Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
| Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | SNK |
| Publisher(s) | SNK |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, PlayStation Network |
| Release date(s) |
PlayStation PlayStation Network
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| Genre(s) | Fighting game |
| Mode(s) | Up to 2 players simultaneously |
Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, known as New Chapter of Samurai Spirits, Strange Tale of the Swordsman: Revival of the Blue and Red Blade (～サムライスピリッツ新章～剣客異聞録 甦りし蒼紅の刃 ~Samurai Supirittsu Shinshō~ Kenkaku Ibunroku: Yomigaerishi Sōkō no Yaiba) in Japan, is the seventh game in SNK's Samurai Shodown series of fighting games. It was designed for the original Sony PlayStation console.
Gameplay
The first change to the earlier games was the improved character roster, which featured all new playable characters with two exceptions: Haohmaru and Hanzo Hattori, though Hattori is not actually the same man as in the earlier versions of the game. In previous versions, Hattori was Hanzo's son Shinzo, who assumed his name. Nicotine, Caffeine, Nakoruru and Rimururu - characters from the previous game - not only play a role in the story, but also are presented as playable options.
Though the game still featured 3D, SNK sought to further diminish the role of the third dimension, with no movement along the Z-axis beyond a basic dodge. Two buttons control weak and strong slashes, a third controls kick attack, and the fourth is used for dodges.
The game introduces a new life bar system, which is subdivided into three sections. The first "round" of the fight lasts until one person was drained of all three sections, upon which one section of the bar would disappear and the remaining two would refill. Once those two were drained, the second section would be dropped, with the last one refilled. This was punctuated by a pause in the action, during which the other player would go through a taunt animation. The match was finally over when one player had been drained of this last section of life.
Plot
Taking place 20 years after the events of the original games, Samurai Shodown: Warrior's Rage has the player take the role of a warrior for hire who must stop an evil gang and rescue Rimururu.[1]
Characters
Returning characters:
- Haohmaru
- Hanzo Hattori
- Nakoruru (as a non-playable Koro-pok-guru)
- Rimururu (non-playable)
New characters:
- Seishiro Kuki - protagonist who has been ordered by the government to stop his brother, Tohma.
- Jin-Emon Hanafusa - partner to Seishiro who has also been sent by the government to capture Jushiro.
- Jushiro Sakaki - the leader of the anti-government group "Atom Rebels".
- Rinka Yoshino - a member of the "Atom Rebels" who wants to restore her family name.
- Saya - the final member of the "Atom Rebels" who wants to avenge the death of her family.
- Haito Kanakura - a freelance bodyguard from Ritenkyo who fights in order to gain his freedom.
- Yaci Izanagi - a man from Ritenkyo who fights to rescue his lover, Namino.
- Ganryo the Whirlwind - a bandit leader who wants revenge for his comrades and also wants the hand of Mikoto in marriage.
- Ran Po - a young orphan who is searching for his younger sister, Minto.
- Mikoto - the daughter of Asura who sides with Oboro. She fights because she wants to be her own woman.
- Tohma Kuki - adopted brother to Seishiro who wants his brother's sword for more power.
- Oboro - the final boss of the game. He is the leader of the "Three Blades of Domination".
- Tashon Mao - a Chinese warrior who "protects" Nakoruru from strangers.
- Daruma - a wandering veteran swordsman who wants to stop Oboro.
- Minto - a young girl who wants to find her friend, Mario.
- Mugenji - a serial murderer who wants to be reborn as a butterfly.
- Yuda - a fusion product of both Asuras who appeared in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
- Samurai - a common swordsman who longs to return to his home.
- Iga ninjas - loyal warriors under the command of Hanzo.
- Oboro's amazons - servant maidens who fight for Oboro.
- Brute - a rebellious grunt who only cares for money.
Release
SNK gave the game an extremely similar English title to that of its predecessor, Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage. This generated considerable confusion, and led many to the assumption that it was a port of the second Hyper Neo Geo 64 game. It was also released in relatively limited numbers outside Japan, as the gaming market was gearing up for the release of the PlayStation 2. This meant that few people had actually seen either game, therefore the title was the factor they were aware of. Even a cursory comparison between the two games reveals that they are two very different entities. To help eliminate confusion, Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage is now frequently referred to in English-speaking circles as Warriors Rage 2, or SSWR2 for short.
External links
- A mirror of Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage official website - Japanese / English
- http://www.ign.com/games/samurai-shodown-warriors-rage/ps-13533
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