When one gives up living and using his soul, he can't only lose the soul but can also devote it to death... Before souls completely die they stick in The Void - an odd space between life and death. There is an outside chance to survive in The Void and even to come back from it. This chance is The Color - the only food of a dying soul wandering through the mournful realms of The Void, governed by monstrous Brothers and malicious Sisters, who are desperately struggling for the last drops of it. The Color is not only the sense of life of these mysterious creatures but also gives power and vital force to the whole Void. The Color gives you power to do almost everything even to get out of death clutches if you gain enough Color, but there is a great lack of it in the arid deserts of The Void. There is Color only for one. Be the one, get your lost soul back!
This game's selling point is its use of Okami style painting to accomplish most tasks. Amongst the intricate art style, the haunting tracks, and the cryptic characters, I have to say, this is NOT a game for the mainstream.
While there are many avenues to discover, and explore in the different realms, you constantly have to make sure you have "color" in one of you many hearts. Obviously, you start off with one, which hinders you quite a bit, but as the game progresses you are given more "hearts" that get placed throughout your body, each with a different encompassing ability. You have to attain color from lympha plants, trees, etc, and take them to the sister of the void to appease the brothers in a deceptive ploy to overtake the Void. Combat consists of using your Nerva (usable) colors to stop creature/enemy advance, but not much other than that. While you are limited to that for combat, you can use Brush techniques to give yourself a boost in defense, a charge of speed, etc to give yourself the advantage you need over your opponent or obstacle.
Again, the game is very cryptic, yet enchanting, and not for the faint of mind/heart.
Rating
gameplay 8/10
story 7/10
art 9/10
music/sound 8/10