Kuon
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2009) |
| Kuon | |
|---|---|
 European Box Art |
|
| Developer(s) | From Software |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Designer(s) | Atsushi Taniguchi |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Survival horror |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | |
Kuon (九怨) is a survival horror video game for the PlayStation 2. It was developed by From Software and published by Agetec. The game was released in 2004 in Japan and the United States. Kuon is based on an ancient type of Japanese horror story called Kwaidan. The setting is a dark and gruesome mansion in the Japanese town of Kyoto where mutated creatures and other horrors lurk. The game is set during the Heian Period of ancient Japan.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
When starting the game, players can choose between two characters. The Yin phase revolves around a girl named Utsuki. She and her sister go to the manor in search of her father, a once renowned, now renegade exorcist named Doman. The Yang phase centers on Sakuya, one of Doman's disciples and one of the rare female exorcists. She and her fellow apprentices (including her brother) are sent to the manor to investigate the strange occurrences there.
After finishing both phases, players can play a third summarizing chapter as a master exorcist named Abe no Seimei. This phase is called the Kuon phase.
During all three phases, the characters have encounters with a pair of unnamed twins. They are later revealed to be manifestations of evil mulberry trees (source: in-game documents) and they consistently appear when you are on the right path; They utter cryptic phrases to explain themselves to the character. They also sing the theme song called Hashi Zoroe, this song can be heard many times during the game.
In the third summarizing chapter, or the Kuon Phase, the first two phases are tied together. By this time you will have discovered that Doman is the real enemy. Angry at his rejection by the emperor's court (and, as documents within the game hint at, the master exorcist Abe no Seimei herself), he sets out to gain the 'ultimate power' to both prove himself and to control Seimei. He planned everything, including the sacrifice of his daughters and disciples (as well as other innocent people) through a forbidden ritual. In the Kuon Phase, the player will take the role of Seimei and solve the final mysteries, defeat Doman once and for all, and finally reach the true ending.
[edit] Gameplay
Kuon by default does not employ the survival horror control schemes made famous by franchises such as Resident Evil or Silent Hill, however such a scheme (known in survival horror games as tank control) is selectable. Pushing the analog stick in the direction you want the character to go will move her in that direction. Running drains health and attracts enemies, although running helps you move around faster. Meditation will restore health but can only be used while the character is standing still. There are two types of attacks in Kuon - melee (physical) attacks and magical attacks. The melee attacks are performed with a knife (Yin phase), a fan (Yang phase), and a spear (Kuon phase). The weapons in the first two phases are upgradeable, first to an ice-based weapon then to a fire-based one. The spear in Kuon phase is the only weapon available for that phase.
Magic is divided into two types: attack and summon, all of which are performed with spell cards or summon cards, though different spells are available in each phase. There are varying levels of fire and ice spells. Summons perform a variety of tasks, from attacking creatures for you to trapping them and causing a one-hit kill. The player may also summon creatures to serve as bodyguards as well.
