KENGO: Master of Bushido FAQ
============================
Contents:
0.PRESENTATION
1.CHARACTER BIO
2.CHARACTERS POTENTIAL
3.MOVELIST
4.COMMENTARY on MECHANICS/STATS
5.MISC INFORMATION/SECRETS
6.CHEATS & CODES
7.FAMOUS SAMURAI QUOTES
8.PROPS & SPECIAL THANKS
0. PRESENTATION
===============
Japan's Genroku Period was from 1688 to 1704. The Age of Bloody
warfare had ended & warriors could no longer make a name for themselves
through battle. Yet there were those who were fascinated by the Arts of
Swordsmanship. They trained hard each day, polishing their skills...
like the blade of their razor-sharp swords. The Samurai single-mindedly
devoted their lives to the way of the sword. No one may ever really know
why the chose such a hard life. Thrust into a world where they battled-
never ending fear, they put everything they had into each stroke.
Survival only came to those who no longer feared death. Now it is your
turn to follow the path of a Sword Master.
To become Kengo, Sword Master, requires absolute commitment.
Studying in a Dojo is only the beginning. You must test your stamina
under an ice cold waterfall, learn absolute concentration with Zen
monks, and hone your speed and accuracy in a bamboo forest. All of these
skills will be vital as you face Samurai intent on your death. Custom
combinations, lightning reflexes and precision timing all combine to
make you a formidable opponent. But be prepared, only the bravest,
strongest and swiftest will win the Emperor's Tournament to become
Master of Bushido.
1. CHARACTER BIO
================
Taketsune Nakayama
Born the elder son of a Samurai of the Shibata Clan. His parents died
and he lost his family home when he was very young. Taketsune was raised
by his elder sister who married into another family, he has vowed to
live by the sword and restore his family honor.
Shozaemon Hyuga
His father, who ran a Dojo in Kagoshima, was brutally murdered when he
was but a small child. His grief-stricken mother commited suicide. The
family dojo was closed down & he was shipped off to Edo (Fedual Tokyo)
to be raised by relatives. One day while watching a duel, he recognized
the voice of one of the Samurai. It was his fathers murderer. Swearing
revenge for his fathers death & his mothers shame... Shoezaemon went to
one of the city's training halls to learn Bushido & the Art
Swordsmanship!
Yasutomo Yoshimura
Although born the son of a farmer, in his childhood years he learned the
basics of sword fighting from a respected Ronin. Yoshimura was falsely
charged with murder and he was forced to flee to Edo. He made his living
using the sword skills he'd learned as a child.
2.CHARACTER'S POTENTIAL
=======================
NOTE: In order to tap into the characters "TRUE POTENTIAL", it is best
that you select a sword style that compliments the characters
attributes. Technically speaking the 3 main characters are designed for
certain particular styles. Below I have made a list of which styles are
best suited for each individual character!
Taketsune Nakayama
Skill Level: Relatively high abilites across the board. Nakayama is
suited (or designed) to learn from any school.
Shozaemon Hyuga:
Skill Level: High attack speed and powerful blows. Hyuga's real
potential lies within styles that either rely on speed, power, or a
combination of the two.
Yasutomo Yoshimura:
Skill Level: Fast movement & combos. Yastomo character is desgined for
sword techniques that rely upon speed & (or) combination attacks.
This school strives for balance between technique & power. The Suigetsu
style incorperates rotational swings that can deliver a considerable
amount of damage! The Suigtsu style is perfect for "CONSERVATIVE"
Fighters!
Genpo Moriya: "Master" of the Moriya Dojo
Toranosuke Matsui: Disciple of the Moriya Dojo
Liscensed Katana: MURAMASA
Direct Blow ->Solar Blade ->Shadow Blade
->Tornado
->Whirlwind ->Water and Clouds
Horizontal Slash ->Rev Horz Slash ->Whirlwind
->Shadow Blade ->Solar Blade
->Water and Clouds
Blade of thunder ->Solar Blade ->Shadow Blade
->Tornado
->Whirlwind ->Water and Clouds
Secret Technique: WILD TOP
--------------------------
This school emphasizes combination attacks. They have many
unconventional (or abstract) techniques, Their main feature is the use
of one-handed attacks. In my opinion this is the worse style in the
entire game!
Ichuin Kasukabe: "Master" of the Kasukabe Dojo
Enshiro Tanabe: Disciple of the Kasukabe Dojo
The very foundation of this school "RIVALS" Kyoshin's, it's techniques
are also based upon single-handed strikes. Yet it's attacks are not as
complex or problamatic as the Kyoshin Schools!
Getton Ooishi: "Master" of the Ooishi Dojo
Tatsunao Kirigamine: Disciple of the Ooishi Dojo
This Style is known for its many feint techniques, they also implement a
wide variety of thrusting attacks, many of which pack intense power in a
single blow! The Tanbara style utilizes speed to maximize it's styles
explosive thrusting techniques.
Zesuiken Tanbara: "Master" of the Tanbara Dojo
Hideyasu Takagi: Disciple of the Tanbara Dojo
Liscensed Katana: RAI-KUNIYUKI
Body Pierce ->Body Pierce ->mMlti-Thrust
->Armor Pierce
->Rolling Thunder
->Multi-Thrust ->Multi-Thrust
->Armor Pierce
->Rolling Thunder
Block and Strk ->Rev Down Slash ->Block and Strk
->Sacred Gateway
->Double Cut
->Decapitate ->Decapitate
The Isshin Style strikes a balance between technique & strength to
increase its attack power! This is one of the best schools by far!
It's has strong based attacks, & it's diverse techniques make it a
very formidable stye!
Kakuma Udagawa: "Master" of the Udagawa Dojo
Kotaro Suzuoki: Disciple of the Udagawa Dojo
Liscensed Katana: MASAMUNE
Up Slash ->Down Slash ->Thrust
->Chrysalis
->Storm God ->Storm God
->Storm God(sec) ->Storm God
Crouched Slash ->Crouched Slash ->Crouched Slash
->Draw & Strike
->Chrysalis
->Thrust
Secret Technique: STORM GOD
---------------------------
The only school that strives to kill with a single strike. They exhibit
powerful & speedy combinations, but their technique is monotonus & their
sword strokes are long. There moves can eventually become quite
predictable by the trained "eye"!
Shigetoshi Kadokura: "Master" of the Kadokura Dojo
Kaneobu Nimura: Disciple of the Kadokura Dojo
Liscensed Katana: INOUESIN-KAI
Blade of Unyo ->Rev Down Slash ->Biting Steel
->Down Slash
->Biting Steel ->Cut Down
Blade of Zangan ->Rev Down Slash ->Biting Steel
->Down Slash
->Biting Steel ->Cut Down
Thrusting Blade ->Rev Down Slash ->Biting Steel
->Down Slash
->Biting Steel ->Cut Down
Secret Technique: BLADE of ANNIHILATION
4.COMMENTARY on MECHANICS/STATS
===============================
These are the combat mechanics your characters stats will be based on.
Your characters abilities (stats) are represented as maximum and
current values. Maximum values are raised through training. Current
values are raised through combat!
Attack Power: Affects power of attacks.
Attack Speed: Affects your reaction time.
Agility: Affects movement speed.
Insight: Affects how easy it is to parry & dodge.
Spirit: Determines the rise/fall of your Ki (or Chi).
Fame: Personal Victories
Your Attack Power, Attack Speed, Agility, Insight, Spirit along with
your strategic prowess are the "KEY" elements which will determine your
success in combat. The "BEAUTY" of this game... is that maximizing stats
like power or speed doesn't necessarily determine who will be the
overall victor in a match!
Example: Technically speaking a character who's Attack Power & Speed is
high... may not necessarily be successful against a character who has
high Insight & (or) Spirit. Since a character with high Insight & Spirit
can consistently parry & block another character with a high attack &
speed value. Now it is usually quite "EASY" to slash your way through a
CPU opponent, especially if your stats are "HIGH"! Yet mindless swinging
on a skilled human opponent will usually do little if any good!
This is where strategic gameplay comes in, a superior strategy will
quite "LITERALLY" determine who wins and who doesn't! Learn your
opponents moves, habits, patterns, etc, then implement the proper
counter measures. If possible try and become over familiar with their
favorite sword style, at the same time you must become unpredictable
yourself. In "ESSENCE" learn to outwit & predict your opponents moves.
Another factor that plays a "MAJOR" role is the set of moves you've
customized for your character (in edit mode 1/2/3/4). Switch up your
arsenal on occasion, this way your opponent won't be able to see your
combat pattern as easily.
TIP: My personal strategy, is I'm constantly changing the techniques I
use... I learn to become "FLUENT"! This way my opponent is always second
guessing what may or may not use!
How to get the "OAR"
You must beat "Noatsuna Yoshioka" when he issue your dojo with a letter
of challenge. After his defeat, the "OAR" will become selectable in your
private sword collection.
Secret Technique: NONE
How to get "SHAKU"
You must raise your Insight up to 9999, in the Zen Mediation training
mode. Once you've maxed out your insight stats "SHAKU" will become
available in your private sword collection.
Secret Technique: Randomly uses Secret Techniques from "ALL" Styles.
"ILLUSION"
Once you are able to attend an "Imperial Tournament", go to "Illusion",
located in the Training Feature. Successfully snuff out all the candles
flames with your blade... and a "WRAITH" (a reflection of yourself) will
challenge you to a duel! Once you have Inherited Mastership you can Duel
with your "ILLUSION" at any given time, simply repeat the "ILLUSION"
training requirements.
6.CHEATS & CODES
================
"Unlock Hidden Ronin"
In Single Player Mode beat each of the following: Noatsuna Yoshioka,
Nobutsuna Kamiizumi, and Jion Nennami during an "Imperial Tounament".
They will become available in Tournament Mode.
"Students"
Press and hold R1, L1, and press X. Students from different dojos will
become available at random. NOTE: They cannot perform Secret Techniques.
"IKOSAI" The Monk"
After unlocking ALL of the "Hidden Characters", press and hold R1, R2,
L1, L2, then press X. Ikosai will then become available. NOTE: Ikosai
uses the "SHAKU" and his Secret Techniques are done randomly.
7.FAMOUS SAMURAI QUOTES
=======================
"The man whose profession is arms should calm his mind and look into the
depths of others. Doing so is likely the best of the martial arts".
--Yoshimasa
"Without knowledge of learning, one will ultimately have no military
victories".
--Sadayo
"If the enemy thinks of the mountains, attack like the sea; if he thinks
of the sea, attack like the mountains. You must make the fullest use of
your weaponry. It is false not to do so, and to die with a weapon yet
undrawn".
--Book of the Five Rings
"One finds life through conquering the fear of death within one's mind".
--Shigekata
"The flower of flowers is the cherry blossom - the samurai is the man
among men. An effective stance is to be attached neither to the
opponent's sword nor to one's own sword".
--Toshiyoshi
"The undisturbed mind is like the calm body of water reflecting the
brilliance of the moon".
--Jubei
"Conquer the self and you will conquer the opponent".
--Soho
"Cultivate the mind and do not be deceived by tricks, feints, and
schemes. They are the properties of magicians, not of the Samurai".
--Yakuro
"Mental calmness, not skill, is the sign of the matured Samurai".
--Bokuden
8.PROPS & SPECIAL THANKS
========================
Kengo: Master of Bushido FAQ was arranged & revised by Kwame' Burney;
aka: Lamagra1, Tendo-GAI, & Natt the HATT. Special props go out to the
following: theryuhi, Coka Cola Cat, Sansom "who made the movelist",
replicant "discovered SHAKU", Janus 7, ZenReaper, Shin7, Lord Taco,
Untimely Life, Gogogira... and anyone else I may have forgotten to
mention (U know who you are). Last but not least, I'd like to give
credit to www.cravegames.com for supplying the Samurai Quotes &
presentation info.
P.S
To all the "Game Heads" who put in on this, I hope to work with U guys
on the sequel. Until then.... PEACE.
