What manner of magic is this a Wii game that doesnt involve flipping burgers, hurling hoops or shaking a monkeys maracas? But while its true that Nintendos box of delights finally has a game for hardcore players to get their teeth into, Muramasa is a flawed experience that often amazes and enthrals, but never strays into the realms of modern classic it aspires to.
An old-school 2D adventure from the Japanese school of stylish platforming, Muramasa is a stunning-looking game that rivals anything on the PS3 or Xbox 360, its intense attention to detail, imaginative landscapes and wide variety of enemies feeling like a modern interpretation of the classic adventures unleashed by Japanese developer Treasure, such as the N64s befuddling Mischief Makers. And with two characters to choose from that each approach the story in a different way, and oodles of jumping action and fierce combat thats easy to get to grips with, this is one of the few Wii games thatll appeal to anyone weaned on chunky cartridges and 16-bit consoles.
Sadly, Muramasas achievements are undermined by repetitious action that sees players retreading the same levels time and time again, looking for ways to access previously-locked areas once theyve earned new skills and powers. And while the combat system likes to think its deep and offers a huge variety of ways to approach each skirmish, pounding a single attack button is enough to slaughter most enemies, made worse by the fact youll meet the same monsters again and again as you slog your way through worlds youve already visited.