“The game’s distinct artistic flair gets a significant boost with HD resolution and 60FPS, which really enhances the responsiveness of the swordplay,” notes Director Motohide Eshiro. “Given the shift towards widescreen TVs over the years, we’ve adjusted the game to fit these broader displays. This not only zooms in on the action but also ramps up the excitement and immersion during battle scenes.”
I completely agree with this sentiment. The sword fighting feels incredibly precise—it’s seamless to attack and defend, creating a very close and personal combat experience. This intimacy is felt intensely in the temple corridors, where I’m battling relentless waves of demons. I’m continuously honing my skill at executing an issen hit, a powerful counterattack, all while absorbing enemy souls to boost my experience points.
“Players trying out this remaster in 2025 should feel the same thrill that enchanted gamers back in 2002,” Eshiro continues. “This meant we had to keep the heart and charm of the original game intact while modernizing certain elements to meet current gaming expectations. We were fortunate to have access to the original game’s assets, which were surprisingly high-quality even in 2002. The limitation back then was the standard-definition CRT technology of the era, which didn’t do justice to the assets’ original quality. So now, we’ve utilized a range of contemporary upscaling and enhancement techniques to showcase their full detail on today’s HD displays. This includes the dynamic video elements of the backgrounds, with scenes like flowing rivers appearing more striking than ever.”
