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. HIRATA DOJO: (Muja School) MORIYA DOJO: (Suigetsu School) TANBARA DOJO: (Muishinjin School) UDAGAWA DOJO: (Isshin School) TSUBAKI DOJO: (Kumomushin School) KADOKURA DOJO: (Fudo School) Yasutomo Yoshimura: Skill Level: Fast movement & combos. Yastomo character is desgined for sword techniques that rely upon speed & (or) combination attacks. HIRATA DOJO: (Muja School) KASUKABE DOJO: (Kyoshin School) OOISHI DOJO: (Muni School) TANBARA DOJO: (Muishinjin School) 3. MOVELIST =========== HIRATA DOJO: (Muja School) ========================== This school emphasizes combined techniques. Their technique variations are seamless, yet this style relies upon quick bursts of speed above all else! Juuro Hirata: "Master" of the Hirata Dojo Kangoro Morobushi: Disciple of the Hirata Dojo Liscensed Katana: KANEMITU Shadow Strk ->Blade of Fury ->Blade of Doom ->Lunging Blade ->Multi-Strk ->2-Handed Thrust ->Assault ->Mod Flying Swallow Solar Strk ->Swd Grd Throwback->Swd Grd Throwback ->Flying Swallow ->Mod Flying Swallow ->Blade of Fury ->Blade of Doom ->Lunging blade Secret Technique: FLYING SWALLOW SLASH MORIYA DOJO: (Suigetsu School) ============================== 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 -------------------------- KASUKABE DOJO: (Kyoshin School) =============================== 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 Liscensed Katana: KUNIHIRO Scarlet Leaves ->Scarlet Leaves ->Scarlet Leaves ->Dark Payback ->Solar Flamingo ->Crimson Death ->Scarlet Leaves ->Dark Payback ->Dark Payback Crimson Death ->Shadow Flamingo ->Roll ->Dark Payback ->Scarlet Leaves ->Scarlet Leaves ->Dark Payback ->Roll ->Shadow Thrust ->Dark Thurst ->Roll Secret Technique: REVERSE COUNTER SLASH --------------------------------------- OOISHI DOJO: (Muni School) ========================== 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 Liscensed Katana: KANESADA 1-Hand Horz Slash->Parting Mist ->Parting Mist ->Two Swords ->Heatwave ->Floating Boat ->Two Swords 1-Hand Str Slash ->1-Handed up Slash->Devil Wind ->Elbow Strk ->1-Hand Horz Slash->Two Swords Horizontal Slash ->1-Hand Horz Slash->Tracking Thrust ->Floating Boat ->Two Swords Secret Technique: SWORD DRAW & PARTING MIST ------------------------------------------- TANBARA DOJO: (Muishinjin School) ================================= 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 Secret Technique: WILD THRUST ----------------------------- UDAGAWA DOJO: (Isshin School) ============================= 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 --------------------------- TSUBAKI DOJO: (Kumomushin School) ================================= This school has an unrefined style, it's which is still in developement! Their techniques are slow, predictable, but powerful! Jiroeman Tsubaki: "Master" of the Tsubaki Dojo Seiichiro Shirai: Disciple of the Tsubaki Dojo Liscensed Katana: SUKEHIRO Rev Down Slash ->Direct Blow ->Goblin Smasher ->Lightning Bolt ->Stabbing Demon ->Goblin Slayer ->Goblin Smasher ->Side Slash ->Helmet Split ->Stabbing Demon Rev Side Slash ->Side Slash ->Helmet Split ->Stabbing Demon Netherworld ->Netherworld ->Netherworld's Gift ->Goblin Smasher Secret Technique: PIERECE ARMOR ------------------------------- KADOKURA DOJO: (Fudo School) ============================ 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! 5.MISC INFORMATION/SECRETS ========================== 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.