This is another under the radar gem and it's another in Capcom's line up of beat em ups. This one is another hack and slash but here they were once again going with something different where instead of the world of fantasy, they decided to go with history. This game you can say is a bid of a period piece as it takes place in Feudal Japan during one of the wars going on at the time. I like that because it was something different, sort of reminds me of the "Dynasty Warriors" franchise and this game was years before that franchise.
Not much I can say basically your part of a rag tag group of warriors that are destined to free the land for tyranny. That's it in a nutshell, yeah light on story and plot but what do you expect from a beat em up, we're all here for the action, just press start, hack and slash the heck out of everyone in your way and don't die.
The gameplay is solid, it's having all the basic functions from jump, attack and if you press both buttons at the same time there is the emergency protocol. The characters you pick are all unique each of them has their strengths and weaknesses, have good/decent combo systems and a move or two. You can play as any one you feel like or just simply one's your more comfortable with, me I like playing the blue armored guy with the one handed sword he handles well. Or the other that is a strong guy but not too bulky, his specialty is fighting bare handed, but his punches pack a wallop. I also like that you get to ride a horse in the game sometimes, this was also in the game "Knights of the Round" but here it's different as you wield a spear which gives your attacks more power, along with certain weapons you pick up along the way.
Like the graphical presentation which is the usual Capcom 90's arcade animation which makes it all the sweeter as I wouldn't want it any other way. And the music is also good there are a few tracks that are memorable and a good listen but most importantly fit the game as they sing epic ancient battle and warfare.
What makes this game unique and stand out for me as I said is in it's setting. I really like how the game created and capture a time long gone but also giving it that Asian feeling, from the outfit on the characters down do even certain power ups like a plateful of hot Pork Buns to refill your life bar; I'll admit seeing those made me hungry to get some. There is also a little humor in the game, despite the serious tone, in places it doesn't take itself too seriously mainly from some of the over-the-top nature it has, though same can be said for most other beat em ups.
But also, what makes it stand out is how surprisingly violent the game really is, it really showed how these games were starting to take one step forward. In this game we do see some blood effects, like the bare-handed warrior character I mentioned one move he has is jumping on a guy and then biting the heck out of him, spirting out a geyser. Or even when you have a big sword and there is a finishing move, you literally cut the guy in half and see it. Not in absolute graphic detail, along with some of the other blood effects, you can say it keeps it at a PG-13 level and I mean that in a good way, where that take that step forward but don't go too far.
If you're a fan of the beat em up genre, especially ones from Capcom, this vintage game is worth a swing.
Rating: 3 stars.
