ONI : Road to be the Mightiest Oni

ONI: Road to be the Mightiest Oni is a visually stunning indie game developed by the teams at Kenei Design and Shueisha Games. The game has an intricate storyline and gameplay mechanics that are similar to other popular titles in the 3D adventure genre. ONI, however, has its own unique charm and gameplay style that sets it apart from other games of its kind.

Thanks to its stunning visuals and its amazing gameplay, ONI might be one of the most solid indie action adventures in recent memory.

Setting the Stage

The story of ONI takes place on the island of Kisejima, where the power of local demon spirits lies dormant. The spirits can be drawn out by challenging them to trials, which are battles against ancient demons who were once defeated by Momotaro. Kuuta and Kazemaru team up to take on the challenges of the island and become the mightiest Oni. The game has a unique storyline that is intertwined with the Japanese folklore of Momotaro and his battle against demons.

In terms of the overall setting and plot, ONI reminded me a lot of Capcom's classic Ōkami, and that includes the Japanese-inspired art and presentation.

Fair Challenges

ONI's gameplay is built around challenging the player's tactical and strategic skills. The game features a unique co-op experience where players can control both Kuuta and Kazemaru at the same time, each with their own set of abilities.

The player can level up by running away from pursuing monsters, collecting mushrooms, and completing various challenges like escort missions and defeating enemies. The game's progression system is based on unlocking new weapons, abilities, and perks as the player completes the challenges of the island.

The title's unique approach to character progression offers a refreshing change of pace in this genre.

A World of Art

ONI's artwork by KENEI DESIGN is breathtaking. The game's visuals are characterized by colorful landscapes, lush green meadows, looming forests, and plains of floating megaliths, which create a unique emotional impact unlike any other action game. The game's dynamic lighting system enhances the overall visual quality of the title.

ONI shares similarities with other games in the action genre, such as Hollow Knight and Cuphead. All three games have distinctive art styles, and their gameplay mechanics are built around challenging the player's tactical and strategic skills. All that said, I can't be the only one that feels as if most of ONI's levels look like something that came from a Risk of Rain 2 mod, right?

Still, the game's fascinating setting, compelling characters, and unique character progression system provide some of the most memorable moments I had in an indie 3D action game in a while.

Pros

• Unique co-op experience playing as both Kuuta and Kazemaru simultaneously
• Challenging and engaging gameplay
• Breathtaking Japanese-art-inspired visuals

Cons

• Limited replayability due to the linear nature of the game's storyline and challenges.