Kuon

First let me start by saying I consider myself a horror connoisseur. I own an extensive horror movie collection on dvd & I don't scare easy.

Now, I was in an electronics store about a month ago and saw this title KUON for the PS2. I have never heard of this game before (later finding out that it is a rare find).

So after being inticed by the description on the back, I took it home. Also because it was the only copy.

Once I put in the disc and started playing, I was hooked. And let me tell you there are several moments where I felt chills & actually started getting scared with wondering what's coming next. You forget you are playing a game.

The visuals are superb. And the background music only adds to the eeriness.

At times I thought this game would not end (which is a good thing) after finishing the Yin phase, the Yang phase, and then was suprised when the Kuon phase opened up. Add the puzzles and hidden items for a pleasantly complex experience.

I have finished the game and opened up the Sugoroku game. Total time of game play was about 15 hours (which makes this game worth every last penny), not including the times I had to keep going back to my last save spot because I got killed.

I know I am a little late on reviewing this game but since I just discovered it, I had say something about it. I Love It!!!

This game has also inspired me to go back and purchase other survival horror games like all 4 of the Silent Hill series, Haunting Ground, etc.

The best way to play this game is at night with all the lights off. But you probably already know that.

A Playstation 2 exclusive, KUON was quietly released in December 2004. Developed by From Software, the masterminds behind XBOX's OTogi series, Kuon is a beautiful and scary survival horror game that dereves more attention than it has recieved. The North American version states it is the full uncut version which was edited in Japan. The developers obviously were insprired by Tecmo's popular "Fatal Frame" series and Capcom's "Onimusha" franchise. The results are pretty good.

In Kuon you play several characters hut initially start by choosing between two sisters seeking their father in ancient Japan. While getting seperated you pay each sister to learn their story all the while exploring blood soaked shrines and a decaying Fuedal lord's manor. During your explorating you learn magic spells, fights demons and dig through the odd dead body or two, all while being stalked by horrific Japanese demons.

In the second half of the game you play the master Onmyoji (a Shinto exorcist) to learn the truth about Kuon.

Graphically the game is pretty good- the FMVs are particularly nice. Game control is a pretty smooth 3rd person perspective without the annoying "Resident Evil" control scheme which usually pops up in this genre of games. The game does get hard to see in some darker areas and the paths the characters walk on are soemtimes confining but these are minor gripes.

The sound effects and music are used to maximum effect and really add to the creep atmosphere of the game. Developers really seemed to borrow from "Fatal Frame 2" with the Japanese taiko drums, children chanting and crisp footfall sounds all used to add to suspense.

The game does use a vertigo/ system where characters get disoriented if they get scared. I have never been a big fan of this feature(particularly in the Clock Tower series) but here it isnt that annoying and actually adds a touch of believability to the game.

Overall Kuon is a solid release and an absolute must buy for fans of Survival Horror. Those who like their games heavy on non-stop action may need to look else where but for everyone else its a great way spend a few scary hours.

Kuon is a true diamond in the rough. It was barely noticed in the American market, but is a more than worthy entry the survival horror genre. It's a lot like Fatal Frame in atmosphere. One of its more interesting aspects is your ability to play as three different in different yet interlocking storylines to unlock the mystery of Kuon. On the downside, it has many more load points than it should, and while the loading time is only about 6 seconds, it really breaks up the flow of play. I also thought that it was odd that the character's mouths don't move when they speak.

Inany case, though, definitely worth buying if you're a fan of Fatal Frame, Silent Hill, and/or Resident Evil.