Bushido Blade (video game)

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This article is about the fighting game. For other meanings, see Bushido Blade.
Bushido Blade
Bushido Blade US Case
Developer(s) Light Weight
Publisher(s) JP Squaresoft
NA SCEA
PAL SCEE
Designer(s) Tetsuo Mizuno (executive producer)
Shinji Hosoe (composer)
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release date JP March 14, 1997
NA September 30, 1997
PAL February 1, 1998
Genre(s) Fighting
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s) ESRB: T (Teen)
ELSPA: 18+
Media 1 CD-ROM

Bushido Blade (ブシドーブレード Bushidō Burēdo?) is a 3D fighting game developed by Light Weight and published by Squaresoft and Sony for the PlayStation. The game features one-on-one armed combat. Its name refers to the Japanese code of honor, Bushidō.

Upon its release, the realistic fighting system in Bushido Blade was seen as quite innovative. A direct sequel, Bushido Blade 2, was released on the PlayStation a year later. Another game with a related title and gameplay, Kengo: Master of Bushido, was also developed by Light Weight for the PlayStation 2.

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

[edit] Fighting system and environments

The bulk of the gameplay in Bushido Blade revolves around one-on-one third-person battles between two opponents. Unlike most fighting games, however, no time limit or health gauge is present during combat. In the game's "Body Damage System," opponents are able to physically disable each other in increments with hits from an equipped weapon, slowing their attacking and running speed; cripple them; or even kill them in a single strike.[1] One of the game's most distinctive aspects is its use of the Japanese honor code of Bushidō. During the game's story mode, players must battle honorably by adhering to certain rules within combat. Actions such as attacking from behind prompt an automatic game over at the end of some battles.[1] The game features eight weapons to choose from in many of its modes, including katana, nodachi, long sword, saber, broadsword, naginata, rapier, and sledgehammer. Each weapon has a realistic weight and length, giving each one fixed power, speed, and an ability to block. A variety of attacks combinations can executed by the player using button sequences with the game's "Motion Shift System," where one swing of a weapon is followed through with another.[1] Many of these attacks are only available in one of three stances, switched using the shoulder buttons: high, neutral, and low. The player also has a choice of one out of six playable characters. Similar to the weapons, each one has a different level of strength and speed, and a number of unique special attacks. Some characters have a subweapon that can be thrown as well.

Characters in Bushido Blade also have the ability to run, jump, and climb within the 3D environments. Because battles are not limited to small arenas, the player is encouraged to freely explore during battle. The castle compound which most of the game takes place in acts as a large hub area of interconnected smaller areas including a cherry blossom grove, a moat, and a bridge labyrinth. Some areas, such as the bamboo thicket, allow some interaction.

[edit] Modes

In addition to the game's single player story mode, Bushido Blade contains a two-player versus mode and a link mode that supports the Playstation link cable. Other single player options include a practice mode and a first person mode. Slash mode pits the player's katana-wielding character against a long string of 100 enemies, one after the other.

[edit] Plot

[edit] Setting and story

Bushido Blade takes place during an unknown period on an island near the southern mountains of Japan. A fictional, five century year-old dojo known as Meikyokan lies within this region, and teaches the disciplines of the master Narukagami Shinto. A society of assassins known as Kage also resides within the dojo. One day, a Kage escapes the confines of the dojo with its secrets. Several other members of the society, under penalty of death, are sent to dispatch the defector, only catching up to him (or her) within the ruins of the surrounding Yin and Yang Labyrinth Castle. The player takes on the role of the escaped assassin, fighting his or her way back to the dojo by killing comrades one by one. The game story differs with each character selected.

[edit] Characters

  • Red Shadow
  • Tatsumi
  • Mikado
  • Black Lotus
  • Utsuemi
  • Kannuki
  • Katze
  • Sazanka
  • Hokkyoku Tsubame
  • Hanzaki
  • Kindachi
  • Hongou Takeru

[edit] Audio

The score for Bushido Blade was created by Namco and Arika composer Shinji Hosoe with contributions by Ayako Saso and Takayuki Aihara. It was released with the soundtrack for Square's Driving Emotion Type-S, also composed by the trio, on a two-disc set in 2001. Unlike many other Square soundtracks of the era which were released by DigiCube, the music, copyrighted by Hosoe, was published by his own Super Sweep Records company.[2] The Bushido Blade disc contains 23 tracks.

Much of the music utilizes the flute and violin, as well as a traditional Japanese instrument, the shamisen.[2] Bushido Blade also uses voice acting from seiyūs such as Chikao Ōtsuka, Makio Inoue, and Hidekatsu Shibata.

[edit] Reception

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In North America Bushido Blade was critically well received. IGN rated the game an 8.7 out of 10. The review stated "I can't recommend Bushido Blade enough. Simply amazing." The gameplay mechanics were considered foreign by some, and required some practice. [3] Gamespot similarly rated the game well with an 8.9 out of 10 rating, stating "Bushido Blade is a bold undertaking, but a remarkably successful one." [4]

In Japan, Bushido Blade was the 25th best selling game of 1997, selling nearly 388,000 copies.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c (1997) in Square Co.: Bushido Blade instruction manual (in English). Square Co., 3, 9, 13. SCUS-94180. 
  2. ^ a b Dragon God. Driving Emotion Type-S / Bushido Blade Original Soundtrack. Chuduahs-Corner.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.
  3. ^ Bushido Blade IGN Review. psx.ign.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  4. ^ Bushido Blade Gamespot Review. gamespot.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  5. ^ 1997 Top 30 Best Selling Japanese Console Games. The-MagicBox.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.

[edit] External links

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