Swords, blood, underage girls and waggle: Hands-on with Onechanbara (Wii)
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Oct 27th 2008 at 6:45PM }
It makes sense that these girls will have to undress and get down to their bikinis. Why? They're just soaked in so much blood. Enemies get cut up real well in Bikini Zombie Slayers, with body parts and gore simply flying all over the place. The cartoonish, over-the-top violence continues Wii's strange penchant for these kind of games (e.g. No More Heroes, Madworld).
Onechanbara is a feast for fans of dismemberment (but not the "strategic" kind found in Dead Space). It took us by surprise how easy it is to pick up the controller and start cutting bodies in half; in fact, it may be a bit too easy. The secret to success? Hold down the Z button and waggle the controller up and down. Saki locks on to the nearest enemy and starts hacking away. So long as the Z button is held down, she'll just continue killing everything in sight.
"Different swings of the Wii remote resulted in different sword strikes, but it seemed unnecessary to put any more thought into the combat." |
The enemies didn't try to hinder our onslaught in any way. Different swings of the Wii Remote resulted in different kinds of sword attacks, but it seemed unnecessary to put any more thought into the combat. There were two things we had to take note of: how much blood was covering our sword, and how much blood was covering our girl. When a sword is fully caked in blood, it will get stuck in enemies. To clean a sword, players must hold both A and B and shake their controller.
Players must also watch out for how much blood is covering their girl. If she becomes too blood-soaked, she'll enter Rage Mode. If you predicted that she'll become stronger and turn blonde in Rage Mode, then you get a point. Her attacks will not only get stronger, but she'll get faster as well. Watch out for Rage Mode, though. The powers you gain are balanced by a draining health bar.
Although the graphics on the Wii version are very PS2-era, we're pleased to note the framerate holds up quite well, in spite of the large number of enemies (and enemy parts) on screen. As seemingly endless hordes of enemies continued to spawn on screen, we found that our furious Wii Remote shaking had made our forearms sore. And ultimately, we're sure that's exactly what Onechanbara is set out to do. Well, D3, let us be first to say, "Mission Complete."
Expect Onechanbara on Wii and 360 in early 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shagittarius @ Oct 27th 2008 6:49PM
Or as I like to call it Wontbebuyin.
Esat Dedezade @ Oct 27th 2008 6:55PM
ISWYDT!
&rew @ Oct 27th 2008 6:54PM
I very much doubt this game will be good, but this will sell billions, gaming hit a new low...
Esat Dedezade @ Oct 27th 2008 6:56PM
Billions? I doubt it. The only game that would sell a billion copies would be a game called:
Boobies.
That is all.
Moptimus Slime @ Oct 27th 2008 7:13PM
I totally agree. This game officially marks the death of Hardcore Gaming as we know it. Say good bye to such games as FallOut 3, Gears 2, God of War 3, HALO 3: Recon, Fable 2, LittleBigPlanet and many others. Im sure those games will soon be canceled so their developers can immediately start working on Barbie Horse Adventurz 2: Electric Boogaloo and Bratz Girlz Poniez Rockz.
Farewell Hardcore Gaming, I knew thee well.
&rew @ Oct 27th 2008 7:19PM
Actually, that would sell 3 billion (the approximant amount of men on earth).
Markez @ Oct 27th 2008 7:59PM
"This game officially marks the death of Hardcore Gaming as we know it." You are so, so stupid.
Anticrawl @ Oct 27th 2008 8:13PM
Boobies? That will flop!
Now Booty, that's gonna be a success.
UltimateQ @ Oct 27th 2008 9:29PM
Yeah, because all of the games listed above are "hardcore" games. I haven't considered games to become hardcore ever since consoles took over the market. Its all dumbed down.
They'd rather make a game with flashy graphics, than with thought provoking game play. Civilization is a "hardcore" game, but its grossly unpopular (to young gamers) because the dumb-as-fuck young generation can't handle anything that hard. They'd rather have generic game play, that feels similar or exactly the same as their previous favorite(s). I've practically given up on gaming, its a lost cause, with a few exceptions.
I will admit little big planet looked interesting and original enough. But lets face it, What seems like a large majority of games are practical clones of successful games from the past. I won't say names because fanboys will get butt hurt, they always do.
As for grammar, spelling etc. I don't care, go ahead and eat my giant sweaties if you don't like it.
SoulBlade @ Oct 27th 2008 10:48PM
If you guys think this is the death of "hardcore" gaming you're just ignoring some garbage games like DoA Volleyball and BMX XXX. I didn't want to put them in the same title as garbage, Guitar Hero and Rock Band are also very far from hardcore (yes they can be difficult, but so can a lot of games that get bashed here) and would also be contributing to the demise.
Your so called "hardcore" games will continue to be made as long as they are profitable and there's demand. However, if gamers constantly want development time spent on graphical upgrades and expensive technology and won't call it hardcore otherwise, then you're going to see less of them as time goes on.
BananaBoat @ Oct 27th 2008 11:29PM
Boobies > Booty
Nuff Said.
Also Pirates > Ninjas
And if this game is $20 < I'll be buying it.
If we stop buying import games like Katamari and this...they'll stop importing them. Do your civic duty, men! In the future, maybe we'll even get an Idolmaster import!! WHO KNOWS?!??!
fred @ Oct 28th 2008 12:37AM
"I haven't considered games to become hardcore ever since consoles took over the market. Its all dumbed down."
wut
Strike Man @ Oct 27th 2008 6:56PM
"...you can do just that to Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers. The upcoming Wii/360 action game..."
Is Bikini Zombie Slayers coming to both 360 and Wii? I was under the impression that the Wii was getting that title while the 360 was to get Bikini Samurai Squad...
samfish @ Oct 28th 2008 12:01AM
You are correct. It's not the same game. The 360 is getting the prequel and the Wii is getting the newest one.
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Oct 27th 2008 7:01PM
I'm pretty sure that "underage girls and waggle" will get you arrested.
jimmygotsmack @ Oct 27th 2008 7:06PM
Waggling to underage girls? I think somewhere in japan someone made a game like that already.
LameDuck @ Oct 27th 2008 7:08PM
If not, you just made some Japanese game dev a billionaire.
thediminished5th @ Oct 27th 2008 7:27PM
"I'm pretty sure that 'underage girls and waggle' will get you arrested."
Why don't you have a seat over there...
Dovi @ Oct 27th 2008 7:51PM
I'd let her clean the blood off my sword any day.
Markez @ Oct 27th 2008 8:28PM
@ Dovi, that is just, so, awful... I'm torn between laughing or shaking my head in disgust...
samfish @ Oct 28th 2008 12:03AM
"I'd let her clean the blood off my sword any day."
Shit, I couldn't top this if I tried! Most awesome comment!
LameDuck @ Oct 27th 2008 7:03PM
Wait... Tell me again why we're above superficial games? For every Romeo and Juliette you need a Caddy Shack or American Pie. I mean... come on. Swords and zombies with some bikini clad girls thrown in for the heck of it. All this game is missing is a little figure of the main character that you can pose.
Call me what you want, but I'm not above having pointless, sexist fun with my 300 bux game system. I a man, damn it, and I'm tired of being told it's wrong for me to enjoy playing a game with a zombie killing schoolgirl in a bikini. If you disagree with that, go cry to Hilary Clinton.
zuburi @ Oct 27th 2008 7:16PM
Did you honestly just put American Pie on the same level as Caddyshack?!
LameDuck @ Oct 27th 2008 7:21PM
No. Just saying that it isn't deep like Romeo and Juliette. Personally, Caddy Shack>American Pie. End of story.
Markez @ Oct 27th 2008 8:00PM
Can I call you Hilary Clinton?
Dovi @ Oct 27th 2008 11:00PM
At least American Pie isn't about pedophilia. (unlike Romeo and Juliet.)
LameDuck @ Oct 28th 2008 12:20AM
*facepalm* Romeo and Juliette isn't about pedophilia. It's about star-crossed lovers. Now, if you mean that people *Read as: Self-righteous rtards.* think that Romeo is a pedo, you would be right but still stupid.
Juliette's age was chosen because the sonnet has a 14 line body, in earlier works she was 16, and what does it matter? We, as a people, have not always though that anyone under the age of 18 was too stupid to deal with a relationship. Granted, 13 and 18-21 is a huge age gap, but that was a different time.
Don't be such a prude, it's only words on a sheet of paper.
Orcef @ Oct 28th 2008 7:10AM
"At least American Pie isn't about pedophilia."
Wasn't that movie about a bunch of teenagers having sex?
Necki @ Oct 28th 2008 12:22PM
actually if you check out the link in ryan's post above then you will see in fact that the game does seem to have a pose mode,
- quote "unique dress-up mode unlocks costumes and accessories and more"
link for those unable to scroll up (http://12tb.com/lookup/VideoGames/11846801/B001EOQV9U/Onechanbara:_Bikini_Samurai_Squad)
LameDuck @ Oct 28th 2008 5:21PM
lol Wut? No ones debating pose mode, Necki. I did miss that feature and glad you pointed it out! I'll be buying this just because people are so aganst games like this. That and you can't go wrong with bikini girls, swords, and zombies.
Jawmuncher @ Oct 27th 2008 7:14PM
I'll be buying this on 360.
Can't go wrong with bikini's and zombies!
yoin_choco @ Oct 27th 2008 7:17PM
She might as well not wear any clothes to begin with. While I'm always up for zombies, blood, and dismemberment, this game doesn't catch my attention. Maybe because killing zombies isn't the only main focus; we need to think about the girl~!!! Although... this blood meter for the sword is interesting; seems more realistic?!
For now, I'll just stick with some DMC or Dead Space.
Mr Khan @ Oct 27th 2008 7:17PM
Seems like NMH then, in the sense that while you have the ability to vary up the combat, there's little incentive to do so
I keep seeing Nico Robin (of One Piece fame) in that one protagonist, the one with the hat.
Blazur @ Oct 27th 2008 7:34PM
What the fracking hell is this crap?!?
Dovi @ Oct 27th 2008 7:52PM
Needs bigger swords
Silicon Siren @ Oct 27th 2008 8:19PM
That's what she said!
Dovi @ Oct 27th 2008 8:27PM
and then I said I was sorry I didn't have more than one.
michas_pi @ Oct 27th 2008 8:16PM
I want this game.
Jimiisama @ Oct 27th 2008 8:38PM
I hope the controls are one-handed.
Trickob @ Oct 28th 2008 12:35AM
they DID say that their forearms were sore after playing...
Pedobear @ Oct 27th 2008 8:41PM
I'm interested.
Levi @ Oct 28th 2008 3:03AM
I think that schoolgirl is a little too old for you Pedobear.
FSK405K @ Oct 27th 2008 8:48PM
Wii can't calculate realistic looking blood so Wii have artistically startling over-the-top blood instead.
Au @ Oct 27th 2008 10:05PM
I'd onee-chan her bara, if you know what I mean.
Au @ Oct 27th 2008 10:09PM
(I meant that I'd have a respectful conversation with her about socio-economic globalization pangs on a world scale... incase anyone misunderstood me).
samfish @ Oct 28th 2008 12:07AM
This series is generally known as a horrible, horrible series...but there's no way I'm not going to buy this!
If you're a guy and you don't buy it they'll come for your manhood in the middle of the night with a jack axe and a saw!
JudgeX @ Oct 28th 2008 5:21PM
Short Answer: If this game were on PS3 or XBOX360, it would be hailed as awesomesauce.
Long Answer: The "hardcore gaming" crowd of today consists of a bunch of people that consider "Halo" and "Gears of War" hardcore or original, when in fact, these games were old news when they came out to actual "hardcore gamers". You guys care more about getting on here and applauding your favorite console system more than you care about what's actually important in a video game.
This kind of game does not take itself seriously. It is to entertain and arouse. If you don't want to be entertained or aroused because you need your ego stroked about how awesome at playing green-armor-man-with-rocket-launchers you are.
Drop your raving console fanboyism for 18 seconds, and realize that the "hardcore gaming experience" you're on about exists on all 3 major consoles right now, but more importantly, the PC is where it REALLY is, and will remain, until the input mechanisms of the XBOX 360 and PS3 are changed from a dual analog stick to an analog stick and mouse or IR pointer. Period.
Thumb-aiming is the lamest thing that happened to video games... ever. Even the Wiimote is better than a thumb-controlled-reticle.
Kell @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:17AM
Wow, what a sad state of gaming when our typical demographic sounds like a bunch of old farts. "Ohh, this isnt a real game, I remember back in my day..." Give me a break. Game: Something people play to have fun. Gamers: People who play for fun. I don't know what you lot think you are, but the growing number of people who are taking up games want just that - fun. Not some pseudo-intellectual pretence. Go back to your 20-sided die and your resource management and your twisty passages, all alike.