura who
continues to maintain the reincarnation circle so that it runs well. They can
see things that humans cannot, or cool language, Indigo.
Not only lead the spirit to reincarnation, but the
Watchers are also experts in fighting against monsters that flood the world of
the dead. Therefore they are equipped with fighting abilities and weapons to
carry out their mission. In other words, they are a combination of the people
we call indigo and truth-defense forces who are trained to kill monsters.
In each of his missions, Kagachi will meet various
curious spirits, solve their cases, and uncover the mystery behind the people
who approach him. Including a child's spirit who met him when Kagachi's parents
died.
Explore Two Very Dangerous Worlds
As a watcher, Kagachi can move between the world of the
dead and the world of the living. In the world of the dead Kagachi will be able
to mingle with curious spirits and ask the problem to help them reincarnate.
Meanwhile, if he is in the world of the living, then Kagachi will be able to
detect several spirits that are still not reincarnated with white silhouettes.
You can help them by going to the world of the dead and communicating with
them. Sometimes, these spirits do not realize that they are dead just like the
spirits of children who can be found at the beginning of the game. Some spirits
who are not immediately reincarnated because they are not aware that they are
dead or may still have wishes that have not been fulfilled will make them turn
into a monster named Fallen.
The world of the dead and the living can be said to be
parallel or interconnected. This is reinforced by similar types of monsters,
even a mini-boss named Sight Stealer who will open your way further in the
world of the dead will be the same as you encounter in the world of the living.
What makes it different is that in the world of the dead, you will be able to
feel different effects. For example, critical attacks continuously, so if you
attack first, if you will get a bonus HP.
Cut Down All Your Enemies!
Unlike the previous Tokyo RPG Factory game that tried to
adapt the mechanics like Chrono Trigger, Oninaki adapted the action as themechanism. For you to be able to attack and avoid enemy attacks like Dark Souls
or Ys series. Whether your attack is fast or not depends on the weapon you are
using.
You can also strengthen yourself with a Manifest that can
be applied by pressing L1 or LT. Manifest can be done if the affinity point
listed in the lower-left corner of the screen has reached 100%. He will remain
in a certain amount even though you have changed weapons and as long as they
are not used. Being in Manifest mode will speed up and strengthen your attack
as well as your critical.
I am very happy when I can enjoy the new mechanics from
turn-based to action. This means that the pace of the game will be faster to
move on to the next story. On the other hand, action gameplay will test my
dexterity and expertise if I can avoid enemy attacks and memorize the pattern.
Give certain satisfaction when successfully defeating enemies who are quite
challenging. Although sometimes, the boss is indeed quite difficult to beat.
Just like other action games, the speed and accuracy of decision making is the
most important key in the battle. This is because enemies do not only attack
one by one, but together.
A New Way to Present a Save Point
The very dangerous concept of two worlds has also changed
some JRPG elements that we have known so far. Savepoint for example, which will
be replaced by a monument named waystone. Approaching it will restore your HP
and drive away the enemies who are chasing you.
Uniquely, you can only change parties, difficulty levels,
fast travel, and watch the Daemon story. A very different menu compared to your
equipment menu. Where you will be able to check character status, change
equipment, settings, and improve Daemon skills.
In the middle of the story, you will be introduced to
Alchemy. The only feature that will completely replace the features of your
weapon equipment. Yes, you won't be able to buy weapons at all and have to look
for them in the dungeon. Each weapon can be upgraded via Alchemy NPC to the
maximum level.
You can also make weapons through the Transmute menu by
combining other weapons according to the required points. So, you can never
make weapons from iron ore or other mineral stones. Make it unique and complex
because you need to work hard to kill lots of monsters and grinding for a drop.
The Transmute recipe will also change per 100 kills. I advise you to change the
difficulty level to Maniac to continue to get a drop. But you need to know, the
enemy will be more brutal than usual, including the boss.
In a very rare situation, you will find a white shadow
which they call is quite simple namely Shadow. Shadow appears when you are in
the world of the living. Riding it and immediately moving to the world of the
dead will bring you together with a fallen special. Defeating him will give you
rare gifts starting from weapons or other things. But you must immediately
defeat him, because he can run away and it will be very difficult to meet him
again. From my personal experience, I only met once to finish the game.
Daemon, Your Special Spirit and Your Protector
Speaking of weapons, it's incomplete if you don't talk
about Daemon. Simply put, Daemon is an embodiment of a class that you can use.
According to the game's story, he is a special spirit that cannot be
reincarnated at all. These Daemons also don't have memories of their past.
Daemons can be found with a green mark on the map in the
world of the dead. So, for example you are still in the world of the living and
finding the green mark on the map, then you need to go to the world of the dead
to get it.
There are a total of 11 Daemons that you can get until
the game is over. But only 10 that you can get one way. While the 11th Daemon
can only be obtained after you finish the game and reload your last save.
As explained earlier that Daemon is an embodiment of
class. Some skills can also be improved. The method is to use the stone weapon
or null stone that you get. Rock weapons such as Sword Stone, Spear Stone, etc.
can be obtained by continuously using your Daemon. While you can get a null
stone from the treasure box or drop a monster. So, for example you want to
improve your first Daemon's ability, Aisha who uses the sword, then you have to
use it often to get the Sword Stone. But you can also increase it by using null
stones if you don't have a Sword Stone.
Increasing the Daemon skill will also add levels. There
are 10 levels that you must improve. The higher the level thanks to the passive
skills that you increase, the stronger and faster your attacks. Some skills
that you use often will also be able to give certain effects called "Awakening".
There are four effect slots that you can add to your skills. For example, Stun,
or HP recovery. All can be opened only by using it as often as possible.
Memory loss does not mean you cannot see and restore
Daemons' memories. There are at least four Daemon Stories that you can open in
each Daemon. Each story will be opened through the skill tree. Watching it will
open new skills that are not yet open in the skill tree. The average story is
very sad, ranging from the love story of a lifelong semant, to the arrogance
that makes them have to die and become your Daemon. Inspire your compassion for
the fate of those who cannot be reincarnated and must be your
"servants". On the other hand, they are also human beings who still
have reason.
Sadness that Often Comes to You
Not only Daemon who has a sad story, everything related
to Oninaki has a lot of sad stories that surround it. This formula is the
weapon of the Tokyo RPG Factory to attract fans to play the game. The many sad
stories also indirectly remind you to continue to love your loved ones and not
sulking and sincere when left. But on the other hand, it also gives compassion
to others. There are so many causes of death, from murder, death due to
illness, dying, and cannot die, to political interference.
Kagachi's journey as a watcher, or his police
reincarnation, makes him the most absolute legal determinant in the world. You
will meet various cases where those left behind are not willing. Makes spirits
unable to reincarnate. Until the soul story that still has the last wish can
only be reincarnated when your wish is granted. Some spirits who still do not
accept that he is dead will turn into a creature called Fallen, an evil monster
who is ready to finish you. Not only Fallen, some humans who cause trouble will
also be your enemy. Simply, you will be charged as a detective and exterminator
monster, yeah something like Geralt in The Witcher.
Kagachi's duty is the most important, but Tokyo RPG
Factory does not leave his personal story to uncover who your main enemy is,
Night Devil. Kagachi who was left by his parents was raised by Kushi and his
son, Mayura. As the story progresses, you will be led to some controversy. The
mysteries surrounding the game will also be more clearly revealed, one of which
is how reincarnation works in the Oninaki world.
The story is arguably slow-burn for those of you who like
stories to the point. You will be invited to tour to fully understand the
duties of a Watcher. Not infrequently, you will also be shown Kagachi
professionalism carrying out their duties. Until finally you will focus on your
personal story.
There are three endings in the game, starting from Good,
Normal, and Bad. You don't need to complete certain challenges to achieve it.
Because all choices are at the end of the story. So, you don't need to kill 300
monsters or get something to see and just need to choose at the end of the
story.
Where's The Music?
Oninaki's focus on the complexity of the gameplay seems
to make them rarely present music. Not that the world is empty without music,
but its appearance is quite rare to make it different. Some music will only
appear when fighting boss, sight stealer, or when you do Manifest. Make the
world feel lonely and empty. Expressing the quality of music that is very good
when sung.
Fresh and Very Potential, but
Of the many JRPGs I played, maybe Oninaki became one of
the many games that made me feel flawed. Especially with the relatively high
price on Steam, it makes me question why it can be like this. Overall, the
quality is quite okay and potential. But specifically, in reality not so.
From the technical problems I experienced in the PC
version for example (because I use the PC version to review it). Where it
appears that either the Tokyo RPG Factory or the Square-Enix ported to the PC
does not synchronize the controller properly. That this can only be solved by
downloading a custom override button script for DualShock 4 users made by fans.
Besides you have to turn off the PlayStation 4 / Xbox support controller in the
Steam settings, then connect the controller so that the LT / RT or L2 / R2
buttons function properly.
Then, what if the controller is disconnected or suddenly
the connection is lost from the PC? Then inevitably you have to exit the game,
pull out your controller and connect it again while Steam is still running then
open the game again. If not? Then the controller button will be chaotic, even
though you pressed it correctly.
The loss of ability to buy items will also give you
problems when your potions run out. You need to find a save point to return
your cellphone to normal. Moreover, potions can only be obtained from monster
drops or treasure chests. Forcing you to change difficulty to maniac for the
sake of a drop potion. This can be overcome by increasing the drop rate of only
potions from monsters, so you don't need any trouble when suddenly having to
fight the boss.
A fairly broad level design with lots of monsters is
indeed very satisfying for those who love grinding. But so vast and numerous,
as if you could not help but have to finish them all before reaching the goal
of your story. Moreover, the design of the two worlds is more or less the same.
What makes it different is just the effect and color. Some level angles are
also lacking in giving certain items or things to make it more interesting to
explore. Tokyo RPG Factory should be able to think more mature about this by
providing rare items, different enemy designs, or maybe the secret behind its
world more than having to copy-paste and change the color alone plus give
effect.
With such a level design, Tokyo RPG Factory indirectly
forces players to do grinding with super long drop rates. Shadow's very limited
presence also inhibits the grinding process. How not, he is only available in
the world of living people with a very rare presence. The developer should
consider that he can also appear in the world of the dead, or at least increase
the average attendance.
Increasing the skills of each Daemon is indeed quite
exciting, because it can arouse curiosity about what skills are suitable for
you to use later. But at the same time, it's also annoying. Because the
animation unlocks skills can not be discs at all. Especially when Daemon's
level rises, you have to wait a fraction of a second to be able to continue
unlocking other skills. Imagine if for example you have the potential for
example 10 skills that you can open in 10 Daemons and have to wait for the
music and animation, until the 10th Eid is also not finished yet. I can not say
anything other than suggesting them to provide skip features.
The story of the world is indeed very interesting and has
the potential to be explored again. But Tokyo RPG Factory seems reluctant to do
it. The introduction of Watcher, which is felt to be sufficiently continued to
the story of why they gave the title Oninaki or which in Japanese has the title
Oni no naku Kuni which, if translated literally into a country/world where Oni
does not exist. They did not explore further heresies, but only pointed out,
"This is Watcher's job, there are various cases that can make reincarnation
fail, so let's go on to Kagachi's story".
The side quests are various, but not as detailed and
interesting as some of the main story fillers that are continuous. The death of
certain characters also does not have a sad effect on players because the bonds
they build are not shown very strongly. It makes me ask, "why should I be
sad to see one of these important characters die?" The initial scene when
Kagachi rescues a little boy's soul and the last moment of an old woman who is
just an ordinary NPC when she dies, leaves her husband, even more, touching
than the scene. Making the sad effect produced by I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphear
cannot be beaten by Oninaki. Meanwhile, Kagachi's own story that was
predictable from the start made my curiosity disappear. Until finally covered
thanks to a twist that I could not have guessed.
Daemon's story is a very interesting addition. He told a
sad story during his life and eventually died. But unfortunately, it becomes
less comfortable to enjoy because the rest of the story is in the chapter after
the fourth chapter meets you. The lack of purpose, the relationship with
Watcher, or even Kagachi himself makes it only limited as an attractive spice.
It would be better if he has the end after you finish the game. What's more
there are 10, plus 1 to 11 if you have finished. Which means there are a total
of 44 Daemon Stories that have no use at all. Imagine wasted time wasted just
to arouse your curiosity.
The content after completing the game is also quite
useless. The developer added an extra dungeon and a new Daemon named Jex that
you can only get after completing the game. Jex is quite special because it can
use all of Daemon's abilities. The dungeon contains all the monsters that you
have met to challenge you to test your abilities. Makes me re-question the
function of both content. "So, why do you add a new Daemon if you can only
use it after the game is finished?"
Conclusion
Oninaki tries to bring something new to the JRPG world.
Although the mechanics of the action are too general, Daemon's theme and model
as a fairly new class makes it one of its potentials. Unfortunately, the story
of Daemon only becomes a mere seasoning without continuation.
The rush of the Tokyo RPG Factory is working on the game
also seems very clear. It was proven that they did not explore it deeper,
making the world of life and death feel the same without meaningful side
quests. This affects the world lore becomes less dense. For him only focus on
the story of Kagachi that has been worked out neatly enough. Meanwhile, the
side story feels normal and doesn't seem to support it.
The developer effort to follow the sad story they
presented in their two previous games deserves a thumbs up. But unfortunately,
the bonds between the characters are less so in making the NPC story even more
touching than the main character.
Some technical problems for the PC version for them
seemed to have no intention of working on the game ported. Impressed to be a
game that was done in a hurry. The endgame content is also less interesting. As
if felt forced and not rewarding at all.
Indeed, the game itself isn't a big game like Final Fantasy, but this Tokyo-based studio should be able to backup other big
Square-Enix games when they're focused on their main franchise.
For the time being, I don't recommend you to enjoy it,
considering that the price is almost equivalent to AAA games. However, if you
want to taste the classic JRPG game with a fairly fresh and unique idea that is
different from the others, then Oninaki can be your choice.