Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die

Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die

Cover art for the original Sega Saturn release, featuring protagonist Sakura Shinguji
Developer(s)
Publisher(s) Sega
Director(s) Shinichi Ito
Producer(s) Oji Hiroi
Artist(s)
Writer(s) Satoru Akahori
Composer(s) Kohei Tanaka
Series Sakura Wars
Platform(s) Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable
Release
Genre(s)
Mode(s) Single-player

Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die (Japanese: サクラ大戦2 〜君、死にたもうことなかれ〜, Hepburn: Sakura Taisen Tsū: Kimi, Shinita Mōko to Nakare) is a video game co-developed by Red Company and Sega CS2 R&D for the Sega Saturn. The second entry in the Sakura Wars series, it was published by Sega in 1998. Defined as a "dramatic adventure" game, Sakura Wars 2 combines overlapping tactical role-playing, dating sim and visual novel gameplay elements.

Taking place two years after the events of the original Sakura Wars, Imperial Army ensign Ichiro Ogami returns from training overseas to rejoin the all-female Flower Division of the Imperial Assault Force, a military unit dedicated to fighting supernatural threats against Tokyo while maintaining their cover as a theater troop. The Flower Division is caught up in a new supernatural battle and pressure from hostile political forces.

Development of Sakura Wars 2 began development following the critical and commercial success of the first game, with returning main staff including series creator Oji Hiroi, director Shinichi Ito, artists Kōsuke Fujishima and Hidenori Matsubara, writer Satoru Akahori and composer Kohei Tanaka. The game's subtitle was taken from a famous war poem by Japanese writer Akiko Yosano, and the anime sequences were created by Production I.G. Upon release it was praised by critics and outsold its predecessor, going on to become the best-selling entry in the series. A direct sequel, Sakura Wars 3: Is Paris Burning?, was released for the Dreamcast in 2001.

Gameplay

The two main gameplay modes of Sakura Wars are social interaction using the LIPS system (above), and turn-based strategic battles which is directly influenced by earlier LIPS interaction (below).

Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die is set in Tokyo during a fictionalized version of the Taishō period, with players taking the role of Ichiro Ogami and the all-female Imperial Assault Force. The gameplay segments, which play out across multiple episodes, incorporate tactical role-playing, dating sim and visual novel elements.[1][2] Gameplay is divided between periods where Ogami navigates the Imperial Theater and interacts with various characters, and combat sequences governed by a turn-based battle system upon a tilted grid-based battlefield.[2][3]

During the social sections, Ogami navigates the theater during limited time sequences between battles. During these sequences, when talking with both the main heroines of the Flower Division and supporting characters, conversations rely on the series' LIPS (Live & Interactive Picture System) system, in this game dubbed "Double LIPS"; when faced with critical choices in the course of a conversation, conversation options are displayed with a time limit for the player to select a response. Depending on the type of response, the character may respond positively or negatively, impacting their relationship with Ogami and future interactions. The strength of each character's bond with Ogami is represented by a bar below the dialogue box. In addition to normal LIPS segments, Ogami can engage in conversations with multiple characters, the result of which also impacts character relationships, and new responses appearing mid-conversation depending on earlier choices. Other actions within LIPS include holding the cursor over parts of a character's portrait to trigger internal monologues and varying responses from the characters.[2][4] Each main heroine has different personality quirks that must be taken into consideration while talking with them.[5]

During combat segments, the Flower Division fight demon monsters using machines called Koubu. Each unit has their own turn, with each turn allowing two actions. These actions include "Attack", "Defend", "Move", "Deathblow" (a critical strike that kills an enemy in one hit), Charge (store energy for a more powerful action during the next turn), and Heal (which restores health points to a chosen unit). Different units specialize in different skills, such as support actions, melee attacks, or distance attacks—along with their range of movement, each unit also has an independent range in which they can perform actions. Each unit's critical strike is accompanied by a dedicated cinematic. The player can also issue Commands in battle to make the Flower Division take specific battle formations, and two units can pair up for a powerful attack on a single enemy. Actions taken during LIPS sequences with members of the Flower Division directly impact battles; skillful performances during LIPS segments raise a character's Motivation, granting status increases and improving combat ability.[2][3][4][5]

Synopsis

Sakura Wars 2 takes place in Tokyo two years after the events of Sakura Wars. Having returned from training overseas, Imperial Army ensign Ichiro Ogami reunites with his companions in the Imperial Assault Force, a section of the Imperial Army who use their spiritual power to defend Tokyo from supernatural threats while also performing as a theater troop. Soon after Ogami's return, the Imperial Assault Force are confronted by a group of black magicians dubbed the Black Demons, led by their earlier nemesis Aoi Satan—revealed to be Shinnosuke Yamazaki, a former comrade of Imperial Assault Force commander Ikki Yoneda from earlier conflicts with demons who was presumed killed but in fact corrupted by evil forces. The group defeat Yamazaki, who is then killed by the revived group's true leader, a mysterious masked man dubbed the Demon King. They are joined in their fight by two new members—the aristocratic Japanese-Italian Orihime Soletta, and the emotionally-distant Reni Milchstrasse. The group is directly attacked when Yoneda is apparently assassinated.

Yoneda' place is filled by Kaede Fujieda, sister of Sakura Wars protagonist Ayame Fujieda. With Yoneda gone, the Flower Division comes under political pressure from Keigo Kyogoku, a former Imperial Army officer turned formidable and callous politician who believes the Imperial Assault Force are unnecessary. The group are forced into hiding when Kyogoku launches a military coup d'état against Tokyo's government and the group's theater bace. Kyogoku is revealed to be the guiding hand behind the Black Demons, having orchestrated events to reactivate a dormant magical weapon and rule as king. The Imperial Assault Force—along with Yoneda, who survived the assassination attempt, and Kaede, who survived the assault on the theatre—launch an assault on the weapon, with Sakura facing the Demon King himself—his defeat reveals him to be Sakura's resurrected father Kazuma Shinguji. Their combined power destroys the weapon and kills Kyogoku, allowing Tokyo to return to normal. Following a promotion to Lieutenant, Ogami is sent overseas to train a new Assault Force.

Development and release

The original Sakura Wars was an ambitious project that many of its core staff did not think would be a commercial success. Upon release, it was a critical and commercial success. Riding on the success of Sakura Wars, Sega greenlit a sequel.[6][7] The game was co-developed by Red Company and Sega CS2 R&D, who had produced the original game. Oji Hiroi returned as producer, Shinichi Ito as director, Satoru Akahori as writer, Hidenori Matsubara and Kōsuke Fujishima as the character designers, and Kohei Tanaka as composer.[2][7] Teruyu Terada, who would later work on the PlayStation 2 remake of Sakura Wars, acted as battle designer.[8]

The development team used the basic work done for Sakura Wars while expanding and improving existing battle and dialogue functions, in addition to taking player feedback into consideration while making alterations. The amount of added content resulted in the number of discs increasing from two to three. The storyline was designed to be darker than that of Sakura Wars, featuring darker themes and political elements. Kyogoku's attempted coup was based upon the February 26 Incident.[7] The game's subtitle was taken from the title of a famous anti-war poem written by Japanese author and poet Akiko Yosano, tying into the game's themes and story.[7][9] The anime cutscenes were created by studio Production I.G. Sakura Wars 2 was their first work on the Sakura Wars series.[10][11]

Sakura Wars 2 was first announced in October 1997.[12] The game was released for the Sega Saturn on April 4, 1998. A later port for the Dreamcast released on September 21, 2000.[13] It was later ported to Microsoft Windows personal computers (PC). It was released for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME systems on March 1, 2001; and for Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 and Windows XP on March 20, 2003.[13][14] Due to the game's size, these versions were released on multiple CD-ROMs.[15] The CD-ROM PC version was localized and released in Russia on December 24, 2008.[16] A DVD-ROM version was released for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista on January 25, 2007.[13][15] It was ported with the original game to the PlayStation Portable and released on March 9, 2006.[17] Wider localization efforts for the series were prevented due to Sega's uncertainly as to whether the game's blend of genres would find a profitable audience outside Japan.[18]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Famitsu33/40 [19]
RPGFan85%[20]

During its first week on sale, Sakura Wars 2 sold over 355,000 units, selling through nearly 70% of its shipments. Its total sales during 1999 reached over 509,000 units, going on to become the fifth best-selling Saturn title of all time in Japan.[21] During its first week on sale, the Dreamcast port sold over 63,000 units, selling through nearly 70% of its shipments. As of 2004, the port has sold just over 90,000 units.[22] As of 2008, Sakura Wars 2 is the best-selling video game in the Sakura Wars series.[23]

Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu gave the game a score of 33/40, with the title generally receiving praise for its polished mechanics and storyline despite a lack of innovation.[19] At the 1998 Animation Kobe event, Sakura Wars 2 was awarded in the "Packaged Work" category alongside the original video animation series Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms.[24]

Legacy

Sakura Wars 2 was the last entry in the series developed for the Saturn, as the next entry—Sakura Wars 3: Is Paris Burning?—was developed for the Dreamcast, releasing in 2001.[25][26] Ogami's foreign travels portrayed in Sakura Wars 3 were intended to continue into the next entry, but due to the discontinuation of the Dreamcast, the concept was reworked and Sakura Wars 4: Fall in Love, Maidens released in 2002 as the culmination of the series on Sega consoles.[27][28][29] The original plans for Sakura Wars 4 were carried over to the next entry for the PlayStation 2, released overseas as Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love.[1][28]

References

  1. 1 2 Lada, Jenni (2006-04-24). "Important Importables: Sakura Taisen". TechnologyTell. Archived from the original on 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 サクラ大戦2 〜君、死にたもうことなかれ〜 (in Japanese). Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die Website. Archived from the original on 1998-12-05. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  3. 1 2 サクラ大戦2 〜君、死にたもうことなかれ〜 マニュアル [Sakura Wars 2: You Shall Not Die Manual] (in Japanese). Sega. 1998-04-04.
  4. 1 2 サクラ２ 戦闘パート攻略指南 (in Japanese). Sakura Wars 2 Dreamcast Website. Archived from the original on 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  5. 1 2 サクラ２ ADVパート恋愛指南 (in Japanese). Sakura Wars 2 Dreamcast Website. Archived from the original on 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  6. ↑ "Project S: The People Who Made Sakura Wars (プロジェクトS 『サクラ大戦』 を創った人々 Purojekuto S “Sakura Taisen” O Tsukutta Hitobito)" Red Entertainment, Sega CS2 R&D (2003-02-27). サクラ大戦～熱き血潮に～ プレミアムDVD [Sakura Wars: In Hot Blood Premium DVD] (DVD) (Video) (in Japanese). Sega.
  7. 1 2 3 4 サクラ大戦2 君、死にたもうことなかれ 原画&設定資料集 [Sakura Wars 2: Beloved, You Must Not Die Original Picture & Setting Material Collection] (in Japanese). SoftBank Creative. 1998. ISBN 4-7973-0755-2.
  8. ↑ 開発者インタビュー「Creators Note」 ＃１０ 寺田 貴治 (in Japanese). Sega. Archived from the original on 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  9. ↑ 「東京ゲームショウ2002」閉幕。来場者数は約13万人各種イベントレポートをお届け…… (in Japanese). Game Watch Impress. 2002-09-22. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  10. ↑ "Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die". Production I.G. Archived from the original on 2006-05-08. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  11. ↑ Dorimaga (in Japanese). SoftBank Creative (21): 44. 2002-03-08.
  12. ↑ Dengeki Sega Saturn. ASCII Media Works (Vol 7). 1997-10-09.
  13. 1 2 3 サクラ大戦.com ゲームタイトル紹介 - サクラ大戦２～君、死にたもうことなかれ～ (in Japanese). Sakura Wars Portal Site. Archived from the original on 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  14. ↑ 「サクラ大戦2～君、死にたもうことなかれ～」本日発売非売品マウスパッド、ポスターをプレゼント (in Japanese). Game Watch Impress. 2001-03-01. Archived from the original on 2013-06-29. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  15. 1 2 豪華特典付き！『サクラ大戦』シリーズ4作品がDVD-ROMで登場 (in Japanese). Dengeki Online. 2006-11-28. Archived from the original on 2016-07-06. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  16. ↑ "Акелла - Игры - Войны Сакуры 2" (in Russian). Akella. Archived from the original on 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  17. ↑ サクラ大戦.com ゲームタイトル紹介 - サクラ大戦1&2 (in Japanese). Sakura Wars Portal Site. Archived from the original on 2017-04-04. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  18. ↑ "Letter of the Month: Sakura, Sakura, Sakura". Official Dreamcast Magazine (US). Dennis Publishing (7): 12. September 2000.
  19. 1 2 セガサターン - サクラ大戦2 〜君、死にたもうことなかれ〜. Famitsu. Enterbrain (487): 29. 1996-04-17.
  20. ↑ Sagami, Kei (2001). "RPGFan Reviews - Sakura Taisen 2". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  21. ↑ "Sega Saturn Japanese Ranking". Japan Game Charts. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  22. ↑ "Sega Dreamcast Japanese Ranking". Japan Game Charts. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  23. ↑ Famitsu. Enterbrain (487): 54. 2008-02-08.
  24. ↑ 「サクラ大戦」が「第３回アニメーション神戸」において、「作品賞・パッケージ部門」を受賞！ (in Japanese). Sega. 1999. Archived from the original on 1999-08-23. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  25. ↑ Sato, Yukiyoshi Ike (2000-04-27). "Sakura Project 2000 Details". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  26. ↑ サクラ大戦.com ゲームタイトル紹介 - サクラ大戦３～巴里は燃えているか～ (in Japanese). Sakura Wars Portal Site. Archived from the original on 2017-04-04. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  27. ↑ 2002年春、ドリームキャスト最後の超大作「サクラ大戦4」遂に映画化! 12月22日「サクラ大戦 活動写真」劇場公開 (in Japanese). Game Watch Impress. 2001-06-25. Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  28. 1 2 セガ、PS2「サクラ大戦V」発売記念トークショーを実施広井王子氏らが「太正浪漫」の裏話などを披露 (in Japanese). Game Watch Impress. 2005-07-07. Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  29. ↑ セガ、DC「サクラ大戦4」発売日を3月21日に決定Xbox「ガンヴァルキリー」、PS2「NFL2K2」なども決定 (in Japanese). Game Watch Impress. 2002-01-08. Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
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