Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage

*Not confuse with the 1998 arcade game Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage.*

***Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage*** (剣客異聞録 甦りし蒼紅の刃 サムライスピリッツ新章, *Kenkaku Ibunroku - Yomigaerishi Sōkō no Yaiba - Samurai Supirittsu Shinshō*?), literally translated as *“**Strange Tale of the Swordsman: Revival of the Azure and Crimson Blades – A New Chapter of Samurai Spirits**”*, is a fighting video game developed and published by SNK Corporation. A 3D polygon-based game, it is the seventh main release in the Samurai Shodown series and sequel to the 1998 Hyper Neo Geo 64 game *Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage*. First was released in Japan on late 1999 and the next year on North America, exclusively for Sony’s PlayStation home console. Was released once again as digital download for the PlayStation 3 and PSP during 2007 (only for Japan).

Similar to previous *Samurai Shodown* games, *Warriors Rage* gameplay consist of two players, or one player and the CPU, fighting against each other with their selected character, using a varied array of basic or special attacks. Some new features are the reworked Life Gauge, one-round matches, and a nearly brand-new character roster. This game also has a strong emphasis on storytelling, so SNK labeled it as **"Sword Drama Entertainment"**.

*Warriors Rage* was one of the latest SNK games before their bankrupt in 2001. Suffering low distribution and sales, cheap production values, receiving mostly negative reviews from critics and fans upon release, and following the mixed reception of the previous 3D games of the series (*Samurai Shodown 64* and *64: Warriors Rage*), all of this caused an interest decline of the series among fanbase and gamers.
It would not be until 2003 when Yuki Enterprise (now Examu) took development duties with some SNK staff veterans for the comeback of *Samurai Shodown*. Returning to the classic 2D sprites and the Multi Video System arcade board, they released the series’ prequel *Samurai Shodown V*.

## Overview

This is the first ever fighting game in the *Samurai Shodown* series without proper arcade version, so SNK tried to revamp the overall presentation of the game according to the standards of home console games. First, the developers added some Full Motion Videos featuring CGI animation for game intro, intermissions, ending, etc. Text-based character dialogues have its respective screen similar to RPG games of the time, without voice acting. Second, the traditional Arcade Mode was re-branded as Story Mode, where the player selects a character and travels across 13 CPU battles (sometimes including waves of generic enemies like Iga Ninjas, Oboro’s Amazons, Samurais, or Brutes); each time when the game is beaten (difficult level 4 or superior is required) with a different character, a hidden one will be unlocked, and the player is rewarded with Gallery Trading Cards, and new game modes unlocked as well. These modes are:

* **Attack** – 1P vs 2P/CPU. The player can configure some battle settings and conditions. Also the player can customize characters adding special ability points for exclusive use of Attack Mode.
* **Battle** - 1P vs 2P/CPU. No options to configure. Win/Lose records can be saved.
* **Gallery** – A proper gallery option to look artwork from previous *Samurai Shodown* games. Illustrations can be unlocked randomly after finish Story Mode and receive 14 Trading Cards. This mode also includes a mini-game called “The Guessing Game” hosted by Rimururu where the player must guess what hand is holding an ice-crystal in to unlock more artworks.
* **Movie** – Watch any movies you already saw while playing in Story Mode (including Intro movies).

Other default game modes are Training, Options, and Memory Card to save and load all game data, custom character, and records.
*Warriors Rage* retains the polygonal graphic engine first found in the Hyper Neo Geo games of the series, but showing a noticeable downgrade in the polygon count and detail. The battle stages are governed by the classic X/Y axes from previous 2D games despite the background and character 3D rotation during dodges and camera close-up during victory poses or Super Special moves.

As common in competitive fighting games, players must attack his/her opponent during a match to deplete all of his Life Gauge. *Warriors Rage* dropped the traditional Life Gauge format and round-based matches, instead, a kind of one-round matches are featured, similar to games like *Darkstalkers 3* (Capcom, 1997) or *Killer Instinct* (Rare, 1994), where the player that first drain opponent’s Life Gauge retains his/her remaining Life Gauge and do not receive extra health. Here, the Life Gauge is divided into three sections: when the first, full Life Gauge (green color) is finished, the battle flow stops and the gauge refilled 66% to the second section and now the gauge turns orange. When the gauge is once again depleted the match stop briefly and the third, final portion of the Life Gauge is recovered (33% approximately) but flashing red. A player wins the match after draining all of the Life Gauge’s three sections.

The soundtrack of this game, as usual in the series, is composed by traditional japanese instrumentation, orchestrated themes, rock-inspired songs, ambience pieces, and an ending track sung by Nakoruru and Rimururu’s voice actresses. Overall, the soundtrack of *Warriors Rage* is regarded as one of the best in *Samurai Shodown* history.

The game also spawned a two-volume manga adaption illustrated by Takashi Kujira. It also has a drama CD that predates the start of the game. A short novelization of the game was published for *The Playstation* magazine in late 1999 through early 2000. They were written by Uriwari Minami, who is a former developer of the *Samurai Shodown* series.

## Gameplay

*Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage* features a familiar button layout: Light Slash (square), Strong Slash (triangle), Kick (cross), and Dodge (circle). All of these attacks can be performed while holding forward to do special variations: forward + Light Slash serves to pierce crouching guards, while forward + Kick will knockdown enemies with a standing guard. This game has two ways to save the player from opponent attacks: Sword Stun (pressing back or back-down with the correct timing to deflect standing/upper or low attacks, respectively), and Evasion maneuvers (same rules as Sword Stun, this time using forward or forward-down). Other classic moves like Defense Breaker, Locking Swords, Weapon-Flipping Techniques, Rage Explosion, and Fatal Flash are also present (all of these requires the player’s character to be armed with his/her weapon). The game also had an alternative, special kind of stun attack to break guards performed when Light + Strong Slash buttons are pushing at the same time.

Rage Gauge works with some modifications: it’s divided into 3 sections, with 1 gauge level at the beginning of the match. Always the Rage Gauge automatically depletes, but can be increased if the player receives damage from the opponent, as usual. Some movements require costs from the Rage Gauge, as Weapon-Flipping Technique (all 3 levels), or the new stun attack have a cost of 1 level of the gauge.

Together with Weapon-Flipping Technique, *Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage* presents the Hidden Super Special move, a type of super special movements previously found in the *Samurai Shodown 64* and *Warriors Rage 64* arcade games that only can be executed with the red portion of Life Gauge. After perform this super special move the player first must wait to lose some portion of Life Gauge to use the Hidden Super Special technique once again.

## Plot

### Intro

#### Nakoruru opening

*Twenty years have passed since
the defeat of the ultimate evil.
Edo greedily enjoys its peace.
Nearby floats an eerie island.
On this despised "Thug's Lair"
reside the age's most ruthless
and loathsome criminals.
Those who seek world dominance
run the capital, "Riten Kyo".
And herein, a new calamity is
set to threaten the era's peace.*
#### The Kuki Brothers opening

昔、この国は
侍の國だった
SOUL
魂よ甦れ
SPIRIT
感覚を研ぎ澄ませ
己が宿命を背負い
次の世の為に
この血塗られた時代を
喰らえ
哭きながら
この絶望の街を
走れ
猛るままに
走り抜け
死の翼を
怖れる事なく
自由なる
夢と希望に従え
そして、この國から
侍は、消えた。
#### Japanese rōmaji

*Mukashi, kono kuni wa*
*Samurai no kunidatta*
*Sōru*
*Tamashī yo yomigaere*
*Supiritto*
*Kankaku o togisumase*
*Onore ga shukumei o shoi*
*Tsugi no yo no tame ni*
*Kono chinura reta jidai o*
*Kurae*
*Nakinagara*
*Kono zetsubō no machi o*
*Hashire*
*Takeru mama ni*
*Hashirinuke*
*Shi no tsubasa o*
*Osoreru koto naku*
*Jiyūnaru*
*Yumetokibō ni shitagae*
*Soshite, kono kuni kara*
*Samurai wa, kieta.*
#### English translation

*Once upon a time, this country*
*was a country of samurais.*
*Soul,*
*revive your soul.*
*Spirit,*
*sharpen your senses.*
*I take my fate*
*to the next new world.*
*A bloody-filled era.*
*Eating.*
*Crawling.*
*This is a city of despair.*
*Run*
*as fierce.*
*Run through*
*the winds of death*
*without being afraid.*
*Be free.*
*Follow your dreams and hopes.*
*And, for this country,*
*the samurai have disappeared.*
### Story

It is a time of sustained peace, and the age of the sword was drawing to a close. But an increasing number could not adapt to the flow of history and became trouble before long. So the shogunate created a "colony of prisoners" on a small island in sea nearby Edo as a place to rehabilitate the outlaws. But, there were those who exploited this prison island and tried to create a "new world exclusively for the chosen ones" after destroying the shogunate. The group they formed was called the "League of the Three Blades of Domination" and each member had their own mighty strength. Using their might, they subjugated the outlaws and begin their plans to overthrow the shogunate. And in no time the "town of outlaws" came to be called "Ritenkyo" - the seat of opposition.

Under these figures Ritenkyo unexpectedly changed from a "place of rehabilitation for returning to society" to a "lawless zone in which only the strong survive." The inhabitants engaged in vendettas, skirmishes, and death battles to survive from day to day. And the "Three Blades of Domination" steadily consolidated their power to its utmost, absorbing strength from the hate surrounding them.

On a still, pitch-black night of the new moon. Flicker-Flicker-Flicker-Flicker. The glow of a candle grows and a single shadow emerges from the darkness. It is an elderly gentleman with a beard and tranquil visage. "Have they arrived?"

"Yes, Lord Oboro. The red-eyed boy and girl have come."

Only a voice comes from the darkness. Without making a noise, the old man rises and speaks: "At last, the time has come.... Time to make their acquaintance." The man's closed eyelids pop open. His red eyes glow with the light of the candle.

Whooooosh! A burst of wind slices the calm, and darkness once again dominates the world.

A few years later, three people look down at the world below from a tall tower. One is a tall man armed with a sword; the other, a bewitching, alabaster-skinned woman. The two share a pair of red eyes. And standing behind them awaits a fine-looking elderly man who appears somewhat out of place.

The sunlight reflects off their red eyes, making them glow eerily. The woman mutters, "A few people we have some things to settle with appear to have entered Ritenkyo. Word has it that they are major obstacles to the realization of our intentions."

The man speaks as he continues to survey the world below. "All we need to do is wait here. The rats will come even if we do nothing."

The Three Blades of Domination are about to bring an end to the era of peace in this world. And the warriors who battle for their own reasons converge on "Ritenkyo" as our story begins.

## Characters

Twenty years have passes since the events of *Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage*. Now in the year 1811, *Samurai Shodown Warriors Rage* features a nearly new cast of characters to select. Unlike new characters from Hyper Neo Geo 64 games, none of these new faces made the jump to future SNK or *Samurai Shodown* games.
Some hidden characters only have basic movements and are considered “generic” or secondary, added to the Story mode for plot purposes. The main hidden characters share moves with some of the main roster’s characters, or have their own set of movements.

### Main selectionable characters

* Garyo The Whirlwind – the leader of a band of thieves that were imprisoned by the League of the Three Blades of Domination (or Razor Trio). His men were slayed, so Garyo charges against them seeking revenge.
* Haito Kanakura – An addict to the strength-enhance drugs that work as freelance bodyguard and assassin at Ritenkyo. He has a great hatred for Tohma.
* Hanzo Hattori – although a familiar name, this is actually the son of the original Hanzo Hattori found in early titles of the series. As leader of the ninja army that supports the Shogunate from the shadows, he goes to Ritenkyo to investigate.
* Haohmaru – The Legendary Samurai returns to the battle field. He is advised by the Holy One (Nakoruru) about the new crisis that treats the era’s peace. Also ask him to look for Mikoto.
* Jin-Emon Hanafusa – a skillful spearmaster loyal to the Shogunate. He is partnering with Seishiro to end the Razer Trio rebellion.
* Jushiro Sakaki – once a government agent (onmitsu), member of the Oniwaban, Jushiro was blamed for murder during an ambush to kill Oboro. Dissapointed, Jushiro escape to Ritenkyo, waiting to kill Oboro, while avoid Bakufu warriors sent to execute him.
* Ran Po – an orphan who has lived all of his life on Ritekyo island. He trusts nobody except Minto, his adopted little sister. He has not seen Minto since several days, so Ran Po goes in her search.
* Rinka Yoshino – she left home to train on her own. While she was away her family fell presumably by the Shogunate. This motivated her to join a group of anti-government warriors.
* Saya – a blond woman from an unknown foreign country. She was trained to use scythes, and she’s looking to take revenge against Oboro. Saya forms a team with Jushiro and Rinka: the Atom Rebels.
* Seishiro Kuki – the protagonist of *Warriors Rage*. Seishiro is son of the Legendary Kuki and adoptive brother of Tohma. Both grew and trained together but Tohma was always jealous of Seishiro. Someday Tohma killed Kuki and stole one of his swords. Now working at the government Seishiro is tasked to investigate Ritenkyo and kill the Razor Trio alongside Jin-Emon, Kuki’s old friend.
* Yaci Izanagi – one of the cruelest warriors found in Ritenkyo and Haito’s friend; he actually runs his own gang called Shibito. But Yaci changes his mind after meet and fall in love with a geisha, promising cease his crime life.

### Hidden characters

* Mikoto – gifted with sobrenatural powers, Mikoto struggles with the two personalities inside herself. Raised by Haohmaru she leaves the temple and arrives later to Ritenkyo Island. Quickly in love with Tohma and convinced by Oboro, she is now a member of the Razor Trio.
* Tohma Kuki – born in Europe but orphan, destiny took him to Japan. Was adopted and trained by the legendary samurai Kuki. His foster father already had a son called Seishiro. As he grows up, so does the rivalry and hate towards his foster brother. One day he assassinates Kuki and steals one of his swords. With hopes to become the greatest swordsman he forms the “League of the Three Blades of Domination” in Ritenkyo with Oboro and Mikoto. His ultimate goal is to take Seishiro’s sword, reunite both of the Kuki’s legendary weapons and achieve amazing strength.

### Hidden characters with shared moveset

* Daruma – he acts like a father with Ran Po and Minto. He decides to face Razor Trio to start the clearing of crime and death upon the island.
* Minto – a green-hair little girl, she is like a young sister for Ran Po. Minto goes to the Razor Trio’s headquarters while following her friend Mario.
* Mugenji - A murderer who lives in the forest of Ritenkyo. He continues to kill people in the city every night. He shows an abnormal tenacity towards beauty.
* Tashon Mao – chinese martial artist. He arrives to Ritenkyo thinking its Mainland Japan. Inside a forest he sees the fairy spirit of Nakoruru, so he decides to protect the spirit of strangers at all costs.
* Yuda – He’s a man who is dressed in black and looks expressionless and empty. Actually he is the amnesic fusion of both Asura/Shadow Asura, and Mikoto’s father.

### Generic characters

* Brute – member of a group of ruffians acting violently in Ritenkyo.
* Iga Ninja – he forms part of the mightiest Ninja team led by Hanzo Hattori, capable to deal with any dangerous mission.
* Oboro’s Amazon – former shrine maidens; now the Amazons are a group of assassins under Oboro or Mikoto orders.
* Samurai – regular soldiers of the Shogunate army. Always in groups when they are fulfilling a mission.

### Final boss

* Oboro – although he looks like a friendly old man, Oboro was an experienced Ninja during his youth and rival of the original Hanzo Hattori. Now with deep knowledge in black magic, he runs a rebellious scheme to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate and establish a new national order in the name of a mysterious priest. He starts the revolt in Ritenkyo alongside Tohma and Mikoto, the “League of the Three Blades of Domination”.

### How to unlock secret characters

Clear Story Mode (Level 4 or above) with the next characters to unlock the hidden ones.

## Stages

* Akatsuki Village (day and evening)
* Gokumon (day and night)
* The Hideout
* Holy Forest
* Oboro Shrine
* Polluted Forest
* Prayer Tower
* The Ruins
* Tengen Castle
* Zegen Street (day and night)

## Regional differences

* PocketStation - Players can play as Nakoruru in a RPG mini adventure. With Shikuru and Mamahaha, she needs to heal and defend Mother Nature from Yuga the Destroyer's schemes. Players need to clear 20 obstacles to finish a game. The gameplay is rather simplistic and is fairly easy to complete. Its main draws are the illustration and movie files found during play, which can be saved on the Playstation memory card and is viewable in *Warriors Rage* gallery mode. The other bonus for the PocketStation was a clock function known as the Samurai Watch or "Samu Watch". Players can chose either Nakoruru or Rimururu to tell them the time.
* Censorship – the Japanese version featured red blood, while the American version shows white colors.

## Gallery

*Main article: Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage Gallery*
*North America cover art**Title screen**Character select screen**Gameplay screenshot*