Living woodblock prints, cursed blades, and a Japan of legend hand-painted down to the smallest petal.

Muramasa's profile is crystal clear: it's carried by its beauty. Art direction places it ahead of 92% of games, that's its obvious signature. And it isn't an isolated aesthetic fluke, controller feel follows ahead of 83% of titles, fun ahead of 71%, the OST around 66%, all on few votes so to be confirmed, but the trend holds together. The only snag is connection, which stays below the middle, ahead of 36% of games. You admire it, you enjoy it, but the intimate bond is slow to form.

In the 2D action-RPG aisle, Muramasa is a rare object, made by Vanillaware, where every backdrop could be framed. Next to the big productions, it bets everything on craft and the gesture of combat.

So, who's it for? For you if you love sumptuous 2D, elegant hack and slash, and Japanese imagery. Much less if you're after a character to truly hold onto, beyond the pure visual splendor.