I really like Otogi. And if you pressed me hard enough, I might even admit to loving it, just a little. But I am getting way ahead of myself now, especially since not enough of you will have had the pleasure of its acquaintance. Otogi: Myth of Demons is an Xbox exclusive third-person action title from the gentle loins of From Software (to whom I have pledged my firstborn child) and brought to us in Australia by Atari. And have I mentioned yet that this game is sweet beyond comprehension?

The game tells the story of Raikoh, sole survivor of a warrior clan decimated when the Great Seal was destroyed and hell was literally unleashed on earth. A mysterious princess spares Raikoh's life and commands him to purify (read: slaughter everything in sight) the land (of demons), in a bid to atone for his past sins. The plot evidently draws inspiration from Japanese folklore, and while understated, arouses an air of intrigue that permeates every pore of the game. Some may find the slow trickle of plot reveals unsatisfying, and it is, since I would have loved to learn more about the wonderfully eccentric characters. Ultimately, the plot does serve to provide backdrop for the spectacular action ' and that is where this game excels.

For a game that is all about the action, Otogi delivers a concise and intuitive set of controls that even novice gamers will take to instantly. Raikoh has two melee attacks (light and heavy) and the ability to cast magic, all corresponding to a face button each. Being a great mystic warrior, he is capable of a double jump that allows him to reach great heights, as well as to dash forward (or any other direction) indefinitely in an attractive ball of energy simply by squeezing the left trigger. There are several control configurations available to choose from, but the default scheme works splendidly.

Combat in Otogi is nothing short of bliss ' but only if you are willing to overlook a considerable shortcoming. For while enemies come in great varieties and have different attacks, very few of them exhibit signs of intelligence at all. They will sometimes block or avoid your attacks as well as countering, but their limited patterns of behaviour allow you to suss out their weaknesses with relative ease. To compensate, the game often pits you against incredibly large foes, or unbelievably agile ones, as well as a ridiculously large group (hundreds!) of demons or two ' and it works!

So what exactly makes combat such a treat if not the enemies themselves? Well, the large array of environments that Raikoh fights in is no doubt the star of this game. Objects break as you smash them or throw enemies into them, and I am not just talking about barrels and boxes here (of which there are plenty), but stone walls, ornate shrines, and entire beautifully constructed buildings ' all erected for your demolition pleasure. Things do not simply break either as they splinter, shatter or crumble accordingly, sometimes resulting in a domino effect of destruction that never ceases to amaze. As if that is not enough, the ground itself can be remolded as you slam down your enemies to produce satisfying dents and holes that you will often find yourself jumping out of after a particularly fierce battle.

Otogi is a mission-based game. You will make progress in the game through a series of (29) stages that will each take anywhere from five minutes to twenty to complete. The objectives of each mission are usually quite straightforward but varied. For a large portion of the game, you will be seeking out items, clearing levels of demons, or defeating boss characters. And while these are fun, the developers have also thrown in some creative twists (that would be a shame to spoil here) within many of the stages that require much thought of how to proceed.

As Raikoh is a being neither living nor dead and relies on magical energy to sustain his physical form, he will simply fade out of existence should his magic becomes drained (Read: restart level). This, in essence, throws a flexible count-down timer into the mix. Magical energy also governs Raikoh's health to an extent, since for as long as Raikoh possesses some his health bar will slowly recover (to an extent). But should he become exhausted of magic, his health bar will follow suit shortly after. Sadly, magical energy begins to slowly deplete the moment you begin a level, and casting magic or dashing will further speed up this process. The only ways you can delay it is by either slaying demons to absorb their energy, or collecting items that partially replenish your magic. This system works extremely well, and is actually far less cumbersome than you may imagine, saying nothing of the strategic component that exists because of it.

When you complete a level, some gold and experience are awarded to Raikoh, allowing him to level up (and improve his attack, defense, and even jumping height) as well as purchase/repair gears from the store in between missions. The equipment available to Raikoh falls into three categories: weapons, magic, and accessories. The 30+ weapons in the game range from flaming staffs to giant swords, to twin blades, and each handles quite differently and some even possess bonus abilities. Magic comes from four different schools and are each suited for different situations, with the Dragon magic able to chase down those hard-to-hit demons, and the Chimera magic capable of laying down a ring of lightning to protect Raikoh. Accessories come in the form of charms, mirrors and such, and give Raikoh a multitude of appreciated perks. While many of these can be bought from the store, rare items must be earned through completing hidden objectives. It is worth noting that Raikoh can only bring one of each category of items into battle and is not allowed to switch weapons or magic during a mission. This makes selecting the right tools for each given situation crucial to success.

With so many options and challenges, the game is decidedly not easy and is guaranteed to frustrate you from time to time ' especially toward the end. I am usually not one to stick around when games get frustrating' ask anyone! I do a thing with my teeth that the dental association would no doubt frown upon and throw down the controller, proclaiming defeat loudly to the room. Otogi though, it is so polished and addictive that replaying levels rarely becomes a chore. In fact, you can, and are encouraged (even expected) to replay the levels you have completed at any time to reap extra benefits that may aid you on your next mission. Stuck on a certain stage? Go back and unlock that extra weapon, complete secondary objectives, or gain some levels and then try that stage again!

The amount of mayhem present in any given stage of Otogi may lead you to believe that sacrifices were made either to the frame-rate or the graphical detail. I am very happy to report that not only does the game look fantastic, but the frame-rate remained solid during the most graphically intense scenes. From Software also employs many visual effects and filters ' firelights glow softly and the heated air above lava pits produce visual distortions that demands attention. A few times you may find yourself shrouded in heavy layers of dust as you smash up objects that you lose your orientation, but that is a miniscule price to pay for the show-stopping visuals on display.

I am also tempted to say that the sounds of Otogi are great and leave it at that, as you really need to experience it to truly appreciate the work done by the developers. A heady mix of drums and wind instruments provide a soundtrack that is sometimes fervent, and other times laid back, but always eerie and atmospheric. The sound effects are no slouch either, as everything from the clashing of steel to the demolishing of stone walls sound as authentic as one who has done neither can imagine.