Kuon - PS2

Kuon – it’s ancient Greek for dog, don’t you know, and is the origin of the English word cynic after a Diogenes’ rather negative school of philosophy. But you’ll find neither dogs nor shabby philosophers in this game, which is named for the Japanese word Kuon, meaning eternity. Based on the spooky Japanese tradition of Kwaiden – a type of ghost story – Kuon draws you into an extremely atmospheric recreation of the Heian period of Japanese history, which ranged from 794 to 1185 AD. The period is regarded by many Japanese people as one of the most admirable in their history, and the era shaped much of what was to come, seeing as it did the rise to prominence of the Samurai warrior class. The Heian period came to an end when Minamoto Yorimoto seized power from the emperor and established the Kamakura Shogunate.

Kuon locks you in a dark and scary mansion and throws away the key, and the stylish graphics are complemented with the eerie sounds of children chanting to the accompaniment of Taiko drums, all rendered in Dolby Pro Logic II Sound. If your nerves can take it, you are invited to follow this 3D adventure through to its conclusion, as you encounter strange inhabitants of the mansion; hideous mutant creatures, sad ghostlike residents and powerful demon enemies. Master techniques using traditional weapons of the time, magic and the ability to summon powerful spirits. Blood flies all over the place in this epic title, and it isn’t difficult to believe the creators From Software when they assert that they offer up their original vision complete and unmolested – it’s an extraordinarily scary and graphic game. And with its focus on historical and cultural authenticity (you can even play the game in Japanese as an option), psychological horror and fiendishly devised monsters, it’s a very attractive offering.
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