Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage

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. It was originally announced as a "mystery title" during the 2009 Tokyo Game Show and was publicly unveiled during a staged media event on October 14, 2009 (broadcast live to the Japanese movie site, Niconico Douga). Tetsuo Hara and Yoshiyuki Okamura, the illustrator and writer of the original comic, have expressed their support and enthusiasm for the title.

The producer says that the staff aims to create a "new realistic feel" for the Fist of the North Star series while still being faithful to the original's roots. During this process, he remarked his concerns for the characters' body structure, muscles, and other minute details (such as perfecting the model for Raoh's wrinkled forehead). Regarding the tweaks to the attack speed, he adds that it was done in an effort to tune towards Hara's request for realistic movements. In retrospect, he also stated that the request became more of a challenge when modeling the movements for the Hokuto and Nanto fighters.

Koinuma also said that the entirely new cast of Japanese voice actors was Hara and Okamura's concept since the development staff was struggling with the issue. According to him, Hara is especially pleased with Kenshiro's new voice. He notes that the official mode for this title carries more action adventure tones than other Warriors titles thus far yet gave his assurance that Warriors fans can easily feel at home in the game's original story mode.

The Treasure Box set will include 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 also get a specially made metal card protector with their purchase. Limited buyers can also obtain 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 basic controls and mission system are the same as most Warriors titles but the battle system is more complex. While most warriors games put a huge emphasis on crowd control and tone down all the other tactical elements of the brawler genre, the first Ken's Rage brings back a good balance between each cluster (crowd control, damage deal, meter build and meter management). The K.O count is still present, but enemies don't necessarily swarm the players and appear in certain sections within an area. Commanders, officers and bosses benefit from different defensive attributes (guard gauge, armor gauge, or spike armor) forcing the player to fight differently depending on the enemy placement. This highlights the functionalities of each move and the movesets's philosophies which are quite faithful to the manga. On a sidenote, enemies are killed in a similar manner as the original comic, including the series's unique death cries, blood, and exploding bodies.

While Kenshiro and Rei can evade like the characters in the Samurai Warriors series (thanks to their respective special move R1 / RB) the game dynamics revolve around the jump cancel feature (which is avaible for all the playable characters). The idea is quite simple: each strong move undefined / Y (PS3 / Xbox 360) can be charged by holding the button turning them into a stronger but slower version of that move, called a Charge Attack. The Charge (in itself) can be canceled by a jump ( / A) and the Charge Attack too. This feature permits players to take reckoned risks and to perform advanced game sequences. The most basic one is the ground and pound loop which is great for crowd control (jump, hold undefined while in the air, land the charge attack, jump cancel, repeat).

On a more advanced level, it is important to note that most guard breaking moves are jumping light and that most strong attacks during a chain of light (ie:, ,undefined) are blockable by the opponent if performed from the front. Here is an advanced sequence: chain light moves into a charge attack. If a bystander opponent tries to interrupt during the charge, jump cancel to get safe, if not perform the charge attack. If the charge attack is blocked, jump cancel and either go in the back of the opponent or land a guard break, or start a jumping charge attack which can be jump cancel afterward too. This is Ken's Rage core dynamics.


 * Players can play under three different styles found among characters: the Hokuto, Nanto, or Special Type.
 * Hokuto style users have a moveset quite close to typical warriors games since they have several strong attacks finishers depending on the number of light moves chain before them (ie:, , undefined =/= , undefined). Interestingly, these characters can pinpoint their opponent's secret pressure points at various times, putting them in meridian shock state in the process and allowing the player to deal critical damage. This can be done by using specific strong moves undefined (PS3) / Y button (Xbox 360) or multi-hits attacks (whatever the button). Landing a signature move on a meridian shocked opponent is more than profitable (meter management / damage deal). This feature highlights Hokuto Shinken "internal pressure points" traits and "one hit kill" philosophy.
 * Nanto fighters have only one strong attack finisher in their chain whatever the number of light moves performed before them (ie:, , undefined = , undefined), but they still have two others standalone strong attacks (undefined and , undefined). However, they can use a unique technique called Timely Strike, which allows the characters to see openings in their opponent's attacks. There are two ways to perform Timely Strike. First, when the player and their opponent simultaneously perform a strong attack, a undefined / Y button may appear on the screen within that instant. If players successfully press the button within the moment it appears, the Nanto fighter will instantly evade the attack and perform a counter (the Timely Strike). The other way to trigger the Timely Strike, (and the most reliable one), is to simply chain three light attacks into a strong attack (, , , undefined) without mashing (input the buttons's series following carefully the slow pace of the game). With a character maxed out, the Timely Strike should appears 95% of the time. This feature highlights Nanto Seikein "external pressure point" traits. In any case, the Timely Strike makes the Nanto user ascends to the Heightened Awareness mode, the screen turning a slight shade of blue during the mode's effective lenght. All their strong attacks (undefined / Y) are now totally different (visual, effect, range) and above all, way more efficient in crowd clearing. This feature highlights the Nanto Seikein "protect the emperor" traits. They also benefits in this mode from a built-in launcher by chaining a jump after a light move (ie: , , , ) allowing them to do juggle combo and even stylish aerial signature move. This feature highlights Nanto Seiken "aerial" philosophy.
 * Special types, like Mamiya and Jagi, rely on a technical perspective and can use weapons for special attacks against their foes. They both have a moveset quite close to typical warriors games since they have different strong attacks depending on the number of light moves chained before them (ie:, , undefined =/= , undefined). While Mamyia is the typical kite character (lots of different projectiles) backed-up with some good meridian shock moves, Jagi is the perfect mix of both Hokuto style, Kite style and Grappler. Mamyia is very user friendly thanks to her fast displacement and projectile set, Jagi is a bit trickier (slow displacement, slow chain) but yet, efficient and very fun to play.
 * 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. However, when the diagram is fully filled, the stage's boss gets a huge buff (only in Legend Mode) and the finisher become insanely long. 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 an opponent's blows to open opportunities for more combos. It requires precise timing with the L1 trigger (PS3) to pull off the technique. This helps reduce the chances of character being stunned from blocking normally. While holding the same button, players can also perform a dashing evade. To do so, they need to determine a direction and tap undefined (PS3) or Y button (Xbox 360). On a side note, The "Just Guard" is more than useful against arrows to repel them and instant kill the bowman.
 * Characters can also grab opponents, climb walls, or pick and throw items with the R2 trigger (PS3). They may also need to destroy objects to clear alternative paths through an area. Pressing R2 and undefined (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 (3 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.
 * Another skill available to each character is the Finisher, which is a special finishing blow that can only be used against nearly defeated bosses during Legend Mode. During the sequence, players will need to input buttons that flash on the screen to pummel their foe with Fist of The North Star flare. The feature is executed in a similar manner as Duels in Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2, except that players need to input a longer series of button combinations for a successful finish. Causing a mistake restores a portion of the boss's health and lowers the player's life as punishment. To make up for that, the next Finisher sequence will be easier to perform.
 * Players can also taunt in the game with their characters to gather the foes togheter, which can be useful to kill many enemies with one signature move. 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.

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
An original story for the game which lets other characters become playable. Characters both have voiced narrations and voiceless character interactions in between stages to help tell the story. The basic outline of the mode has the four Hokuto brothers interacting with the "Nanto army". Each character offers a different perspective or story arc within the mode.

In order to access this mode, players have to at least finish the first stage of Kenshiro's Legend mode. Completing character scenarios in this section is needed to unlock more characters for this mode. The following lists the specific character requirements for each character being unlocked.


 * 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
Features renders, music, and movies within the game. Players can also look up terminology of the series within the brief database section. A player's completion percentage as well as kill counts can be viewed here. The completion percentage does not include the progress on character upgrade charts.

To unlock all of the music in the game, simply complete any character's Dream and Legend Mode.

Settings
Players can arrange the buttons, adjust the sound, or turn off the gauges on the screen. Subtitles may be toggled on or off for the cutscenes but not for in-game speech during battle. There are three difficulties: easy, normal, or hard. An option to adjust the game's violence level can also be done: "Hard" keeps the blood and gore while "Mild" turns it off to a degree.

Playable

 * Kenshiro
 * Rei
 * Mamiya
 * Toki
 * Shin
 * Jagi
 * Thouzer
 * Raoh with his horse, Kokuougou
 * Heart - as downloadable content
 * Outlaw - as downloadable content

Present

 * Yuria
 * Bat
 * Rin
 * Airi
 * Zeed
 * Fang Clan
 * Amiba
 * Uighur the Warden
 * Juda
 * Shew
 * Ryuga
 * Fudo
 * Juza
 * 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

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 collaboration present campaign with Comic Bunch and Weekly Famitsu was announced shortly after the game's release in Japan. Two winners have the chance to win a PlayStation 3 or a Xbox 360 personally signed by Tetsuo Hara (Kenshiro prize). 33 contestants can win a picture signed by Hara (Raoh prize) while 65 entries can win a specially designed phone card (Yuria prize). In order to apply, users would need to place stickers found within copies of Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage and mail it on a postcard to either Comic Bunch or Weekly Famitsu addresses, along with proof of purchase of specially marked magazine publications. Entries have to match the requirements of the prize they hope to obtain in order to be eligible and will be accepted until April 30, 2010 (by postmark on entry).

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

 * FAR AWAY
 * Believe you
 * 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.