Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage (北斗無双, Hokuto Musou) is the second dual franchise title from Koei, the first being Dynasty Warriors: Gundam. The game's story and characters are based on the famous Japanese comic and anime Fist of the North Star.
The Fist of the North Star title was revealed during a media event in 2009, with Tetsuo Hara and Buronson supporting it. The producer, Hisashi Koinuma, aims to create a realistic feel while maintaining the original's roots. The game features a new cast of Japanese voice actors, including Kenshiro, and has more action adventure tones than other Warriors titles. Fans can still feel at home in the original story mode.
The Treasure Box set includes an illustrated story book, a clock that is voiced by Rin, Kenshiro, and Raoh's voice actors, and a copy of the original soundtrack. People who reserve the game early can get a specially made metal card protector with their purchase. Limited buyers obtained a "comic faithful" version of Kenshiro's outfit.
The game's narrator for the Japanese dub is Norio Wakamoto and Douglas Rye in English.
Gameplay[]
The game follows the same controls and mission system as previous Dynasty Warriors titles, focusing on balancing crowd control, damage dealing, meter build, and meter management. Players must land moves to maximize damage, and commanders, officers, and bosses have different defensive attributes. Enemies are killed using unique techniques like death cries, blood, and exploding bodies.
While Kenshiro and Rei can evade like the characters in the Samurai Warriors series, the game dynamics revolve around the jump cancel feature. The holding down a charge attack / Y (PS3 / Xbox 360) before release issues a stronger but slower version the attack. This can be canceled into a jump ( / A). This feature permits players to take risks and perform advanced game techniques such as a guard breaks.
- Players can play under three different styles found among characters: the Hokuto, Nanto, or Special Type.
- Hokuto style users have a moveset closer to typical warriors games and can pinpoint their opponent's secret pressure points at various times allowing the player to deal critical damage. This can be done by using specific strong moves (PS3) / Y button (Xbox 360) or multi-hit attacks.
- Nanto fighters use a technique called Timely Strike to detect openings in their opponents' attacks. By pressing the correct button, they can evade the attack, counter it, and temporarily strengthen their attacks in a Heightened Awareness mode.
- Special types, like Mamiya and Jagi, rely on a technical perspective and can use weapons for special attacks against their foes. They are made for veteran players who want to use trickier characters.
- A skill point system similar to recent Warriors titles also appears in the game. The main difference with Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage is that players need to equip particular skills in order to expand their character's learning curve. As more battles are cleared, players can choose to learn whatever techniques, legendary techniques, and secondary abilities they desire for each character based on their own choices. Skill points are earned by collecting glowing balls, or "karma", found after defeating opponents in the field. They can also be earned by correctly performing a Finisher, trashing objects for scrolls, completing missions, or by finishing a stage with a sound performance.
- As players meet certain conditions throughout the course of a stage, the big dipper diagram at the bottom of the screen will fill up. Doing so provides assorted bonuses which become better the higher up the diagram a player fills. When the diagram is filled, the stage's boss gets a huge buff (only in Legend Mode). It's also possible to activate the "Star of Death" phase against the final boss for a mission (only in Legend Mode). As a reference to the original series, it is a bright star located just south of the constellation. The "Star of Death" is activated by using the Signature Move that coincides with the storyline of the manga. If players defeat the boss with the "Star of Death" lit, they will receive a special notice and will be able to see the boss's weak points during a repeat performance.
- Players can perform an instant guard or "Just Guard" against opponents' blows, opening combo opportunities. This technique requires precise timing and reduces stunned characters. Players can also perform a dashing evade, especially against arrows, to instantly kill archers.
- Characters can also grab opponents, climb walls, or pick and throw items with the R2 / RT trigger (PS3 / Xbox 360). They may also need to destroy objects to clear alternative paths through an area. Pressing R2 and (PS3) or Y button (Xbox 360) re-adjusts the camera in a target position for players.
- Each character can unleash, Spirit Aura, which momentarily increases the powers of their characters by sacrificing the "Spirit Reserve" gauge. It can be activated by tapping the L2 trigger (PS3) or the Left bumper (Xbox 360).
- Tapping (PS3) or B button (Xbox 360) lets players use their character's various techniques from the comic. These Signature Moves act as the character's type of "musou" in this game, allowing limited invincibility and massively damaging a target. When a technique is used, the game will momentarily freeze the action on the field until the move is completed. The nature of implementing a technique varies with each character.
- Characters are allowed to have multiple techniques at once and they can be rotated by tapping the directional pad in one of the four directions (PS3). There are several new techniques for characters that were made solely for this game.
- Each character has their unique legendary technique (three per character), or Hyper Signature Move, which can instantly kill crowds of weak opponents if performed correctly. To trigger this effect, characters must have filled at least one of the three Hyper Signature gauge, be in a Spirit Aura state and must have at least a one gauge of the Spirit Reserve bars filled.
- The Finisher is a unique finishing blow for nearly defeated bosses in Legend Mode. Players input buttons to pummel their foe with Fist of The North Star flare. Mistakes restore boss health and lower player life. Repeated Finisher sequences are easier if failed.
- Players can also taunt in the game with their characters to gather foes together. Taunting a foe too many times can make them enraged and tougher to defeat.
- When a character is damaged, their model may change to reflect the changes in their life gauge. These changes to an outfit cannot be "fixed" for the remainder of the mission. However, keeping a character's health above a certain portion of their life gauge will result in no further changes: i.e., keeping health above 2/3 will keep a character at full clothing and so on.
- The screen now splits vertically for two players.
Modes[]
Legend Mode[]
Similar to the Dynasty Warriors: Gundam titles, this is the story segment which faithfully follows the original source material. The official mode follows the first arc of the series, starting with Kenshiro's beginnings until he faces Raoh for the right of successor. Kenshiro, Rei, Mamiya, Toki, and Raoh can be played in this mode. Kenshiro is initially available; the others require special conditions to unlock them.
- Rei
- Clear the second stage of Kenshiro's Legend Mode or download his comic faithful outfit.
- Mamiya
- Clear the second stage of Kenshiro's Legend Mode or download her comic faithful outfit.
- Toki
- Clear the sixth stage of Kenshiro's Legend Mode or download his comic faithful outfit.
- Raoh
- Complete all other characters' Legend Modes or download his comic faithful outfit.
Finishing this mode with Rei also unlocks an alternate "white haired" Rei model for players.
Comic faithful outfits are only available as downloadable content.
Dream Mode[]
The game features an original story with voiced narrations and voiceless interactions, featuring four Hokuto brothers and the "Nanto army." To access this mode, players must finish Kenshiro's Legend mode and complete character scenarios to unlock more characters.
- Kenshiro
- Completely clear Kenshiro's Legend Mode.
- Shin
- Clear first stage of Kenshiro's Legend Mode.
- Mamiya
- Clear first stage of Kenshiro's Legend Mode.
- Jagi
- Clear fourth stage of Kenshiro's Legend Mode.
- Rei
- Clear Shin's Dream Mode.
- Toki
- Clear Kenshiro's Dream Mode.
- Thouzer
- Clear Rei's Dream Mode.
- Raoh
- Clear every other characters' Dream Mode.
Clearing this mode with Kenshiro, Toki, and Raoh unlocks alternate versions for them at the character select screen. Toki's alternate resembles his younger look before the 199X bombing while Kenshiro and Raoh having shirtless models in accordance with their final battle.
Challenge Mode[]
Unlocked once Kenshiro's official mode is cleared, it pits the players against a continuous string of opponents. Players can simultaneously face the four Hokuto candidates, the six Nanto Seiken, and other challenges as the players continue playing. It acts as the game's survival mode.
Additional scenario and characters are available as downloadable content.
Introduction Mode[]
The game's tutorial mode for anyone unfamiliar with the game's system, starting with Kenshiro (Hokuto Type). Includes Rei (Nanto Type) and Mamiya (Special Type) once the second chapter of Kenshiro's official mode is cleared.
Gallery[]
The game offers renders, music, movies, and a database section for player terminology. Completion percentages and kill counts are available. Unlocking music requires character Dream and Legend Mode completion.
Settings[]
Players can customize buttons, sound, gauges, subtitles, and difficulty levels. They can also adjust the game's violence level, ranging from "Hard" to "Mild" to maintain or reduce gore.
Characters[]
Playable[]
- Kenshiro
- Rei
- Mamiya
- Toki
- Shin
- Jagi
- Thouzer
- Raoh with his horse, Kokuougou
- Heart - as downloadable content
- Outlaw - as downloadable content
Present[]
While seen here, these characters are not legitimately playable.
- Giant Hag (Babaa) - bonus character during Jagi's story. A muscular man who poses as an elderly woman to try to catch his guests off guard. Tries to poison Mamiya, Toki, and Kenshiro by courteously giving them water after escaping Cassandra. Kenshiro sees through the trick and rudely tells the "granny" to drink the water first. Can't keep up the jig and is easily beaten by Kenshiro afterwards. Not officially named but known as Babaa ("Granny") or Dekai Babaa ("Huge Granny") by fans due to "her" height and Kenshiro's comment.
Stages[]
- Hokuto School
- Southern Cross
- Cassandra
- Holy Emperor Cross Mausoleum
Trophies/Achievements[]
Spin-offs[]
- 100man-nin no Hokuto Musou
- Hokuto Musou International - a PS3 only port of the overseas adaption of the game for Japan that is being sold for a discount price. It includes the increased violence made specifically for Western audience, new changes to the enemy layout in the scenarios, and the English voice track. Players can also experience a longer version of Legend Mode for the playable cast and Kenshiro will now become gradually stronger as he progresses through this mode. Every character has been strengthened greatly compared to the first release, and the actions have been sped up as well. Consumers who have save data from the original release can continue to use it in this game. Players will also have to repay for downloadable content but a pack to include every downloadable item has been compiled for this version with a 1,500 yen price tag.
Related Media[]
A campaign involving Comic Bunch and Weekly Famitsu announced a promotion for Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage, offering prizes such as a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 signed by Tetsuo Hara, a picture signed by Hara, and a specially designed phone card. Entries must match prize requirements and be accepted by April 30, 2010.
Character renders, voice samples, and other sound effects from this game were also added as contents in Musou Mobile, a cellphone service in Japan featuring other Warriors titles.
Image Songs[]
- Performed by Nana Tanimura
*both songs were performed during the October 14, 2009 press event. Used during promotional videos. Both songs play during the game's credits and change depending on the character scenario. Both songs have been removed in the US and International releases.
The first opening song of the Fist of the North Star anime, Ai wo Torimodose!!, can also be heard in the game as background music. It has a special vocal-less, rock arrangement for the game and plays during important events.
Allusions[]
- Pokka Coffee was performing a collaboration event with Fist of the North Star in which they had specially printed cans on their products. These same drinks were present during the March 3rd Premium play test for Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage.
- Kokuougou, or at least a horse sharing his name, previously appeared as a special horse in the G1 Jockey series.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- International portal page, Official European blog
- Official Japanese site, International Version site, International radio commercial that played during Neoroma & Musou
- Official Japanese PlayStation site
- Dengeki Playstation cover issue
- PlayStation 20th Anniversary thank you video
This article about a Koei game is a stub. You can help the wiki by expanding it. |
Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage
|
---|
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 |