Arashi: Castles Of Sin – Final Cut Review (PSVR2) – I unfortunately missed the original release of Arashi: Castle of Sin on the original PSVR and PS4, which is surprising.
As a lover of Assassin’s Creed-like stealth mixed with a first-person Samurai adventure, it seemed to be made for my interest.
While the game has limitations, it surprised me more than not for being released initially two years ago. Although it still looks like a PS4 game, it allowed me to live out a ninja-samurai-infused fantasy.
Arashi: Castle of Sin – Final Cut Review (PSVR2) – A VR Ghost Of Tsushima Experience
A Story As Sharp As A Katana Blade
For some of you who have read some of my previous reviews, you know that a great story can outshine lackluster gameplay in my eyes. While the problems I found in the game can become frustrating, the story and the fun of being a Samurai kept me in the game for hours.
You are a supernatural being that is a shadow in samurai form—conjured from the agony of the suffering people of this land being tormented and murdered by the evil Oni. This gives the player a sense of responsibility that translates well to the desire to take out these demons.
Each level is a new target. The goal is to get to the target and end the suffering they are causing. It’s a simple loop that does its job perfectly. I was dedicated to getting through the entire level, unseen and undamaged.
I was motivated by the goal of avenging these people. That in itself is the highest compliment I can give a game. The way the game instills the goal into you is the most motivating feeling you can give in a game. This transcends fun gameplay or blemishes the game may have.
You’re more willing to overlook issues to maintain the feeling the story gives you. I genuinely hope we return to this franchise and world with a current-gen focus.
It Makes You Feel Like Jin Sakai From Ghost Of Tsushima
I never got the privilege of holding a Katana in my real life. While I hope to change this eventually, Arashi is currently the closest I’ve ever been. The game wastes no time throwing you into the action of its dark, vengeful situations.
The premise of the story is simple, straightforward, and motivating. As a shadow samurai, you are conjured to seek out justice for the people of this land who are wrongfully enslaved, tortured, and killed by six evil Oni.
Arashi does a great job showing you what you’re doing and how to do it. The game is made well enough that what you try to do translates to ‘If you had a sword, use it like a sword.’
Blocking, slashing, and stealth assassination all come second nature. Never has me pretending to be a Jedi as a child…and adult….ever come in hand as much as it has during this game.
The gameplay impressed me the most during my time with Arashi. Without overcomplicating the controls, everything from the swordplay to throwing smoke bombs when you get too overwhelmed felt intuitive.
Multiple times, I was in tall grass sneaking around the back of a guard and got the sensation I was Jin Sakai or Ezio from Ghost of Tsushima or Assassin’s Creed. This is only amplified by getting more weapons and gadgets.
Throwing Ninja stars, shooting your bow at guards high up to stay hidden, or using your blow dart to get groups of enemies dazed to take them out without a sound had me ecstatic every time.
While I loved most of my time with Arashi, the game has a few drawbacks. This mostly comes from when and for what system the game was initially made.
Still Feeling The Downsides To PlayStation Move
Arashi: Castle of Sin suffers from only one thing, and that one thing is timing. I missed the game’s original release on PS4 and PSVR because of my attention to the PS5.
This is unfortunate. The world, gameplay, and story are all things I genuinely love and would have been very invested in if I hadn’t been so initially distracted by the new PlayStation hardware.
So when it was announced that it would be coming to PSVR2 and PS5, I was thrilled. Unfortunately, some of the systems and mechanics originally designed for PSVR and the Move controllers left me wanting more.
My biggest issue was controlling Haru, an excellent wolf companion. Before I speak negatively about the best doggo ever, I have to say that I feel like this was the most disappointing because of how much I wanted to use him in situations.
You can use Haru to distract guards, dig up gold, and pin guards down to open them up for final blows. Often, I had issues getting Haru to go precisely where I wanted them or even attacking Guards when combat was engaged.
Games like Synapse or Horizon: Call of the Mountain being made from the ground up for PSVR2 and PS5 show what Arashi: Castel of Sin could have been if made for the current generation.
Nevertheless, even with the game having some gameplay and visual drawbacks from being an enhanced PSVR and PS4 game, Arashi: Castle of Sin – Final Cut is still one of my favorite VR experiences I’ve gotten my hands on. With more focus on the current gen, Arashi could be a system-selling game. Here’s hoping there is another game in the series to reach Arashi’s full potential.
Arashi: Castle of Sin – Final Cut is now available on PS5 and PS VR2.
Review code kindly provided by the publisher.