Onimusha Walkthrough. This walkthrough is for both the 'Special Mode' (gotten after completing the game once) and 'Normal Mode' based on 'Normal' setting. Note I try to keep this a spoiler free walkthrough as far as possible. In trying to describe certain situations to make it clear to the reader, I may accidentally reveal some events. This walkthrough is also based on the 'Special Mode' game, but everything is the same, with the exception that Samanosuke is wearing secret costumes and a very special gauntlet. See 'Secrets' Section if you want to know it now! Alert! This walkthru is also based on the Japanese version, so there may be some differences with the English version. It seems that the answers to the trick puzzles boxes are different now. So, you may have to try out the answers yourself as I do not have the American version. My apologies. Also, can anyone tell me how the US version is like for the Trick treasure box (moving the numbers in sequence)? Revision 19/3/01 Many apologies to all you who have waited for my update. I will try to finish this as soon as possible. Updated the walkthru and corrected miscellaneous parts. 5/2/01 Updated walkthru and added 'Dark Realm' Guide. Added parts here and there. 7/2/01 Updated walkthru, added 'speed guide' to the end of the game, added "Last Boss' Guide. Bits and pieces. Characters (Spoilers) - Samanosuke Akechi the protagonist - Kaede Samanosuke's travelling companion - Princess Yuki Friend of Samanosuke's. Summons him when funny things happen in the castle - Yunemaru son of a peasant who was killed. Taken in by Princess Yuki and treated like a younger brother - Tokichiro Kinoshita servant of the Oda Clan who tries to persuade Samanosuke to serve the Oda Clan - Nobunaga Oda The person who was struck by an arrow in the throat, he is a real character and ruler of Japan in one of the period. Controls L1 Guard R1 + Left/Right Move left or Right quickly around the enemy Triangle Sword special attack Square Attack X absorb souls O Action (examine etc). Advice for killing enemies/Dark Realm Advice - Guard often. You will not get injured whenever you guard against enemies, with the exception of a few bigger and stronger ones (the red samurai and ogres). This is especially useful against arrows. - However, do not guard unnecessarily. If the enemies are still far away and they will take some time to reach you, kill them first instead of guarding. Kill them before they can kill you. This is especially so in the dark realm where you need to clear the enemies fast before too many are generated. - Absorb souls at a safe distance. If the souls are dissipating but there are still enemies near you, back off first and then absorb the souls. - Go for the finishing blow when the enemy is lying down. Go near the body and press 'Square' multiple times for Samanosuke to stab his sword into the body for the finishing blow. However, be careful of enemies who will attack you when you are stabbing the enemy as you are vulnerable then. Stab only when enemies are still some distance away from you. - The key to killing bigger and stronger enemies, as well as surviving in the Dark Realm, is to know how to use your weapons effectively. When surrounded by multiple enemies, use the 'Wind Spear' special attack. When a single enemy appears, change back to either the 'Thunder Sword' or 'Fire Sword'. Conserve your sword special attacks. Use them only on the ogres or big red/blue samurais. Switch swords often to utilise the special attacks. For example, it is pointless using the 'Thunder Sword' when it is low on special attack gauge even though you think (and I think as well) the 'Fire Sword' (which is full on special attack gauge) is weaker. When tough enemies appear, change to the 'fire sword' so that you can use its special attack just to kill them. Then change back to 'Thunder sword' to kill smaller enemies. - Note Regardless of any weapons you are currently equipped with, as long as you absorb souls, the rest of the weapons will also recover their special attack gauge. Therefore, check your weapons' status, you might not know that either one is already full on the special attack gauge. An awareness of your other weapons' (that are not equipped) gauge is a good way to manipulate the use of your weapons effectively. - The trick is to use special attack for a particular weapon, absorb souls after the attack and repeat. When the weapon is low, change to another weapon and use special attack. Repeat procedure. After a while, the first weapon's special attack gauge would be refilled partially, if not totally. Enhancements In the game, after defeating enemies, you can absorb their souls and use these to enhance your weapons or items. Herb--> Medicine Normal Arrows--> Fire Arrows Normal Bullets--> Burst Bullets Thunder Sword Level 1--> Thunder Sword Level 2--> Thunder Sword Level 3 (Max) Thunder Orb Level 1--> Thunder Orb Level 3 (Max) Fire Sword Level 1--> Fire Sword Level 3 (Max) Fire Orb Level 1--> Fire Sword Level 3 (Max) Wind Spear Level 1--> Wind Spear Level 3 (Max) Wind Orb Level 1--> Wind Orb Level 3 (Max) Note Certain doors can only be opened by these Orbs. You need to level up your Orbs in order to open a higher level door, e.g. a door that is locked by two red Orbs require your fire Orb to be at level two. So, try to level up your Orbs whenever possible in order to proceed ahead. To do this, kill more enemies and absorb more souls. Walkthrough - Go to Northern path. Kill off either one of the purple ninjas. Cutscene. - After receiving gauntlet, you will also receive 'Instructions'. - Save point is the 'Magic Mirror' which is the glowing light inside the stand (next to the door). - Go thru the door and across the bridge. Cutscene. Kill the zombie warriors. - Enter house and thru the door. Cutscene. Kill off the zombie warriors. - Go out of the door. Cutscene and apologies. - Take short-cut to keep, go thru the forest. - Pick up 'herb' at the right side of the cave entrance. - Go down the hole. - Open treasure box to get 'Und. Temple Map'. - Go up the steps and examine the mummified monk. - Take 'Green Scroll' to get 'Sougen Note'. - Go thru the door behind the monk. - Kill zombie at right. Before you turn left, examine the floor to get 'flourite'. - Turn left the corner and examine the cupboard to get 'Seiryu' (Vol. 1). - Go to the other end and enter the door. - Destroy the giant pots to reveal a treasure box. Get 'Journal #1'. - Examine the blue orb to get 'Thunder Orb' and 'Thunder Sword'. - Examine the Trick treasure box. The characters Chinese numerals. You need to arrange them from left to right in order. That is, No.1 to 3 from the top, No. 4 to 6 at the bottom. - Note For those who do not recognise the Chinese numerals, I will try to describe them to you. - One is represented by the single horizontal stroke. - Two is written as two horizontal strokes across. - Three is written as three horizontal strokes across. - Four is written like a box, with two curving strokes inside the box. - Five is written as a stroke across at the top, followed by a slanting vertical slash down, a short horizontal stroke across and slash down again. This is completed by a horizontal stroke across at the base. - Six is written as a small dot on the top, a horizontal slash across, and two dots at the bottom. - Seven is written as a slash across a hook. - Eight is written as two slashes outwards. - Solution for box Move 3 and 2, move 6 and 4, move 1 and 2. Get 'Rope ladder'. - At the exit, look out for 'Magic Jewel' inside a partially hidden treasure box. Use it whenever you get it to increase your sword magic. - Examine the Puzzle box #1. From right to left, enter 6,3,1 to get 'Power Jewel'. Use it to lengthen your life. - Examine the door and your Thunder Orb will dispel the blocking mechanisms. Enter. - Destroy the stand and get the treasure box behind it to get 'South Area Map'. - The door on the right is 'closed tightly and will not open'. - Enter the other gate near the red (fire) orb as you do not have the fire orb yet. Kill the zombies warriors and get 'Herb' left by the soldier. - The door is marked by red ink. It is locked and you need the red key. Later. - Go down the moat and use the 'rope ladder'. Press start to select it under items. - Answer to puzzle box #2 (next to save point). Enter from right to left 4,1,6 to get 'Power Jewel'. - Destroy stand to get 'Medicine'. - Save before you enter the door. Fight first boss. - Strategy Never attack him in front. His attacks are too powerful. Kill him from behind. To do this, allow him to get up close to you and let him swing his mace. Do not face him directly, but position yourself to run forward when he is about to swing his mace. Just before he does so, run forward and around him to attack him from behind. Back away quickly and repeat this again. When the boss charges at you, he will stay 'frozen' for a while. Avoid his charge and quickly kill him when he stays still to recover from his charge. Absorb souls at all times possible (at a safe distance) to refill your special sword attack and life. Use your sword special attack to kill him whenever possible. It is ok for him to destroy the concrete slab in the middle as it will provide more space for you to maneuver. - Enter the door the boss broke when he died. Open treasure box to get 'Journal #2'. - Go thru the door. Cutscene (demon). Kill the tentacle monster (Reynaldo). - Examine the left fire stand to get 'fire orb' and 'Fire Sword'. - Go all the way back to the 'fire orb' door and equip the 'Fire Sword' to open it. Ignore the blue skulls for now. They will steal the souls from your kills. Go up the moat and back to the main door and open it by equipping the 'fire sword'. - Enter the second door on your left (Save place). - Refill your magic power by pressing 'X'. Open treasure box to get 'Keep Map'. Enhance your orbs or swords as you deem fit. I suggest the orbs first for those who want to proceed with the story, while those who want to get more powerful, level up the swords first. - Go out and enter the main door next to the save room. Cutscene (Yunemaru). - Open treasure box to get 'Normal arrows'. - Enter the normal (brown) door, go thru it and open treasure box to get 'Journal #3'. - Go thru the red orb door. Cutscene. (Yunemaru and Kaede). - Open treasure box to near the staircase to get 'Herb'. Examine the shelves behind it to get 'Flourite' - Enter the door next to staircase. - Trick treasure box. Move 5 and 6, 2 and 4, 6 and 1, 5 and 2, then 6 and 5. Get 'bow'. - Go to the shelves to get 'Suzaku'. - Slash the rope dangling in the middle. There is something shiny at the bottom. Later. - Come out and go up the stairs. - There is no need to go to the door on your right as you have already slashed the rope one floor below it earlier on. - Enter double red orbs door. You need to level up your fire orb to level 2. - Get 'Red book' on the table. - Open treasure box to get 'R. Crest Piece' (right side). - Come out and go thru the grey door opposite it. Go thru the single red orb door, where zombie warriors are crawling up. - Go thru the door, destroy crates to get 'Normal arrow'. - Behind the treasure box, get 'Flourite'. - Go up the stairs. Get 'Byakko' next to treasure box. - Open treasure box to get 'Normal Arrow' - Save point. - Equip 'Fire sword' and enter the double red orb door. Cutscene (Kaede). - As Samanosuke, pull the lever. Press 'O'. - As Kaede, pull the right lever in the set of two. - As Samanosuke, pull the left lever next to Kaede. - As Kaede, pull the left lever of the 3 set. The middle is a trap. - As Samanosuke, pull the right lever of the set of 3. - As Kaede, pull the last lever next to the door (to open the gate for the treasure box). - As Samanosuke, pull the same lever again (right of the set of 3). - As Kaede, pull the left level of the set of 3. - As Samanosuke, go all the way back to get 'Holy Armor' from the treasure box. Go back and pull the right lever of the set of 3. - As Kaede, enter the door. - In the dark room, absorb magic powers. Equip 'fire sword' and use sword special attack (Triangle). The flames from the sword will light up the candles. You must light up ALL the candles (there are some on the other side of the room). Proceed. - Note It seems that the English version is slightly different (crosses and pluses?). As I do not have the English version, you have to try this out yourself. For the import version, there are Chinese characters on the floor. The darkened word means 'corner' while the lighter-coloured word means 'fly'. Step only on the darkened word. E.g. Samanosuke steps on it, then he will be immobilised. Kaede steps on any similar darkened character and she will be immobilised next while Samanosuke can now move. You can step on any (even the same panel) until one of you reach the only panel whose word is different. The word just before the door is 'king'. Enter and Cutscene. - Water Trap Puzzle You need to shift the 2 pieces of the Saito Crest together. I think they need not meet at the middle bottom, but this is what I usually do. The crests need to "move" on the 4 separate pieces to meet up. You need to select the darkened spaces to indicate where the pieces will shift to next. - Solution Shift the 4 pieces to the middle center level. (Shift them piece by piece to the center middle level). - Shift all 4 pieces to the left and swap place with the left crest. Now the left crest is in the center middle position. - Shift all 4 pieces down and right to occupy the bottom middle and bottom right spaces. Shift the left crest down so that it touches bottom. - Shift the middle 2 pieces to the top right (above the right crest). - Now, 2 pieces should be at the top right of the crest while the other 2 pieces should be at the bottom right of the right crest. - Shift the top right pieces down to center middle. - Shift the bottom right pieces left to center middle. - Shift the right crest to middle where both crests can finally be joined. - Proceed. Investigate the table and pull the tab. - Go up the ladder. - The door is locked, you need to put the 2 pieces of crest. Put the 'R. Crest Piece' for now. - Go down the ladder next to the door. Turn around (180 degrees) and go down the same ladder again. - Open the treasure box to get 'L. Crest Piece'. - Go up and back to insert the 'L. Crest Piece'. Enter door. Cutscene. (Yunemaru). - Slash the partitions. Examine the left stand where there is a box to get 'Flourite' and table for 'Seiryu'. - Enter door. Pick up 'Suzaku' lying on the floor. - Open treasure box next to stairs to get 'Normal arrows'. - Go up stairs and enter door. You cannot enter the green orb door yet. - Pick up 'Seiryu' on the floor, 'medicine' in the treasure box, and another 'Seiryu' in the middle of the room. Slash both partitions on the left and right sides. - Absorb souls from the left stand. - Go thru the door on the right. Save point. Save before you proceed as it is the second boss fight. - Go up ladder. Fight second boss. (Rooftop). - Strategy Same like the first boss. Stay away from him. If you are trapped, guard against his first slash, but guards against his second slash will not work. After deflecting his strike the first time, back off or run in another direction. When he slashes, run to his back to attack him. Use special attacks and switch weapons often as when you absorb souls, weapons not equipped will fill up on the special attack gauge. It is possible not to use any herbs here. - Get 'Wind Orb' and 'Wind Spear'. - Go down the ladder. - Use 'Wind Orb' to unlock the green orb door. Cutscene. (Everyone and Nui). - (Optional for those who wants to get 'Burst Bullets'). Go back to the green Orb door earlier on. In case you are disoriented, you need to go out of the room and thru the red orb door. Proceed past the blue part on the door. Go up the ladder, carry on past the pulling levers…Go up the ladder where you pulled the tab formerly. In the room where you save Yunemaru, open treasure box to get 'Burst bullets'. Head back. - Outside the left/right crest door, go down the ladder next to it. - Instead of going down one more level, move along and go down another ladder. Open treasure box to get 'Power Jewel'. - Unlatch the door to go out from the trick door. Come out of this room. - Go down the stairs and head to the first floor. - Go to the other door next to the save room. Enter the double blue orb door (Thunder Orb need to be at level 2). - Enter door, pick up 'Blue Book'. Examine the 3 orbs on the stand. - Equip the 'Thunder Sword' and examine it and the blue orb will move away. - Equip the 'Fire Sword' and examine it and the fire orb will move away. - Equip the 'Wind Spear' and examine it and the green orb will move away. - Go down the stairs. - A door is blocked by souls. Later. - Go left and enter door. Save point. - Open treasure box to get 'Herb'. Proceed. - Examine shelves to get 'Green Book', 'Orange Book', and 'Byakko'. Enter door. - Enter iron doors. Open treasure box to get 'Keep Und. Map'. - Slash the rope and run to the other side to get 'Rosary of Com' which allows you to hear the deceased. - Come out, enter the other door. Open treasure box to get 'Purifier Bell'. Avoid the blades. Stay on one side instead of the middle and dash across when the blade swings past you. - Go to the door where it is blocked by souls. Use 'Purifier Bell' to cure the cursed. Enter door. Turn right before entering another door. At the end of the left wall, examine the floor to get 'flourite'. It is near the glass tanks of samurais where the door is indicated by blue ink. - Now, enter the other door. - Equip 'Wind Spear' and enter double green orb door. Pick up 'Apocalypse #1' on the floor and 'Byakko' next to the corpse. - Trick treasure box. Solution Move 4 and 6, 8 and 7, 1 and 2, to get 'Blue Key'. - Examine the torture iron box in this room to get 'Flourite'. - Come out and enter door on your left. - Pick up 'White book' on the floor next to treasure box. - Open treasure box to get 'Herb'. - Go to the door marked by blue ink and examine it. The 'Blue key' will be used automatically. Cutscene. - As Kaede, go out of the room. Cutscene. - Pick up 'Red key' on the floor from the dead soldier. - Kaede is pretty weak and you will not want to waste your herbs, so avoid fighting the enemies and just run ahead whenever possible. - Go down stairs and out into the courtyard. - Head past the moat (but do not go down) and examine the door marked by red ink. The 'Red key' will be used automatically. - Get 'Herb' from treasure box. Run on. When you see the red samurai, use your kunai (R1 and Triangle) and attack from a safe distance. Don't waste them on the zombie warriors. - You will run past a well, but there's no need to go down yet. - Enter door next to well. Take cover behind the partition stands to avoid getting hit by the arrows. If you save the soldier (by killing the zombie warriors), you can get the 'Soul Absorber'. - Go up the ladder and kill the zombie warriors shooting the arrows. - Enter door, go down ladder. - Open treasure box to get 'West Area Map'. Save point. - Examine the door next to the save point and Kaede will use the Shinobi Kit to unlock it automatically. Go along. - Enter door on your right to the furnace. - Pull the tab and dash across. Do it fast and avoid the flames. There is a timing and the door on the other side will close of you are too slow. - Destroy boxes to get 'Herb'. - Examine shiny object to get 'Gold Plate'. - Pull tab and run back across. - Go out and enter the door straight ahead. - When you just step in, face to Kaede's left to get 'herb' from a hidden treasure box. - Open treasure box to get 'Journal #5'. Get 'Suzaku' from the top shelf. You cannot solve the trick shelf yet (without the gear), so go back to the place where you took cover behind the three partition stands where the zombie warriors shot at you with arrows. When you go down the ladder, turn right and enter the door just next to it. - There are fireflies here. Run past the bushes and pick up shiny object ('Kunai') on the ground. Examine door and 'Shinobi Kit' will be used automatically. - Enter. Save point. - Puzzle box #3 Enter 5,7,2 (right to left) to get 'Magic Jewel'. - Go out and pick up 'Gear' on the floor next to corpse. - Examine the left hole next to the door and insert 'Gold Plate' by using it. - Go back to the trick shelf room (next to furnace room) and insert 'gear'. - Pull string and go into the secret room. - Examine the statues facing the treasure box to get 'Flourite'. - Pick up 'Byakko', open treasure box to get 'Silver Plate'. - Run back to insert 'Silver Plate' on the right hole. - Enter door into burning room. Do not touch the fires. - Enter door on Kaede's left, examine barrels (next to stairs) on Kaede's right for 'Flourite' - Go up stairs. - Trick treasure box Move 4 and 1, 7 and 3, 8 and 7, 6 and 2, 2 and 1 to get 'Sacred Knife'. - Equip it and go downstairs into the burning room. - Do not go down into the basement yet, kill the zombie warriors and enter the room with pots. Destroy them. Get 'Genbu' and 'Kunai' from treasure box. - Go down the stairs into the basement. - Enter the door into the prison room. Examine the bars. Cutscene. (Princess Yuki). - Kill the disappearing ninja. Guard when he disappears and is about to reappear for the attack. After his boomerang, sword or chain attack, run forward to kill him. Repeat. - Back to Samanosuke. Get 'medicine' from treasure box. Save. Boss fight coming up. - Strategy This is a fight against your doppelganger (double). He will guard often and so must you. Keep guarding until when he is about to use his sword special attack, dash forward and kill him first. Then guard again and repeat this pattern. Be patient and you will not waste a herb/medicine. Make sure you can see him using his special attack as he may be 'outside' of the TV screen. He will use the special attack when he starts to back away, so move in then or you will be too far away. By the way, I find the 'Wind Spear' 's range to be more effective. - Proceed. Open treasure box to get 'Evil Plate' and box to get 'ladder'. Pick up 'Power Jewel'. So this is what it was. - Use the ladder at the wooden platform. - Go up. Home sweet home. Note Do not use the 'Evil Plate' on the blue thing on the door yet. - Go down to the first floor save point. It's time to go down to the Dark Realm. The weird man will talk to you and tell you about the Dark Realm, which is a place full of enemies, but also wondrous treasures. Say 'no' first in order to save before going. My advice is to enhance your weapons to the max (level 3) and make sure you have quite a full life bar before attempting to do so. - If you want to go now, refill your magic powers. You should also have used all your 'Power' and 'Magic' jewels earlier on. Save, go out of the room and enter again and press 'O' where the old man is. Talk to him. - Say 'yes' and off we go. Refer to 'Dark Realm' Section. - When you are back, enhance your items and equipment. - If you are not ready to go yet, carry on. Go out of the courtyard and thru the door marked by red ink. If you save the soldier, you can pick up the 'burst bullets'. - Go along until you reach the door locked by 3 blue orbs. Equip 'Thunder sword' to unlock it (Thunder orb at level 3). - Enter. You are in the 'Statue of the West' room. - Absorb souls from the stand. - Pick up 'Genbu' and 'Vision Staff' from the treasure box. With the 'Vision Staff', you can now see the 'flourites' clearly! They will appear as shiny objects scattered around. - Examine the headless statue. You need to find the head. - The other way is blocked by gates. Go out of this room. Outside the door, you can see the 'flourite' shining on the floor. Pick it up. - Go past the well and enter the door. Note If you go down the well, you will see the weird old man. You can go to the Dark Realm if you have not been there yet, or if you want to again to pick up items like 'herbs' or to absorb souls/life. But I do not think it is worthwhile to go back there a second time. You are better off killing enemies elsewhere. There is not enough space for you to maneuver in the Dark Realm and you might end up losing more life. - Hide behind the partitions from the arrows. Go up the ladder and enter door. - Go down ladder. Equip 'Fire sword' to enter the 3 red orbs door. - Go along, open treasure box to get 'medicine'. - Slash the rope securing the catapult and pick up 'flourite' which is hidden under it. - Enter door. Cutscene (Ogres). - Open treasure boxes to get 'Statue Head', 'bullets' and pick up the 'Decorated sword'. - Go back to the headless statue and use the 'Statue Head'. - The gate is now pulled back. Get 'Matchlock' from treasure box. You can shoot bullets now. - Head back to the courtyard. On your way there, pick up 'flourite' on the floor. You can see it shining (there are zombies warriors shooting arrows at you from the rooftop here. There is also a giant blue samurai). - Note You should have 15 fluorites (including the 3 Dark Realm fluorites) before using the 'Evil Plate'. You should have 17 fluorites before hopping onto the small boat with Samanosuke. You should have ALL 20 of the fluorites before hopping onto the small boat with Kaede. (Credit goes to Samuel I. Villanueva from Crystal Dynamics, Soul Reaver Team). So, search everywhere before using the 'Evil Plate'. - Go to the blue door and use the 'Evil Plate'. Cutscene (Yunemaru and bee). - Now, go to the main courtyard (run towards the gate leading to the bridge full of ogres) to activate the cutscene. The door that was barred will now be destroyed, allowing you access. - Use the 'Decorated sword' on the hollow space. Go thru the bridge. - Go thru the double green orb doors. - Go straight and see that you need to cross the river. Use the arrow to lower the equipment (draw bridge). Aim properly at the rope. - Go thru to get 'bullets'. - Run along the corridor to get 'Journal #6', then enter the door. - Go straight and enter the door. Open treasure box to get 'Bullets'. Pick up 'Genbu' (vol*123*). - Slash the scroll on the wall to get 'East Area Map'. - Come out and enter the room in the middle of the bridge. - Kill the zombie warriors shooting arrows at you. - Open treasure box at the top to get 'Magic Jewel'. - Go up the ladder to the rooftop. - Pick up 'flourite', 'Power Jewel' and 'Soul Absorber'. - Go down the stairs and open the treasure box to get 'bullets'. - Enter the 3 green orb door to reach the pond. - The other door's keyhole is broken (Kaede's part), therefore, go thru the other gate. - Absorb souls from the altar. - Enter door to reach forest. Enter door to reach bridge. - Go behind the waterfall to open 'trick treasure box'. Solution Move (2,6), (3,8), (5,7), (4,6), (8,9) to get 'Great Armor'. - Enter gate. - Save point. Open treasure box to get 'Medicine'. - For the last answer-trick box, key in from right to left 3, 6 to get 'Magic Jewel'. - Go down ladder, pick up 'flourite'. Board the boat. Cutscene. To be updated… For those who cannot wait for the more detailed walkthru, (which might be updated in a while) here is a quick guide to the end of the game. I am skipping some parts. Read it at your own risks! - Note that when you use the 'Evil Plate', certain parts of the castle will be destroyed and you cannot go to these places to pick up any 'flourites' which you might have missed. I am still trying to ascertain the number of 'flourites' you should have just before using the 'Evil Plate'. A useful aid would be the 'Vision Staff'. Run around the castle and revisit places to see whether you have missed out any. I am trying to compile a list of their locations. There is a list on the 'Onimusha' message board which is good. For those who are eager to see the ending, yet still want to get the 'mini-game', I suggest you save on another record to beat the boss, and replay the former record again to get all twenty flourites. - With the demon gate blocking you, you need to find a way to break the seal. - As Kaede, you need to get the green key. The green key is in the special box which cannot be opened. When you take out the great arrow, the door will be locked with a dragon head. Therefore, go out and search (I cannot remember where and I need to update it first) for the fake arrow and replace it with the real one. The door will be unlocked and the treasure box will also open and you can get the green key. Then you can get ahead with another boat to join Samanosuke. - 'Queen Bee' boss strategy Use your 'burst bullets' or 'Fire arrows' on the Queen bee and scorpions. Keep shooting the bee until the scorpions get really close to you and use 'Wind Spear' special attack to kill off the scorpions who have gathered around you. Change back to either the 'matchlock' or 'bow' again. Repeat. - After you get the 'Great Bow' and 'Great Arrow', go back and shoot the seal floating in front of the Demon Gate. - Enter Demon Realm and fight Marcellus. - Marcellus boss strategy Do not use 'Fire arrows' or 'burst bullets' when he is still carrying his shields. Use your weapons special attacks, guard, absorb souls and keep slashing until his shields break. Then use the arrows and bullets and shoot him from a distance until he dies. If he dashes forward and slash you, quickly recover, run away from him and continue to shoot again. - Enter the door and save for the last time. If you have the Bisha. O, now is the time to use it. - Run along the spiral and pick up the two medicines at the end. Enter final door. Cutscene. Last Boss Fortinbras Guide When you fight Fortinbras, keep slashing him, when he drops his head, use the special attacks. Note that arrows and bullets seem to have no effect on him. If you have some soul absorbers, use it now so that they will absorb souls for you automatically. When he is about to summon the lighting attack on you, back away quickly. This is crucial and will save you some life. You cannot block against his flame attacks, so try to anticipate his attacks and strafe left/right to avoid his flames or lighting balls attack. E.g. he is facing left, then strafe to the right. Keep switching weapons to utilise your special attacks fully. I personally used the 'Wind Spear' and kept slashing at him after all my other weapons' special attacks were depleted. I am in the midst of replaying it so that I can describe it better. You can always go to 'GameFaq''s Onimusha message board, where other people have gave their comments (more detailed and better than mine) on how to fight Fortinbras. I first won the game without the Bishamon sword. I simply kept slashing at him and kept using medicine. Luckily, I killed him first when I was down to my last medicine. It would also be good if you have the Talisman as it will resurrect you when you die. With good preparations, e.g. several medicines, 1 talisman, enhancing your weapons to the max, and having the Bishamon sword, Fortinbras will be easy. If you still have an old record and have not visited the Dark Realm, I suggest you go back to get the Bisha O. However, this must not be at the expense of all your herbs/medicines. Always enhance your herbs to medicine so as not to waste their potential. Dark Realm Guide Note Try to have a full life bar and full magic powers before attempting to go down into the dark realm. Go around and kill enemies and absorb life in order to do so and not to waste herbs. I normally do this around the main courtyard areas. You can refill your magic powers at the nearby save room on the first floor and then talk to the weird man in this same room after saving first. Enhance not just your weapons, but 'bullets' and 'arrows' as well so that you can use them in the Dark Realm when desperate. Hence, you need to have the 'Matchlock' and 'Bow' first. Level 1 Zombie warriors - Use Wind Spear special attack to kill off the enemies when surrounded. Absorb souls. Do not be afraid to use the special attacks because it is better to use them and kill the enemies fast to avoid getting hit. When the enemies are dead, you can absorb their souls and regain some special attack gauge. The idea is to have a healthy life bar for the next round. Level 2 Purple ninjas - Use wind spear special attacks whenever surrounded or necessary. Level 3 Zombie warriors and red samurais - Use 'Thunder Sword' special attack on red samurai and just slash the zombie warriors. When your sword locks with the samurai's, guard immediately when the sword is pulled back to avoid getting slashed. Use 'Fire Sword' special attacks if the 'Thunder Sword' is depleted. Level 4 Red Samurais - By this time, your 'Thunder Sword' power should be low. Change to 'Fire Sword' or 'Wind Spear' if necessary. Switch weapons often! Note You can always use your 'Bullets' or 'Arrows' (provided you have the 'bow' and 'matchlock') if you are desperate and is low on special attacks. When you have absorbed enough powers, change back to your weapons so as not to waste your ammunitions. Level 5 Red Samurais and Purple Ninjas - Once again, your special attacks should be running low, so, guard often but also aim for first strike. Absorb souls and check your weapons' special attack guages (whether they have replenished enough to be used even once). You might be thinking that I have wasted them for the first few levels, but the point is to keep your life (and weapons' gauge if possible by absorbing souls) at a healthy level for the next round. Get rid of the ninjas first and absorb their souls. With this souls to replenish your weapons, use special attacks (Thunder or Fire preferably) on the samurais. Level 6 Small Ogres - Pretty simple, use either weapons' normal slashes. Absorb souls to replenish your weapons' special attacks. - Open treasure box to get 'Flourite'. Level 7 Scorpion-like monsters - Use 'Wind Spear' special attacks, then keep slashing. Level 8 Small Ogres and Soul stealing blue skulls - Note If you equip 'Holy Armor', you can absorb the souls before the blue skulls steal them. - Be careful of ogres' attacks when you kill the blue skulls. You might want to kill the blue skulls last. Level 9 Giant Ogres and Small Ogres - Use special attacks (preferably the 'Thunder Sword') on the giant ogres, then go in for the finishing blow when he is down. You might still want to do this even though it means getting hit by nearby smaller ogres as it is better to kill the giant ogre first. He is simply too powerful. - Open treasure box to get 'Medicine'. Level 10 Giant Ogres and Soul stealing blue skulls - Make sure you do not waste the 'Thunder Sword' special attacks on the blue skulls. Aim correctly! Use 'Wind Spear' special attack if necessary (to get rid of the blue skulls which will distract your slashing on the ogres). - Open treasure box to get 'Flourite'. Level 11 Tentacles monsters - Use 'Wind Spear' special attacks if you still are able to. Otherwise, slash and guard. Note you cannot guard against the tentacles that emerge from the ground and grab your ankles. Back away from them when you know that they are going to appear from the ground, then slash them if possible. - Go for finishing blows. - Open treasure box to get 'Soul Absorber'. Level 12 Tentacles monsters and blue skulls - Use 'Wind Spear' special attacks. Level 13 Tentacles monsters and scorpions - Use 'Wind Spear' special attacks. - Open treasure box to get 'Talisman'. Level 14 Disappearing ninjas - Guard when they disappear and reappears to attack. Kill them after they have used either their boomerang, sword or chain attacks. Repeat. You can always try to run to where they are appearing next and try to slash them when they resurface, but watch out for the second ninja. - Open treasure box to get 'Herb'. Level 15 Tentacles monsters and disappearing ninjas - Remember to change your weapons as they might be at full bars now (depending on whether you have been absorbing souls). - Guard and alternate between weapons. Use 'Thunder Sword' attack on ninjas, but 'Wind Spear' for everybody. - Open treasure box to get 'Flourite'. Level 16 Black ninjas with kunais (throwing knifes) - Keep slashing fast. - Open treasure box to get 'Herb'. Level 17 Blue giant samurais and Red giant samurais - Use 'Thunder' or 'Fire' swords special attacks. Wait until several of them come together, then use the flames special attack. Level 18 Disappearing ninjas and black ninjas with kunais - When the ninja reappears and he does not do the chain attack, dash forward to kill him first before he has a chance to attack you. - Open treasure box to get 'Herb'. Level 19 Blue giant samurais and black ninjas with kunais - Absorb souls and use special attacks. Level 20 Giant Ogres and disappearing ninjas - Guard often! Keep slashing! - Open treasure box to get 'Bishamon O..' (Ocarina). - Teleport back. Well done, you made it! But I hope that you still have some herbs/medicines left. Dark Realm (Second and subsequent attempts) - If you go back to the Dark Realm the second time (regardless of whether you talked to the weird man in the well or room, you will get the following items medicine, Soul Absorber, Talisman, Herb, Herb and Herb. Personally I do not think it is not worth it to go back a second time to get these items or absorb souls. Of course you can always go down just for the first level, teleport back and repeat. Still, it is pretty troublesome. FAQ Section Q What does 'Onimusha' means? Ans 'Oni' means devil or demon. 'Musha' refers to soldiers/warriors. After seeing the ending, I am convinced that it means 'Demon Warrior'. For those who have completed it, think about what happens to Samanosuke… I cannot say too much lest I reveal some spoilers. This interpretation definitely makes sense to me. Q Is the Japanese version 'Import Friendly'? Ans Yes, definitely. You can change the settings and languages to 'English', just like 'The Bouncer'. Let's just hope more companies will do this. Q What is the Dark Realm? Ans It is a place divided into twenty levels where you kill many enemies on each level. Apart from getting herbs, you can get special items here, such as the 'Talisman' which will resurrect you once when you die. This is used automatically when you die. You can also the 'Soul Absorber'. When used, it will absorb all souls for you at that particular place where you used it. Discard after one use. More importantly, you can get 'Bisha O' which is the Bishamon Ocarina' Q What is the 'Bisha. O' for? Ans The "Bisha O' is used for unlocking a special door which will grant you access to the most powerful sword, the 'Bishamon Sword'. It is a sword which combines all the three orbs (Thunder, Fire and Wind) into one. You can still use your other weapons separately. The 'Bishamon Sword' do not use up any souls when executing the special attack and will kill enemies in one blow. Unfortunately, at this point in time, you cannot go back to the castle to take pleasure or revenge in killing the other enemies. It's ok, save it for the last boss. Q Where do I use the 'Bisha. O'? Ans After defeating Marcellus, enter the demon gate. You will see a door that is dark brown in colour and it is made of a different material. Use the 'Bisha. O' here and the "door" will open. Q What are the Flourites for? How many are there? Ans You need to get twenty of them to open up a mini-game after completing the game. Q How do I solve the 'Water Puzzle'? Ans If you do not understand what I have described above, you can refer to this website http//www.ab.wakwak.com/~ltt/oni_m/date/mizu.html or if it is outdated, go to http//guides.ign.com/guides/11520/w4.html Now, please understand it is difficult to express how to move these pieces in words. Try telling someone how to do it. I also do not have the advantage, nor the know-how to post pictures on this walkthru. So, please don't insult my walkthru by saying that it is crap. I have also tried my best to explain in further details to those who have posted me e-mails. Q What are the solutions to the Puzzle Boxes? Ans Enter all numbers from right to left. Box #1 (next to save point before the entrance to the castle) 6,3,1 Box #2 (at the bottom of the moat after using the 'Rope ladder') 4,1,6 Box #3 (next to save point before inserting the 'Gold' and 'Silver' plates) 5,7,2 Box #4 (next to save point in the room with the boat) 3,6 (Yes, two numbers only). It seems that these numbers are not working and I think it is because there are some differences between the import version and the American version. Can anyone verify it with me as I only have the import game? If the numbers above do not work, this may be the reason why. Secrets Note after completing the game, you will be asked to save a new record. This will erase all your former records and start the game with a blank record. If you want to fight the last boss and see the nice FMV ending without starting the game all over again, you might want to save this data in a new memory card. - After completing the game, you will get your ranking and game details, e.g. time taken, enemies killed. You will also get the 'Special Report' mode which shows a trailer for…Onimusha 2! - You will also open up the 'Special Mode'. In this mode, Samanosuke will be wearing a Panda suit, with a flower as his gauntlet. Press L2 for him to wear the panda head. As for Kaede, she is wearing a Chun-li (from Street Fighter) costume, coupled with wings (from Morrigan in 'Vampire Saviour') and a devil tail. - If you collect twenty flourites after the game, you can access the mini game. More on the location of the flourites and the mini game later. Give me time to update this. Meanwhile, you may want to check out the 'Onimusha' message board. Mini Game -You need to destroy the stated number of pots to release their souls. There is timing and also zombie warriors who will destroy the pots against you. Your life will also be gradually depleting. Credits 1) Firstly, to Gamefaq and its excellent massage boards. Thanks to CJAYC for this great site. 2) To all the 'Onimusha' message board writers. This couldn't have been done without your discussion. You know who you are. Til 'Devil May Cry', keep the board alive! 3) To all you readers, whom this walkthru is for. Thanks for reading! 4) My apologies to all those who have e-mailed me, only to get a disappointing answer from me as my game record is still at where I stopped at the walkthru. You know who you are. I hope that you have cleared the parts you are stuck at or better yet, completed the game. Contact Comments, criticisms and questions can be posted to me at 'bengster@pacific.net.sg' I will try to answer you as best as I can. Do check out the 'Onimusha' message board first before you ask me as there might be answers to the questions you are asking. Besides, their answers can be better than mine. Note to other websites If you want to post this, please drop me a mail. I would want to know where this walkthru is being posted. Parting Note - As stated in my 'Aconcagua' walkthru (Urgent plea to diversify), it is my vision to see both present (and especially) aspiring FAQ writers to write about lesser know games if you are able to. There is no point in having tons of walkthrus for the same particular game. Look at FF9 for instance, count the number of them! There is no breakthrough at all. It is my dream for all gamers to be able to find a guide for the games that they are looking for. How many times have you wished that someone out there has written a guide to the game that you are stuck in or no one else seems to play? I am sure someone out there wants to have some guides for these games. Let me start with the DC games first. For example, Vermillion Desert, Imperial Fighter Zero, Panzer Front, Advanced War World, TriColor Crisis, Rune Caster, Rune Jade, Despiria, Socerian, Sunrise Heroes…For PS2, Ring of Red, Velvet File … For PS1, Season of Twilight, Witch of Salzburg, Blade Arts, Khamrai, Bealphareth, Growlanser, Eithea, Volfoss…more on this the next time…if anyone is bothered at all. - Noteworthy Z.O.E is coming out with MGS 2 demo! Resident Evil Code Veronica Complete is coming out with 'Devil May Cry' demo! The months ahead look sweet! Extermination, Phase Paradox, Illbleed, FF X, Popolocrois 3, Shenmue 2…This is THE year for gamers! Please do not ask me any questions about these games! - Lastly, I am trying my best to update this as quickly as possible. There are so many other games which I want to play Ring of Red, Orphen, Tsugunai,… Til next update, keep slashing and take care!