Xbox Underrated Gem: Otogi: Myth of Demons
76This is a series of gameplay vids I'm doing highlighting overlooked games for the various consoles I own.
Otogi is an extremely underrated action game (with RPG elements) for the original Xbox. It's no doubt overshadowed by Ninja Gaiden, but they're not quite comparable games.
Otogi has more RPG elements in it. Depending on how you play the level, you get RPG style experience points, and collecting enough will gain you a level. You also gain cash with which you can use to buy new weapons, spells and accessories. A large part of the gameplay revolves around breaking everything in sight. The environments have a lot of destructible structures which you can have fun destroying along with killing your enemies. You even get graded on your destruction.
You can also go back and play any level you've beaten previously. You can choose to play it the way you left it (with broken buildings and all), or you can reset the level and play through it again.
It's fighting mechanics are kind of similar to Shinobi on the PS2. Some people have described the game as Shinobi meets Onimusha, and I can see that as well.
The game isn't perfect. As with most games of this type, is can get frustrating in the challenge department. Also, there's actually a time limit of sorts on the levels. You magic meter drains over time, and when it fully drains, your life will also start to drain, meaning that you've constantly got to kill enemies to refill your life just so you won't die. The game's still fun enough to overlook those small complaints. There is are also some annoying voice overs where their repetition can be extremely annoying.
This game was made by From Software of King's Field, Tenchu (they've taken over the series, but didn't create it), Armored Core, and, most recently Ninja Blade fame, and was published by Sega.
Otogi: Myth of Demons is only available on the original Xbox, and is not backwards compatible with the Xbox 360.