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PS2
Rurouni
Kenshin: Enjou! Kyoto Rinne -
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NCS
Game Synopsis
«©NCSX»
The red-haired assassin Himura Kenshin is joined by
former Shinsengumi member Saito Hajime and brawler
Sagara Sanosuke in a 3D hack 'n slasher. The
background of the storyline hews close to the Kyoto
episode arc (ep28 to 62) in the animated television
series. In the transition from the Bakumatsu Period
in Japan's history to the Meiji Era, samurai were a
dying breed and foreign trade was opened up with the
West. The Meiji government set out to kill a
malcontent named Shishio Makato who had aspirations
of toppling the government and positioning himself
in the seat of power. During the assassination
attempt, Shishio was shot and burned but
miraculously survived. Bandaged from head to toe
like a mummy, Shishio conspires with ten warriors
known as the Ten Swords or Juppongatana to
put his plan of conquest in motion. To counter the
threat, Himura, Saito, and Sagara trek out to put an
end of Shishio's goals of kingship.
At the outset of the action, players may choose any of the three
swordsmen and go through their individual stories.
The game is played in fast-paced hack 'n slash
action with standard slicing strokes that are
coupled with special attacks which light up the
screen.
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NCS Game Notes
» Eighting designed the game for Banpresto.
» In the title screen, a static image of Himura and
Shishio clash swords behind the Rurouni Kenshin
logo.
» At the outset of the game, a gal presents a
voiceover + scrolling text opens up the storyline of
the Kyoto arc with a sequence of Himura meeting old
friends and clowning a bit before the seriousness of
Shishio's insurgency is realized. Animated sequences
are depicted with cel-shaded characters, voice
action, and dialogue boxes to lead the story along.
In addition to the cel-shaded sequences, footage
from the animated series couple with scrolling text
and voice overs is also used in the game to retell
the story of Rurouni Kenshin.
» Once the game begins, a training sequence opens up
where Himura goes against an old dude in straw hat
named
Kashiwazaki Nenji or Okina.
CONTROLS
L-Analog........Movement
R-Analog........Camera swivel (auto-centering)
Square...........Sword slash (Weak)
Triangle.........Sword slash (Strong)
Circle.............Forward Dash
X-Button........Jump
R1-Trigger......Block
L1-Trigger......Sheath sword and stand at ready
R2-Trigger......Center camera
L2-Trigger......Switch camera view
» Press SQUARE and TRIANGLE for a multi-hit barrage
where the sword moves so fast that it leaves a
mish-mash of light trails. To sidestep an oncoming
attack, press and hold the L1 trigger and press the
O button and Himura will move one step to the right
which may not seem like much distance but it's
enough to dodge an oncoming attack.
» A fighter in a defensive posture cannot be broken
and his defenses cannot be pierced. Sword slashes
can be pounded out in 5-hit chains before they're
reset. .
» After the two-session training mission, a music
video of sorts plays which introduces the game with
brand new artwork and animated sequences which
feature all of the characters in the game practicing
their skills against each other and battling in
all-out fierce sword clanging action. Shishio and
his 10 Swords also make an appearance in the video.
It's all very dramatic and exciting to watch as
fighters do their best to keep their honor - even
Himura in his purple blouse...
» In the next scene, Shishio in full bandage regalia
is brought into the picture with information on his
treachery and attempted killing by the Meiji
government. After that, players may choose to play
as any of the three heroes and rotate between them
with the d-pad or L-Analog.
» In Sagara's scenario, he starts the game with his
little brother and he holds a conversation with
Saito Hajime. They have a disagreement and Sagara
throws out a punch which Saito dodges with ease and
counterattacks with a punch to the side which levels
him. His little brother threatens Saito but his
quarrel is not with the youngling and he turns
around to see Sagara has risen again. Staggered but
ambitious, Sagara rushes forward and throws a punch
which pushes Segata backwards. After the
introductory cinema, a proper battle between the two
starts and players are given control. No swords are
used and the two rely on their punches to knock the
other into submission. We found that upper cuts
worked well followed by short body blows. If Saito
attacks with a punch sequence, he is left open after
his attacks are over so move in and bust him up with
a staccato of body blows (press SQUARE and TRIANGLE
together). After defeating him, a short animated
sequence plays and the player is prompted to save
progress to memory card.
» The fighting is crisp and fluid but the AI of the
lower-level enemies is in doubt. It's simple to
evade their blows since they take so long to pull
off an attack and the game is what we would consider
very forgiving for even the clumsiest of gamers.
»
The voice actors from the animation series provided
the speech for the main characters in the game.
»
Supporting cast members featured in the game include Shinomori Aoshi, Misao
Makimachi,
Kashiwazaki Nenji,
Yumi Komagata, Seijuro Hiko, and many others. All
ten motley members of the Juppongatana also appear in cel-shaded
styling.
»
Enemy bosses are for the most part, fairly adept at
their sword handling and evasive maneuvers. Players
will get to battle the members of the Juppongatana
as well as Shishio Makato himself in 3D
battlefields. The henchmen however are pretty
useless. They'll stand around and gawk as Himura or
Sagara chop down their numbers without retaliating
with any convincing effort or concerted attacks.
Some situations are comical because gangs of enemies
will chase a hero but once they catch up to him,
they just stand around and don't launch any
offensive attacks. Some henchmen are better than
others but the lower-level hoodlums are worthless.
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This document and photos are ©NCSX 2006. All rights reserved. No
reproduction in whole or in part of this document
may be made without express written consent of
National Console Support, Inc.
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