Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

InuYasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask delivers a classic JRPG formula with its turn-based battles and random encounters. As you explore feudal Japan’s forests, villages, and ruins, enemies will spring at frequent intervals, testing your party’s composition and skill usage. Each encounter gives you the opportunity to attack physically, unleash special techniques unique to Inuyasha and Kagome, or execute powerful combo attacks that chain multiple characters’ abilities in a single turn.

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Character growth follows a traditional leveling system: you earn experience points from battles and find or buy equipment to boost your stats. While the leveling curve can feel a bit steep—requiring grinding to keep up with enemy strength—the ability to switch between your custom protagonist (boy or girl) and the series’ main duo adds strategic depth. Special “team combos” unlock as your bond with Inuyasha and Kagome deepens, encouraging you to rotate party members and try different tactical approaches.

Beyond combat, exploration is straightforward yet satisfying. You’ll solve basic puzzles to open chests, push boulders aside, or find hidden shrine keys. NPC interactions are sparse but meaningful, often rewarding you with side quests that tie back into the main story or grant unique items. While the world map is linear, memorable set-pieces—like a fog-shrouded temple or a demon-infested cemetery—help each area feel distinct.

Graphics

The game’s visual style embraces the cel-shaded look that fans of the anime will appreciate. Character models capture InuYasha’s fiery hair and Kagome’s school uniform with crisp lines and bright colors. Although the polygon counts are modest by modern standards, the art direction leans into a storybook charm, ensuring that even NPCs feel like they belong in Takahashi Rumiko’s universe.

Environmental detail varies from scene to scene. Lush bamboo forests and moss-covered ruins are rendered with layered parallax effects, while dungeon corridors can appear repetitive after a few hours of play. Occasional texture pop-in and camera clipping may remind you of the game’s mid-2000s hardware origins, but for the most part, the animations—especially in skill sequences—remain fluid and expressive.

Cutscenes blend in-game graphics with hand-drawn anime panels. Key story moments, such as the first meeting with Inuyasha or the dramatic unveiling of a cursed demon, are accompanied by static illustrations that heighten emotional impact. Although voice acting is limited to battle cries and grunts rather than full dialogue, the soundtrack’s traditional Japanese instrumentation and energetic battle themes help fill the gaps.

Story

Secret of the Cursed Mask weaves its narrative around the series’ main plot while giving you a personalized perspective. Whether you choose the male or female protagonist, the core story remains the same: you stumble upon an enigmatic symbol in modern-day Tokyo, only to be pulled back into Sengoku-era turmoil. From the outset, the game strikes a balance between nostalgic fan service and fresh moments that expand the InuYasha lore.

Meeting Inuyasha and Kagome never gets old, and their chemistry shines through even in scripted cutscenes. As you accompany them to retrieve the shards of the Sacred Jewel, you’ll witness both iconic battles from the anime and original side adventures that explore lesser-known facets of feudal life. The writing leans toward simplicity, but emotional beats—such as a reunion between long-lost friends or a sacrifice to seal away a powerful demon—land with satisfying weight.

One minor drawback is the near-identical overlap between the boy and girl routes. Aside from a few dialogue changes and slight variations in character reactions, both storylines unfold almost identically. Fans seeking radically different perspectives might feel short-changed, but newcomers will enjoy the streamlined narrative that keeps pacing brisk across its eight main chapters.

Overall Experience

InuYasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask shines brightest for fans of the anime series, offering a faithful journey alongside beloved characters in a fully voiced, animated world. Its blend of traditional RPG mechanics—random battles, level grinding, equipment upgrades—and anime-style presentation makes for a comforting, if occasionally repetitive, adventure.

Replay value hinges largely on your attachment to the franchise and desire to experience both protagonist routes. While the story beats remain familiar, the game’s 20-plus hours of exploration, side quests, and team combo unlocks provide ample incentive to revisit key locations. Battle difficulty can be tuned up or down, catering both to casual players and veteran RPG enthusiasts.

Ultimately, Secret of the Cursed Mask stands as a solid adaptation of the InuYasha universe. It may not redefine the genre, but its heartfelt storytelling, endearing graphics, and dependable gameplay loop deliver a rewarding ride for anyone longing to step into feudal Japan with swords, magic, and the hunt for the Sacred Jewel.

Retro Replay Score

null/10