Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War

Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War (ブレイドストーム -百年戦争-) is a game is based on the Hundred Years' War which saw the forces of England face off against the forces of France. It is one of the few Koei produced titles to keep the same language track internationally.

The character designs were made by Shinobu Tanno. The position of director was handed to Akihiro Suzuki. Shinichiro Nakamura served as the game's sound director while Jamie Christopherson composed the soundtrack. Much of the orchestral performance had been done by Thanh Tran, Adam Klemens, and the Prague Symphony Orchestra. Evelina Christopherson provided the text and vocals for the Latin choir used in most of the music tracks. Additional music samples were also supplied by the East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs.

Kenichi Ogasawara, one of Omega Force's founders, said his next future project would be to someday create Bladestorm for the PlayStation Vita. He wants to include online capabilities for Bladestorm fans, feeling that it would fill in a missing gap from the original game. Suzuki commented in an interview during 2010 that the developers were interested in making a follow-up for this title, which was finally announced in 2014.

Gameplay

Players assume the role of a freelance commander with a group of mercenary units who are free to align themselves with the French or English before each battle. Each conflict has its own set mission which may vary from capturing a base, to defending a base, or capturing a base while defending another. Certain battles also have specific tasks that reward more money, items, and experience. These requests include acting as a bodyguard, defeating an officer's arch enemy, or trying to collect certain items found on the battlefield. Fulfilling a contract increases fame which unlocks more difficult stages and new events leading to special battles.

During the battle, players can assume command of various units, the basics of which are infantry, cavalry and archers. Throughout the game, more units are unlocked by collecting special tomes. Infantry units disperse into an array of units including: knives, spears, maces, greatswords, axes, clubs and polearms, along with units that simply fight with their bare hands. Cavalry is divided into groups that comprise of knight units (essentially polearm-wielding infantry on horses), spear cavalry, and lady cavalry units. Archers also fall into subcategories, including short bow units, longbow units and crossbow units. The game also includes some special units, like cannoniers, trumpeteers, elephant units, and castle siege units. Because the key to victory lies in leading squads effectively, fighting alone is highly discouraged unless unit dispersal becomes a necessary tactic.

Each side leads various campaigns in different areas which results in various story paths. Luring the base commander out of hiding and defeating him is necessary in order to take over a base. Since Bladestorm focuses on capturing territories within each battle, conflict persists until every base within an area is captured by one side. Bases may range from minor keeps to fortified strongholds which all have their own set of units guarding them. Leaders and soldiers accompany the player, and greatly affect the play on the battlefield. Leaders on each side play key roles in capturing bases, and should be used to the player's advantage. Defeating enemy officers earns not only fame but also items or denier.

Throughout the storyline, sub-stories also develop which often tie in other well-known mercenaries that may accompany the player in battle. These can vary from attempting to outdo another mercenary on the battlefield, or to befriend them. Sometimes, they may even appear as enemies depending on what faction the player currently sides with.

At the beginning of each battle, every unit is grouped at a different base and has a specific course set for them during the battle. It is the player's personal responsibility to decide who to aid in order to achieve victory. Allied and opposed officers have an impact on the battlefield and have the capability to defend or take over a base on their own. Keeping a careful eye on various units' movement and observing which bases are being attacked will result in a greater advantage for the player.

The gameplay appears fairly similar to Kessen III. It's possible that this title is actually the oft rumored Kessen IV, which was reported to be set during medieval times in Europe.

Characters

Kingdom of England

Kingdom of France

Mercenaries

Achievements

Name	Unlock Method	Xbox Points
Cleared Story	Self-explanatory.	150
Book of Axes	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Bows	Acquire book after creating a new character.	50
Book of Camels	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Chariots	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Clubs	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Elephants	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Halberds	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Horsebows	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Horses	Acquire book after creating a new character.	50
Book of Knives	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Long Spears	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Magic	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Rapiers	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Spears	Acquire book from a chest in battle.	50
Book of Swords	Acquire book after creating a new character.	50

Icon	Name	Unlock Method	Xbox Points
	Book of Explosives	Acquire a book describing how to use firearms.	50
	Book of Engineering	Acquire a book describing a special style of fighting.	50

Image Song

Rin toshite...

Performed by Rin

*used for commercials

Allusions

Some of the more rare weapons in the game are exact replicas of fourth weapons found in the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series. In the former's case, the game features the Dynasty Warriors 5 version of their weapons. Characters mentioned are:
- Guan Yu and Lu Bu for the halberd class.
- Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Yukimura, Tadakatsu, and Xing Cai are referenced in the spear category; Xing Cai's shield also appears as a separate rare item.
- Cao Cao, Nobunaga, and Kenshin for long swords.
- Lu Xun appears for daggers.
- Zhou Yu in the shamshir category.
- Ina in long bows.
- Magoichi for the guns.
- Yoshihiro in hammers.
- Nagamasa for the knightly lances.

Gallery

European cover
Japanese cover
Premium Box cover
Korean cover
Gpara exclusive wallpaper 1
Gpara exclusive wallpaper 2
Gpara exclusive wallpaper 3

External Links

Bladestorm
The Hundred Years' War • Nightmare
English Officers
	Branwyn • Edward the Black Prince • Hal • Henry Percy • Iamarl • John Chandos • John Fastolf • John Talbot • King of England • Philippa • Richard Beauchamp
French Officers
	Arthur de Richemont • Bertrand du Guesclin • Christine de Pizan • Gilles de Rais • Jean de Metz • Joan of Arc • King of France • La Hire • Marie • Philippe le Bon • You Ji
Independent Mercenaries
Diane • John Hawkwood • Karen • Marc and Georges • Magnus • Naran • Protagonist • Shakti • William • Yoshimasa
Game Elements
Unit Types • Unit Types (Nightmare) • Inventory • Battles • Missions • Diabolus • Gladius Dux