Fengshen Yanyi

Fengshen Yanyi
Game Information
Developer(s)	Fu-Qi
Publisher(s)	Koei
Genre(s)	Tactical Strategy RPG
Mode(s)	Single Player
Platform(s)
PlayStation
Date: 09/10/1998 Aizouban Date: 04/01/1999
Date: 09/10/1998 Aizouban Date: 04/01/1999
Rating(s)

Fengshen Yanyi (封神演義 Houshin Engi or 愛蔵版 封神演義, Aizouban Houshin Engi) is a game based on the Chinese novel of the same name. The story presents Taigong Wang as the main hero and he takes his first journey away from his home to defeat the evil that plagues the land. This particular title—and its sequel—was not widely distributed internationally. Its action spin-off and sequel to the second title, however, did reach Western shores as Mystic Heroes. This game plays in a similar manner as the Final Fantasy Tactics series.

The illustrations and character designs were done by Takeshi Okazaki, who is probably best known for his work Elementalors.

Story

Thousands of years ago, Paopei weapons sealed demons, giving ancients a special place in the celestial realm. Mystic Taigong Wang saves a family from a tyrant king and is executed, given the task of sealing souls.

Gameplay

The game features 3D maps, 2D sprites, and turn-based battles. Characters are assigned an element, determining their strengths, weaknesses, and spell proficiency, using the Five Elements.

Earth defeats Water

Water defeats Fire

Fire defeats Metal

Metal defeats Nature

Nature defeats Earth

Fengshen Yanyi is a unique game that emphasizes the importance of terrain and skill in battles. Characters' morale and will power can affect their performance, with willing characters gaining more experience and dealing more damage. The game also emphasizes the use of earth moving magic, seals, and higher level attacks to manipulate terrain. Weapons and sorcery have proficiency levels, with each category having ten levels. Players can use divine peaches earned from winning story battles to increase their proficiency. Fengshen Yanyi also offers eight elements for characters to practice and learn.

Swords - excel at close encounters. In later levels, they can be used for powerful attacks against groups. Their ranged attacks are more free-form than other weapons.

Spears - mid ranged weapon. Possess powerful attacks that travel in a straight line. Also has a spinning close ranged attack on later levels to deal with multiple foes.

Clubs - mid ranged weapon with additional crippling properties. Best used for defensive strategies but are also capable fighters in later levels.

Bows - weapon with the longest range of attack. Good for weakening or disabling enemies while defending the user.

Earth - spells that shape the ground in some way. Symbolized by a lightning bolt.

Healing - restores health and removes status effects. Symbolized by a sun.

Illusions - applies a status effect on select enemies (i.e poison, sleep, blindness, etc.). Symbolized by an eye.

Chi - boosts allies stats (such as attack, defense, speed, etc.). Symbolized by a yin-yang icon.

The overworld map is limited to story scenarios and has no random encounters. Players can train while their army rests in bases, with monsters based on their levels. Battles can be easy, medium, or hard, and defeated characters lose experience but can fight again. The main hero's name is Taigong Wang.

Characters

For players who may have the played game, the Japanese pronunciation and the Chinese/Japanese characters of their names will also be included.

Main Party

• Taigong Wang - Taikoubou (太公望)
• Huang Feihu - Kou Hiko (黄飛虎)
• Yang Jian - Yousen (楊戩)
• Huang Tianxiang - Kou Tensho (黄天祥)
• Nezha - Nata (哪咤)
• Li Jing - Risei (李靖)
• Su Hu - Sogo (蘇護)
• Zheng Lun - Teirin (鄭倫)
• Wei Hu - Igo (韋護)
• Huang Tianhua - Kou Tenka (黄天化)
• Lei Zhenzi - Raishinshi (雷震子)
• Deng Chanyu - Tou Sengyoku (鄧嬋玉)
• Wu Ji - Bukitsu (武吉)
• Tu Xing Sun - Doukoson (土行孫)
• Long Xu Hu - Ryushuko (竜鬚虎)
• Yang Ren - Younin (楊任)
• Long Ji Gongzhu - Ryukitsu Koshuu (竜吉公主)
• Chong Heihu - Suukokuko (崇黒虎)
• Jinzha - Kinta (金咤)
• Muzha - Mokuta (木咤)
• Zhao Gongming - Choukoumei (趙公明)

Shang Dynasty

• King Zhou - Chuuou (紂王)
• Da Ji - Dakki (妲己)
• Hu Ximei - Ko Kibi (胡喜媚)
• Wang Guiren - Oukijin (王貴人)
• Wen Zhong - Bunchuu (聞仲)
• Lu Xiong - Roiu (魯雄)
• Deng Jiugong - Doukyugo (鄧九公)
• Zhang Guifang - Choukeihou (張桂芳)
• Wu Wenhua - Ubunka (鄔文化)
• Ma Yuan - Bagen (馬元)
• Chen Tong - Chintou (陳桐)
• Xin Huan - Shikan (辛環)
• Deng Zhong - Touchuu (鄧忠)
• Zhang Jie - Chousetsu (張節)
• Tao Rong - Touei (陶栄)
• Yu Hua - Yoka (余化)
• Peng Zun - Houjun (彭遵)
• Wang Bao - Ouhyo (王豹)
• Chong Houhu - Sukouko (崇侯虎)
• Winged Celestial - Uyokusen (羽翼仙)
• Luo Xuan - Razan (羅宣)
• Liu Huan - Ryukan (劉環)
• Celestial Lotus - Kanshisen (菡芝仙)
• Pretty Lady Cloud - Saiunsenshi (彩雲仙子)
• Qiu Yin - Kyuuin (丘印)
• Chen Qi - Chinki (陳奇)
• Yu Hualong - Yokaryuu (余化竜)
• Yu Da - Yotatsu (余達)
• Yu Zhao - Yochuu (余兆)
• Yu Guang - Yokou (余光)
• Yu De - Yotoku (余徳)
• Yu Yuan - Yogen (余元)
• Zhou Xin - Shuushin (周信)
• Li Qi - Riki (李奇)
• Zhu Tianlin - Shutenrin (朱天麟)
• Yang Wenhui - Youbunki (陽文輝)
• Zhang Kui - Choukei (張奎)
• Gao Lanying - Kouranei (高蘭英)
• Wang Mo - Ouma (王魔)
• Yang Sen - Youshin (陽森)
• Gao Youqian - Kouyuuken (高友乾)
• Li Xingba - Rikouha (李興霸)
• Lu Yue - Ryogaku (呂岳)
• Chen Geng - Chinkou (陳庚)
• Kong Xuan - Kousen (孔宣)
• Gao Jineng - Koukeinou (高継能)
• Mo Liqing - Mareisei (魔礼青)
• Mo Lihong - Mareikou (魔礼紅)
• Mo Lihai - Mareikai (魔礼海)
• Mo Lishou - Mareijyu (魔礼寿)
• Qin Tianjun - Shintenkun (秦天君)
• Zhao Tianjun - Choutenkun (趙天君)
• Dong Tianjun - Toutenkun (董天君)
• Yuan Tianjun - Entenkun (袁天君)
• Sun Tianjun - Sontenkun (孫天君)
• Bai Tianjun - Hakutenkun (柏天君)
• Wang Tianjun - Outenkun (王天君)
• Zhang Tianjun - Choutenkun (張天君)
• Yao Tianjun - Youtenkun (姚天君)
• Mother Golden Light - Kinkouseibo (金光聖母)
• Tongtian Jiaozhu - Tsuten Kyoshu (通天教主)
• Fei Zhong - Hichuu (費仲)

Others

• Ji Fa - Kihatsu (姫発)
• Zhuogong Dan - Shukoutan (周公旦)
• Yun Xiao - Unsho (雲霄)
• Bi Xiao - Heikisho (碧霄)
• Qiong Xiao - Keishou (瓊霄)
• Hubao Tongzi - Goboudouji (護宝童子)
• Chi You - Shiyu (蚩尤)
• Yuanshi Tianzun - Genshintenden (元始天尊)
• Baihe Tongzi - Hakkaku Douji (白鶴童子)
• Shen Gongbao - Shinkouhyou (申公豹)
• Randeng Daoren - Nentou Doujin (燃灯道人)
• Taiyi Zhenren - Taiitsu Shijin (太乙真人)
• Yuding Zhenren - Gyokutei Shinjin (玉鼎真人)
• Daoxing Tianzun - Doukoutenson (道行天尊)
• Daode Zhenjun - Doutokushinkun (道徳真君)
• Yun Zhongzi - Unchuushi (雲中子)
• Wenshu Tianzun - Monjutenson (文殊天尊)
• Puxian Zhenren - Fugen Shinjin (普賢真人)
• Gaojue and Gaoming - Koukaku (高覚) and Koumei (高明)

Aizouban Changes

The re-release (Aizouban) offers the following additions different from the first release.

• The game's difficulty can be adjusted to easy, normal, or hard.
• Fixed bugs regarding the landscape and certain attacks. Battles are also slightly faster.
• More Paopei can be collected.
• Voices for characters as well as a selection of fully voiced cutscenes.
• Different quotes said by ally characters in between and during battle.
• Players at bases can duel with characters' mentors, earning rare treasures but not experience; losing doesn't punish, but players must wait for another base before rematching.

Related Media

A drama CD series was produced along with a three volume light novel series. Both mediums are original stories set in this version of the Chinese classic, mixing story elements from the original with elements in the game. Each medium tells a different story than the one told in the game.

Gallery

Package art

External Links

• Official site
• List of official publications for the series
• Houshin Japanese wikia
• Opening and Ending movies
• Gameplay footage using Autoplay setting