That is not to say that the Aragami is without its adult quality the effects during the kills are suitably graphic. By going for this style in place of something more realistic it actually makes the game feel more like an adventure, a story that you could have read with excitement when you were younger, rather than a hack and slash video game.

It makes you feel as though you are taking part in some great adventure brought to you through the mists of the past. It looks somewhere between anime and watercolour and really does enhance the experience of sneaking around. I have touched on the graphics of the game when discussing Aragami’s clothing but the overall look of the game is wonderful. There is little more satisfying in this game than utilising these powers to appear immediately behind an enemy and pull off the perfect stealth kill. This really does allow you freedom to strategise and move undetected. In areas where there is no shadow you can project one using your energy reserves and then warp into that. Aside from the usual walking, running and crouching, you have the option to use shadow power to warp yourself to other areas of shadow using the trigger buttons. Getting around the maps is obviously an important part of any such game but Aragami has innovation in abundance in this area. However as the game progressed and the settings became more and more restrictive it began to feel like I was trapped at the edges of each stage rather than being able to act effectively and creatively, at times it felt a bit like being railroaded onto a particular path. I really liked this element initially, even enjoying the visuals of the recharging process whereby the patterns on the back of Aragami’s clothing gradually fill up with light as he himself fills up on shadow. Thankfully, Imperial Japan provides plenty of sheltered areas for you to recharge. Aragami has his energy drained by being in the light and has it restored by remaining in shadow. The mechanics of the game focus around light and dark.

Aragami nightfall review