Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 (真・北斗無双, Shin Hokuto Musou) is the sequel to Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage. It was first announced at E3 2012 as the surprise mystery title. This title is one of the many IPs to celebrate Fist of the North Star's thirtieth anniversary.
The producer said this title adds more volume to the original concept. He believes that fans will appreciate the memorable reenactments of their favorite scenes, even striving to make several characters as faithful to the original source as possible. Everything is being revised from the first title to provide a "Warriors-like experience". Since he feels that this game is an in depth re-imagining of the original which better corresponds with fans' requests, he insisted on adding the "True" (真, shin) to the front of its Japanese name rather than giving it a numerical.
The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 Treasure Box edition offers a visual storybook, soundtrack CD, postcard calendar, character stickers, and a Kenshiro-shaped 4GB memory stick. Early purchasers can obtain a downloadable code for Kenshiro's outfit. The Legend Edition includes the game, downloadable code, smartphone pouch, and a special PS3 model with wireless controller.
Due to budgeting issues, this game is limited to Japanese voice overs for overseas ports. America has the Xbox 360 version through retail, but the PS3 and WiiU version s is digital download via their respective networks.
A mobile version of this game was available on December 23, 2020. This version added Colonel, King Fang, Huey and Shuren as playable characters.
Gameplay[]
- Unlike the first game, mobs will now spawn at a rate resembling other Warriors titles. Other changes include:
- Signature moves have been cut down to between 4-10 per character as opposed to 11 each.
- The meter build and management cycle have been expedited by the increased number of mooks on screen, enabling players to spam their signature moves.
- The meridian shock state is now obtained through a passive process. Players must wait for the opponent to do a specific attack, make them miss, and land a fast attack during a tiny window.
- The armor gauge of bulky commanders has been removed. Now every major opponent can benefit from an armor mode and the player can't remove it since there is no armor gauge to deplete.
- The guard gauge of tall bosses has been removed.
- Nanto characters can no longer perform "timely strike" in chaos difficulty; Nanto characters can only perform the counter version of the "timely strike" in other difficulties.
- Level design became mostly linear.
- Missions have individual rankings and are judged the moment the player completes them during a stage.
- When boss characters are defeated, a comic panel will be used to frame the finale.
- Character fighting styles (Hokuto, Nanto, and Special) remain but are more varied with the cast.
- Simplified grab system.
- Characters will no longer "shout" the names of signature moves.
- Characters now have a small animation for opening boxes in the field rather than simply attacking them in typical beat 'em up style.
- Evasion animation now uses X/A button, with counterattacks available and dashing performed by holding down button. Cancels into sprint after attacks.
- The game has changed two buttons, removing jumping from normal controls and redefining the Taunt button as L2/LT, allowing Spirit Aura activation but limiting jumping to specific situations.
- No longer able to whack enemies with pillars - only throw them.
- Quick Time Events now only require one button to be pushed.
- All moves available from the start.
- Meridian Chart system removed.
- This game requires players to collect five stat items to alter their character's stats, affecting Health, Spirit, Attack, Defense, and Special Techniques. Unlocking skills in a consolidated manner unlocks hidden bonuses.
- The Wii U version does not have gameplay controls compatible with the GamePad.
- Downloadable content does include costumes, three playable characters, and new scenarios in the game's Dream Mode; they are different items than the original game.
Modes[]
Legend Mode[]
Legend Mode features events from both main series arcs, with the first story arc featuring more stories and characters. Story cutscenes quote the comic, and Quick Time Events mimic canonical events. Penalties for failing QTEs vary, with bosses sometimes recovering health or resuming fights.
Like Dynasty Warriors 7, in-game cutscenes may automatically determine which character the player can use in each stage.
Dream Mode[]
Similar to the first game with different scenarios for the returning cast. Players complete various scenarios within one of the following episode sub-headings:
- Hokuto Shinken - Kenshiro, Raoh, Toki, and Jagi. Focuses on the four brothers' fight to become Ryuken's successor, and their lives after the nuclear war. Includes comic faithful flashbacks and other scenes with Yuria.
- Nanto Seiken - Thouzer, Rei, Shuu, Juda, Shin, and Fudoh]]. Depicts relations between the six fighters and how each chose separate paths in the wake of the war.
- Hokuto Ryuken - Shachi, Hyoh and Kaioh. Tells the stories of how these Hokuto Ryuken fighters came to be on the Shura island and their adventures outside Shura]].
- Lone Fighters - Juza, Falco, Ein, Mamiya, and Ryuga. Individual stories for select fighters of the age, each detailing their background and their part in the game's setting.
- Hokuto Army - original scenario centering on an adult Bat and Rin being teleported to the past. They face departed heroes to improve themselves.
- Other
Characters have unique stories and endings, with cutscenes following Legend Mode structure. Players can play Free Mode or complete specific missions for stages. Online matches unlock stages for co-op, tag team, or four-man teams, offering more stat items and bonuses.
Gallery[]
Gallery mode which keeps and catalogs earned movies and scenarios for repeated viewings.
Characters[]
There are twenty playable characters in the game, not including DLC. According to the producer's comments, more supporting characters have been included to properly dramatize and reenact scenes from the comic. The characters he wanted to focus on were Thouzer and Ein; Hara was enthusiastic for Falco.
Raoh Arc[]
- Kenshiro - playable
- Bat
- Rin
- Yuria
- Zeed
- Outlaw - playable
- Misumi
- Spade
- Heart - playable
- Shin - playable
- Mad Sarge
- Colonel
- Toyo
- Taki
- Jackal
- Fox
- Devil Rebirth
- Rei - playable
- Mamiya - playable
- Koh
- Fang Clan
- Airi
- Jagi - playable
- Ryuken
- Toki - playable
- Amiba - playable DLC
- Raoh - playable
- Raiga and Fuga
- Uighur
- Zarqa and Qasim
- Juda - playable
- Shew - playable
- Shiva
- Thouzer - playable
- Ohgai
- Huey
- Shuren
- Rihaku
- Fudo - playable
- Juza - playable
- Ryuga - playable
Celestial Emperor Arc[]
Land of Shura Arc[]
Bat and Rin's Arc[]
Stages[]
- Hokuto School
- Southern Cross
- Cassandra Prison
- Holy Emperor Cross Mausoleum
- Mamiya's Village
- Village of Miracles
- Villainy Prison
- Shura Desert
- Shura Mountains
- Juda's Town
Trophies/Achievements[]
Spin-offs[]
- Pachinko CR Shin Hokuto Musou - by Sammy.
- Image songs
- AHEAD, DEVIL SIDE by VAMPS
DESTINY STAR, Pray for you, FAR AWAY, Believe you by Nana Tanimura
TOUGH BOY, Ai wo Torimodose!! by Marty Friedman (vocals by Mike Vescera)
- Pachinko CR Shin Hokuto Musou Mugen Touran - by Sammy
Related Media[]
Koei held a press meeting to celebrate the completion of the game, featuring comic creators Tetsuo Hara, Horie Nobuhiko, Hisashi Koinuma, and Youichi Erikawa. The game was available for trial at various Japan outlets and QR codes for custom PlayStation themes. The game also includes a PS3 bonus and Dream Mode data.
Players who purchase the February 2013 issue of Comic ZENON can obtain a serial code for a red version of Kenshiro's Shura outfit. It's a partial tie-in with the magazine's side story for Heart. Readers of this issue can enter a present campaign for a chance to win autographs of the game's voice actors, a copy of the game, or a postcard. It's a simultaneous collaboration with Weekly Famitsu.
Steak & Hamburger Ken restaurant chain will be offering a Shin Hokuto Musou themed menu for consumers. Customers who order the two featured dishes will obtain stamps depending on the amount of meat they choose to purchase for their meal. Stamps can be collected onto a card and can be exchanged for a chance to win prizes. 3,000 contestants can win a character card. Rarer prizes include a copy of the game, the Treasure Box edition of the game, or their preferred home console (PS3, Xbox 360, WiiU) and the game. The campaign ends on December 28.
Once both products are available, players of 100man-nin no Hokuto Musou can exchange serial codes and passwords between the two mediums.
Image Song[]
- Performed by V6
*Used for the ending credits and commercials.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Official Japanese website, Official product page
- Official International website
- Official Japanese PlayStation site
- TGS 2012 teaser
- Promotional video
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Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage
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Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage • Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 • 100man-nin no Hokuto Musou |
Characters |
Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage |
Kenshiro • Rei • Mamiya • Toki • Shin • Jagi • Thouzer • Raoh • Heart • Outlaw |
Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 |
Juda • Shew • Fudo • Juza • Ryuga • Bat • Rin • Ein • Falco • Shachi • Hyou • Kaioh • Amiba • Nameless Shura • Han |
Other Information |
Hokuto Shinken • Nanto Seiken • Hokuto Ryuken |