Director Motohide Eshiro recently shared his thoughts on the revamped visual appeal of the game, highlighting the distinct improvement brought by HD resolution paired with a smooth 60FPS performance. These updates not only enhance the overall aesthetic but also make the swordfighting sequences feel sharper and more engaging. With the shift in TV standards towards widescreen formats, the game now stretches across a wide display. This adjustment provides a closer look at the action-packed battles, pushing players into a more thrilling and atmospheric gaming experience.
My playthrough echoed Eshiro’s sentiments. The swordfights are incredibly responsive. Each clash and parry in the game feels precise, especially when navigating narrow temple hallways. Battling wave after wave of demons, I worked on perfecting issen hits—devastating counter-strikes—while gathering enemy souls to level up. The entire experience is both challenging and rewarding.
According to Eshiro, introducing new players to this remastered version should evoke the same feelings as players had back in 2002. Retaining the essence and charm of the original game meant balancing classic elements with current gaming standards. Interestingly, even back then, the original team’s high-quality assets could have shined much brighter if not for the outdated display technology. By employing the latest upscaling and enhancing techniques, the game now reveals its details on HD screens as it was truly intended. Video components of the environment, like flowing rivers, now appear more vibrant and lifelike, adding to the game’s allure.
