Ishin no Arashi Shippuu Ryoumaden (維新の嵐 疾風龍馬伝, Literally: "Storm of Reformation: Legend of the Whirlwind Ryoma") is the third entry in the Ishin no Arashi series. Like Mouri Motonari: Chikai no Sanshi, the game was released in the same year as a similarly themed Taiga drama.
Ken Kitami is the producer of the game, with Mayuko Omori handling character designs. MASA is the sound director. Kitami requests easy understanding of history. Gamecity Shopping customers receive a postcard with the game.
Gameplay[]
Shippuu Ryomaden's presentation is an overall simplified version of Bakumatsu Shishiden's system. Exposition takes place during mandatory cutscenes between the cast, and the story progresses based on whether the player chooses to complete or ignore a given timed objective. Time progresses in a daily format. Every action and story event consumes a single in-game day. The player is free to follow or ignore historical events by selecting key dialogue options in the story.
Unlike Bakumatsu Shishiden, a dialogue backlog is available for players (Y). Character names are now highlighted and their biographies can also be easily accessed any time during story events (X). Story objectives are specially highlighted in yellow and are repeated at least twice to help beginners. These features are included to help players who are unfamiliar with the time era.
Ryoma Sakamoto is the titular character and the main protagonist. He is the only historical figure the player can control. The entire story is told in a total of four chapters, and each chapter is divided based on events which occurred in Ryoma's life:
- Late teens-early twenties; life in Tosa, introduction to Western ideologies
- Mid teens; sword training in Edo, first viewing of "black American ships"
- Early-mid twenties; Tosa Revolutionaries, leaving Tosa
- Mid twenties-death; period of wandering, devising a new, united Japan
The first playthrough follows Ryoma's historical accomplishments as a proponent of the Fair Rule ideology. Clearing the game once unlocks an original "what-if?" scenario of Ryoma supporting the Tokugawa shogunate. In either scenario, Ryoma's main goal is to persuade all sixteen domains in Japan to follow one of the two ideologies. To accomplish this, Ryoma must personally persuade the ruling governor and the vassals in each domain through his list of social connections.
Persuasions[]
Shippuu Ryomaden's gameplay involves building Ryoma's connections by earning a certain Trust level with people in towns and cities. High Trust levels can introduce Ryoma to new people and places in Japan, and may trigger special character events with influential historical figures. Trust levels are built through Persuasion sessions, which are simplified to five rock-paper-scissors competitions. The victor of the match is determined by the card's level.
Characters can choose a "Cut Card" per session, which can trigger events overriding normal cards. Ryoma can initiate these cards. Persuasion sessions end in victory or defeat, with the player turning the bar yellow. Cut Cards can be used for hobbies, companions, ideologies, or completing objectives.
Female characters can be persuaded to trust Ryoma if he wins two games of hanafuda against them. The rules are the same as previous titles with koi-koi features.
Combat[]
Trust building is a feature in certain characters' sword sparring sessions, which last two rounds and end once either character is hit. Players use controls like directional pad, battle cry, and strike to raise their will power gauge. These sessions take place in a dojo, with boundaries and Faults for moves. Women now have their own vocal shout instead of Bakumatsu Shishiden.
Travel[]
Ryoma's destination is chosen through a menu-based screen, requiring in-game days for travel. Personal stats can be boosted by studying under a scholar, training at a dojo, or traveling. Fatigue is no longer a concern, allowing players to continue activities at their own pace. The menu interface also helps locate people within Ryoma's social connections with miniature biography and residence.
Modes[]
Continue[]
Load from a previous save. Three save slots are available.
New Game[]
Self-explanatory. The game's New Game plus feature grants the player an option to start with higher stats at Chapter 3 and the optional original scenario.
Memories[]
The game's main menu features gallery event images, letters to Ryoma's sister, and famous places. Players activate historical events, unlocking modern-day maps, and encourages visits to Japan for personal tours.
Related Media[]
The game received a special stage event at Tokyo Game Show 2010. The producer and history idol Mikako chatted about the game on stage. A promotional figure for Ryoma named RYOMA appeared on stage to promote the game. Kitami later appeared as an honored guest with the producer for Ryomaden for the Creator's Summit event at HISTORICA 2010. Radio commercials for the game were regularly played during episodes of Neoroma & Musou.
Shippuu Ryomaden had a special collaboration with the live action film, Sakuradamon-gai no Hen. The film is based on the historical assassination of Chief Minister, Ii Naosuke, which occurred during the time period. 10 wining contestants could win two tickets to see the film and a special pamphlet.
A mascot cellphone strap was made based on the Ryoma in this game. A single guidebook was published.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Official website
- Nintendo product page
- Promotional video on Koei-Tecmo's YouTube channel
