• Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Apr 27, 2004
Metascore
85 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 53 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 53
  2. Negative: 0 out of 53
  1. This is the best in the series and my nomination for action game of the year. I loved every minute of the game including finding all of the secrets in the game.
  2. The graphics are fantastic, the score is excellent and the gameplay offers a great variety of fast-paced combat and brain-teasing puzzles.
  3. The perfect sequel. It also has everything a great action/adventure game needs. Fast and smooth action, multiple characters, well thought of puzzles, well fleshed out characters, a good story and kickass graphics and sound to boot. [JPN Import; Grade = A+]
  4. The experience that awaits you here transcends such archaic terms. This is an event, an epoch making title that years from now historians will look back upon as a defining moment in the history of video games. This is not an over exaggeration, nor is it simple hyperbole, this is the cold hard truth. Onimusha3 is the reason why you became a gamer in the first place. [JPN Import]
  5. The game keeps the repetition to a minimum, mixing whips, swords, and guns into the Onimusha equation. I just couldn’t drop the controller until the very last minute before I had to go to class.
  6. It provides both a immensely enjoyable movie experience as well as some quite robust game play.
  7. Onimusha 3 more accurately represents an action game like "Devil May Cry." Instead of the rigid control scheme used by the "Resident Evil" series, Onimusha 3 has fluid controls. Moving the analog stick around will directly move your character, instead of just turning him. [JPN Import]
  8. 91
    Not mindless fun, but rather fun with a slight level of intelligence. If you enjoy games with a lot of action, a decent story, and massive amounts of monsters, you should definitely pick up Onimusha 3.
  9. On the technical side, an analog control has finally been added, rather than continuing to rely on the directional pad. [Aug 2004, p.6]
  10. The biggest problem with this is that the backgrounds don’t look as rich and colorful as they did in the two previous installments.
  11. 10 / 8 / 8 / 10 - 36 platinum [Vol 794; 5 Mar 2004]
  12. If you've never plaed the series before, this is the one to try. If you have played it, you won't want to miss this amazing finale. [July 2004, p.20]
  13. This is in fact everything you have ever loved about Onimusha buffed out to the max. [June 2004, p.75]
  14. Double bastard-woo with hot custard on top (and those who allege otherwise are suffering from cranio-rectal inversions).
  15. 90
    So while it may be a bit bothersome to weed through the tile-sliding treasure chests and the time travel puzzles don't happen often enough, it's not really what the game is really about anyway -- they're really just supplements to a kick-ass action title with a tremendous presentation and storyline.
  16. You will be hard pressed to find a game that controls as nicely as this one.
  17. What I really like about this game is that I always felt like I was getting a new weapon, going to a new area, or fighting a new boss (most of which are ferociously tough, by the way). [June 2004, p.126]
  18. Onimusha 3, if meant to be the series’ swan song, is as polished, refined, challenging, rewarding and just plain fun as a game of this type is ought to be. Stop reading this review right now (cause, well, it’s over) and get to your nearest store to pick up a copy of this game.
  19. 90
    While the game isn't a construction of godly perfection, it is pure, raw fun that may eclipse the first two, depending on whether you'll miss the adventure elements or the less ostentatious presentation of the first game. I, for one, did not.
  20. 90
    You’ll get at least 40 or 50 hours of game play, and that’s before you get to the mini-puzzles.
  21. 90
    Aside from the Leon bait-and-switch, there are few surprises in Onimusha 3—it’s a great game that fits like an old glove, so the old saying goes. A soul-sucking, flesh-leeching glove with one creepy, blinking, hollow eye.
  22. Even if the story doesn't do much for you, Demon Siege's production values still might win you over. [June 2004, p.97]
  23. While Samanosuke’s sword play is second to none and impressive in itself, Jacques’ energy whip is where the real fun is at. Jacques has the ability to grab his enemies, throw them around and even use his pistol in between to keep the combo rolling.
  24. This game is easily a recommendation because it gave me the same feel as I had when I first played "Devil May Cry," a game this one borrows a lot from.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. onimusha
    10
    Loved the Intro.
  2. 6
    Aside from an absolutely breathtaking intro (it was unbelievable to think that is what the PS2 was capable of) this game is really just lazy. The game uses Jean Reno's likeness in the game, and yet only the French version of the game uses the actor's real voice. We all know he can speak fantastic English, why on earth didn't he do the English one as well. Whoever the voice actor was that they got instead of him sounds nothing like him, so it was kind of bizzar seeing Reno's face with another voice. It felt more like this was a fan made mod than anything else. As to the game itself: It really doesn't do ANYTHING new, just the same stuff from the last games in a different location. The game isn't bad, just a really big disappointment. This is what you would expect from a Hollywood movie -Game licence game. But from the Onimusha franchise, this was just a bit of a slap in the face. Overall: It is a good game, and I would only recommend to those who have not tried the previous games. Full Review »
  3. 3rd game in the series where little has changed out side of your in paris and you control 2 main charicters instead of just 1 . the voice acting is abit improved they brought a famous french actor in and modeled him for the game (i cant remember his name unfortunitly) and they have him speaking the frech in the game but not the english which is stupid because he can speak english ive heard him in other films do so. instead they have some english voice actor doing his lines which was just stupid in my book. its fairly long not as long as the second but still much longer then the first . this game is in the middle of the 3 games its better then the first but not as good as the second one . still its a fun game and it also brings samonoske back in. Full Review »