##### ##### /###/ \/###/ #-\ # # /# /# /###\ # #___# # # # \ \ # # / _#_ # # # \ \ ##\ / ##\ / # # |_#_| # # # # ## ### ### \###/ #\###\ # # # /# #\ Rurouni Kenshin: # #\# # ## #/ Ishin Gekitouhen ### #\ \# /#\##/ ------------------------------- Version 3.1 by Christopher Amis Last Update: May 5, 2002 ------------------------------- This game tells the tale of the series up to the end of the Oniwabanshu. If you have the first few episodes, or are planning on seeing the series, and don't want to know anything that happens at all, it might not be a good idea to play the game a whole lot, there are a few small spoilers. This guide will help you out with what you might want to know about the game: moves, information, that kind of thing. I've found there's not much about the game on the internet, so I'm writing this to help out fans of the series, like me, who imported the game to fulfill their Kenshin needs. If you want, you can import it brand new, or check eBay, someone's always selling a copy there. -------- Contents -------- 1. Title Menu 2. Controls 3. Characters 4. Secrets 5. Other 6. Bonus Info 7. Updates 8. Goodbye ------------- 1. Title Menu ------------- At the start, there are four options to choose from. If you just leave it alone, the first Rurouni Kenshin opening, "Sobakasu", will play. * Story Mode Play through the game following the events of the anime. Nice animated movies are shown between battles to tell the story as it progresses. The first battle is against Sanza the Gangster (better known as Sagara Sanosuke). As soon as you beat him, you can choose between Sano and Kenshin for the remainder of the game. The fights progress like this: Kenshin vs. Sanosuke Kenshin/Sano vs. Jin-e Kenshin/Sano vs. Hyottoko Kenshin/Sano vs. Hannya Kenshin/Sano vs. Shikijou Kenshin/Sano vs. Shinomori Aoshi Kenshin/Sano vs. Saitoh Hajime (only on hard) * VS. Player Fight against your friends! This is pretty straight forward, you and a buddy battle it out by choosing any of the characters from the game (see the Secrets section for some cool stuff). * VS. Com Here you can fight against all of the characters you would in the Story Mode, except there are no movies in between, and you are free to choose from all of the fighters as well. The fights are in a random order until you beat everyone. * Options The Options menu is totally in japanese (like much of the game), but is the only part you might want to know what it says. I'm thinking of doing a translation of the instruction book, but it wouldn't be happening until later. Difficulty Easy (kind of like a squid, a box with legs at the bottom) Medium (upside down squid, or some flowers in a hat) Hard (lots of lines, it's the most complicated) Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (how many rounds you need to win) Time 30, 45, 60, Infinite (how long you have to win) Memory Card Save (saves options and progress, first option is yes) Load (loads your data, first option is yes) Controller Changes controller options (see the Controls section) Movies (0 - 33) You can watch movies shown in the game. You can get more to watch as you play further into the game. I've listed which number shows which movie in the Other section. Music (0 - 10) Plays music from the game (Song 10 is Heart of Sword!) ----------- 2. Controls ----------- The default controls are listed below, assuming your character is facing right in battle. Punch X Kick O Guard Triangle Guard Square Roll back L1 Roll forward R1 In the Options menu you can change the controls as well, which is a good idea, considering the preset controls aren't the best. You can set buttons to Punch + Guard, Punch + Kick, or Punch + Kick + Guard, which can be useful in a pinch, and can be used for some attacks as well. The controls I find the most effective are shown below. Punch Square Kick O Guard X Punch + Block R1 Kick + Block R2 Punch + Kick L1 P + K + B Triangle In battle, you will probably see that there are different coloured slashes when you use your weapon. The red slashes are the ones that will knock the oppoent down, while the yellow and green ones are weaker and won't knock down your opponent. Use these if you want to get a few hits in. ------------- 3. Characters ------------- This guide was written assuming you are semi-experienced when it comes to fighting games, and that you know what things like Charge back, and Down-forward mean. If not, please check a FAQ for another game, as I feel no need to explain it here. Move names in square brackets indicate that it is not the real name, but a description of what it is. Remember that when your opponent is down, you can move up close to them and smash them in the face with Down+K. Himura Kenshin -------------- Age: 28 Birthday: June 20, 1849 Height: 158 cm Weight: 48 kg Blood Type: AB Affiliation: Kenshingumi Weapon: Sakabatou Kenjutsu: Hiten·Mitsurugi·Ryu Basic Moves [360° Jump Kick] Up, K [Middle Slash] Forward, P [Quick Spin Slash] Down, K [Spin Slash] Back+K [Jump Slash] Up-forward+K or Up-back+K Special Moves [360° Spin Slash] Forward, Forward, K [Running Slash] Back, Forward, K (or if facing away) Forward, K Hitensen P+G (up close) Ryukansen·Tsumuji P, P, P, P, P Ryukansen P, P, K Sayachi·Tsumuji Down-Forward, P, P Ryuhisen Down+K, Up+K Souryusen Back, Forward+P, P [Slash back to normal] Back, K, Forward, K * use this attack while in the resulting Sou·ryu·sen stance Sagara Sanosuke --------------- Age: 19 Birthday: February 1860 Height: 179 cm Weight: 71 kg Blood Type: B Affiliation: Kenshingumi/Sekihotai Weapon: Fists Kenjutsu: ??? Basic Moves [Low Sweep] Down-forward, K [2-Fist Smash] Up-forward+P [2-Foot Smash] Up-forward+K [Cartwheel Kick] Back+K [Strong Punch] P+K [360° Foot Sweep] Down, K+G Special Moves Akuichimonji Uryarya P+G (up close) Kenkarenda P, P, Forward+P Kenkaichimonji P, P, P, K Kenkaichimonji Harai P, P, P, Down, K Kenkauchikeri P, K, K Akuichimonji Forward, Forward+P, Forward+P, Forward+P [Hard Uppercut] Forward, Down, Forward+P [Strong High Kick] Forward, Forward, K [Sideways Low Kick] Back, Forward, K [Shoulder Lunge] Back, Forward, P Zanza the Gangster (Sanosuke with Zanbatou) ------------------------------------------- Age: 19 Birthday: February 1860 Height: 179 cm Weight: 71 kg Blood Type: B Affiliation: Sekihotai Weapon: Zanbatou Kenjutsu: ??? ??? P, P, P ??? Forward, P ??? Up, P or K ??? P+K Udou Jin-e ---------- Age: 36 Birthday: July 1843 Height: 182 cm Weight: 78 kg Blood Type: AB Affiliation: Meiji Government Weapon: Nihontou Kenjutsu: Nikaidou Heibou Basic Moves [Low Sweeping Slash] Back, P [Hard Overhead Slash] Back, K [Fast Middle Slash] Down-forward, K [Quick Leap Forward] Up-forward+K Special Moves Shin no Ippou P+G (up close) Kagewaza·Magatana P, P, P Hyouki no Jutsu K, K, P, P, P Kagewaza·Sasaganana Down+K+G, K Kagewaza·Koroshigatana Forward, P, Back, K [Superman Lunge] Forward, Down, Forward+P [Superman Lunge] Forward, Forward, P+K Hyottoko -------- Age: ??? Birthday: ??? Height: ??? Weight: Really Heavy Blood Type: ??? Affiliation: Oniwabanshu Weapon: Belly/Fists Kenjutsu: ??? Basic Moves [2-Hand Smash] P+K [High Elbow] Back, P [Low Sweep punch] Down-forward, P [Drop Kick (high)] Up, Up-forward, K [Drop Kick (low)] Down-forward, K Special Moves Kakaenage P+G (up close) Kaentoiki (high) Forward, Forward+K Kaentoiki (low) Down, Down, K Dokkoisho Forward+P+K+G Buchikamashi P+K+G Buchikamashi Forward, Down, Forward+P Midareuchi P, P, P Hitsusatsuchi Forward, Forward, P, P, P [Long Jab] Forward, Forward, P Hannya ------ Age: ??? Birthday: ??? Height: ??? Weight: ??? Blood Type: ??? Affiliation: Oniwabanshu Weapon: Metal Plated Leather Gloves Kenjutsu: Shinwan no Jutsu (Kenpo) Basic Moves [High Spin Kick] K+G [Foot Sweep] Down, P+K [Punch/Kick Combo] Down, P, K [Punch/Kick Spin] Down-back, P, K Special Moves Noroikuzushi P+G (up close) Shurakai Up-Back, K Shurasashi Forward, K Gekishoshuhou P, P, P, K Kaitenshuhou Forward, P, P Shuratou Forward, Down, Forward+P Shuratou Back, K+G Shikijou -------- Age: ??? Birthday: ??? Height: ??? Weight: ??? Blood Type: ??? Affiliation: Oniwabanshu Weapon: Fists Kenjutsu: ??? Basic Moves [Hard low kick] Down, Down, K [Drop kick] Up-forward, K Special Moves Tsukaminage P+G (up close) Renzokuate P, Forward+P, P, P Koyenken Forward, Forward, P Renzokuategedan P, P, Forward, P Tobikomizutsuki Down-forward+K, Back+P Renzokuchi Down-forward+P, Down-forward+P [2-Hand Uppercut] Forward, Down, Forward+P [Cartwheel Kick] Back, Forward, K Shinomori Aoshi --------------- Age: 26 Birthday: January 1853 Height: 182 cm Weight: 72 kg Blood Type: A Affiliation: Oniwabanshu Weapon: Kodachi Kenjutsu: Kodachinitou-Ryu Basic Moves [Waterfall Smash] Up+K [Low-Middle Kick] Down-Forward, K Special Moves Tatsumakinage P+G (up close) Ryujinkenfu P+K Kagamimawashigeri P, Down+K Musoukenbu P, P, P, P, K Midaregeri Back+K, K Shichiseikenbu Forward+P, P, K [Flying Low Spin Kick] Forward, Forward, K [360° Spin Slash] Back, Forward, P Kamiya Kaoru ------------ Age: 17 Birthday: June 1862 Height: 155 cm Weight: 41 kg Blood Type: O Affiliation: Kenshingumi Weapon: Bokken Kenjutsu: Kamiya-Kasshin-Ryu Basic Moves [Jump Punch] Up, P [Jump Kick] Up, K [Low Spin Slash] Back+K [Side Swing] Forward+P [Hard Slash Downward] P+K [Leapfrog] Up-forward+K Special Moves [4-Hit Combo] P, P, P, P [2-Hit Combo] P, K [2-Hit Combo] Forward+K, K Hajime Saitou ------------- Age: 35 Birthday: January 1, 1844 Height: 183 cm Weight: 71 kg Blood Type: O Affiliation: Meiji Government/Shinsengumi Weapon: Katana Kenjutsu: Hira-Tsuki Basic Moves [Circle Slash] Back+P, Down+P [Slash Down] Forward, P+K [Uppercut w/ Sword] K+G [Uppercut w/ Sword] Forward, Down, Forward+P [Shoulder Slash] Back + K [Big Low Slash] Down, K * only when facing away Special Moves [Grab/Punch/Slam] P+G (up close) Gatotsu-First Stance Forward, Forward+P+K [2-hit Combo] P, P, P, K [Donkey Kick] Forward, Forward+K [Punch/Stab/Slash] P, Forward+P, P [Low Stab/Foot Sweep] Down-Forward+K, Up-Forward+K ---------- 4. Secrets ---------- Have you done everything you can do, and are looking for some more fun? Obviously not, or you wouldn't even have to look here. For alternate costumes of each of the characters, simply hold up when you choose your fighter. To play as Kamiya Kaoru, beat all of the characters in the VS. Com setting. It's very easy to do, as you can do it on easy if you want to. To play as Hajime Saitou, finish the Story Mode on hard. This is a lot harder to do than it seems, because you have to fight Saitou at the end, and he's HARD. To cheat a little and to make it easier on you, set the Options to one round, thirty seconds, and hope for the best. Beat the Story Mode on hard and you will get all the movies added to the options menu automatically. To use Sanosuke's monster zanbatou sword, hold select when you choose him, then when the blue ***** vs. ***** screen comes up, release it and quickly push it back in. To be able to select Sanosuke WITH the zanbatou in Story Mode, beat the Story Mode with only Kenshin and only Sanosuke (with the exception of the first round). Finish the Story Mode or VS Mode on hard without using any continues to see a pencil drawing on Kenshin's face appear at the end of the credits. --------- 5. Other --------- Here is a list of what scene you will see for choosing which movie number in the Options screen. 0 - First opening - Sobakasu by Judy & Mary 1 - The introduction to Story Mode 2 - Kenshin beats Sanosuke 3 - Sanosuke beats Kenshin 4 - Kenshin beats Jin-e 5 - Jin-e beats Kenshin 6 - Sanosuke beats Jin-e 7 - Jin-e beats Sanosuke 8 - Kenshin beats Hyottoko 9 - Hyottoko beats Kenshin 10 - Sanosuke beats Hyottoko 11 - Hyottoko beats Sanosuke 12 - Kenshin beats Hannya 13 - Hannya beats Kenshin 14 - Sanosuke beats Hannya 15 - Hannya beats Sanosuke 16 - Kenshin beats Shikijou 17 - Shikijou beats Kenshin 18 - Sanosuke beats Shikijou 19 - Shikijou beats Sanosuke 20 - Kenshin beats Aoshi 21 - Aoshi beats Kenshin 22 - Sanosuke beats Aoshi 23 - Aoshi beats Sanosuke 24 - Kenshin beats Saitoh 25 - Saitoh beats Kenshin 26 - Sanosuke beats Saitoh 27 - Saitoh beats Sanosuke 28 - Kenshin and Saitoh - Past and Present 29 - Okubo dies - Shishio Makoto - Kyoto Bound 30 - Hiruma Gohey - Beshimi - Raijuta Isurugi 31 - Kenshingumi see off Yutaro (on a train??) 32 - Sanza the Gangster's introduction scene 33 - Aoshi buries the Oniwabanshu Now I hope that was useful to you. Probably not, more than likely it was just a huge waste of my time. The lyrics to the featured songs are as follows: Sobakasu - Performed by Judy & Mary ----------------------------------- Daikirai datta sobakasu wo chotto Hitonadeshite tame iki wo hitotsu Hebi ikkyuu no koi wa migoto ni Kakuzatou to isshoni toketa Mae yori mo motto yaseta mune ni chotto "Chiku"tto sasaru toge ga itai Hoshiuranai mo ate ni naranai wa Motto touku made isshoni yuketara nee Ureshikute sore dakede Omoi de wa itsumo kirei dakedo Wore dake ja onaka ga suku wa Honto wa setsunai yoru nanoni Doushite kashira? Ano hito no namida mo omoi dasenai no? Omoidasenai no Doushitenano? Heart of Sword ~ Yoake Mae - Performed by T.M. Revolution --------------------------------------------------------- Hitori de wa, tooi ashita wo Yoake no mama de, koesou de Butsukatteikya kokeru omoi yo Konya mo mata, sure chigai Sanzan sugite doryoku no ato mo Naku naru kekka, only no tsuna watari Yaru dake son suru yona, mainichi wa Sha ni kamaeteta hou koso, raku ni naru Atsukute, tsurai Jibun wo kakushite Mijikai toki wo ikiteru Hitori de wa, tooi ashita wo Yoake no mama de, koesou de Hottokeba, hashiru omoi yo Yume mo mata, sure chigai Kanpeki to chau, jinsei no shuushi Puramai zero da nanteba honto ka na? Shinu made ni tsukaikiru, un no kazu Semete, jibun de dashiire wo sasete Wakacchainai, Kimi nara dou ni demo, Rikutsu wo kaete ii noni Nando kimi ni, ketsu mazuitemo Modottekichau, aijou ni Shinjikaneru, utaretsuyosa yo Konya mo, soutou nemurenai Nando nankai, kurikaeshitemo Modottekichau, ai dakara Butsukatteiku, kesunu omoi wo Semeru hou ga, suji chigai Hitori de wa, tooi ashita wo Yoake no mama de koeteyuku Aishou yori mo, fukai futari wa Sure chigatte kamawanai ------------- 6. Bonus Info ------------- Nothing really necessary when playing the game, but here's a few little points that fans might find interesting (I realize it's incredulously small now, but hopefully it'll grow over time). - Shin no Ippou is Jin-e's ougi (succession technique) - 'Sobakasu' translates to 'freckles' ---------- 7. Updates ---------- The most recent version of this FAQ can be found at the following locations: GameFAQS http://www.gamefaqs.com AllAnime http://www.allanime.com Video Game Strategies http://vgstrategies.about.com 05/05/02 - v3.1 - minor character info updates - pencil sketch and costume secrets added, as well as the zanbatou sword correction 01/18/00 - v3.0 - minor character info updates - moves split into basic and special moves - new moves added and a few modified - Bonus Info section added 07/10/99 - v2.2 - changes to moves list - more character info added - minor additions and corrections made - my feeble attempt at making an ASCII logo added 06/25/99 - v2.1 - minor corrections with the layout fixed - unknown names for moves listed as ??? to keep consistant with the rest of the FAQ 05/09/99 - v2.0 - SECOND Second edition. I made a huge update, which was unfortunately lost, but hopefully I got all the info in again this time. - new, more efficient format - detailed moves listed for almost everyone - two secrets added 03/07/99 - v1.0 - first edition ---------- 8. Goodbye ---------- I hope this guide helped you out, if there's anything else you would like to see here, or if you have anything to contribute, please let me know, and I'll be glad to (try to) help. A huge thanks to Clint Moulds (cmould1@gl.umbc.edu) for helping out with some moves, and for giving me the idea to split the moves up. Thanks to KI0N0A@aol.com for the names of some of the moves, as well as some other useful information. Thanks to MrSoulReaver@aol.com and Grant (r_hkenshin@hotmail.com) for some more secrets. Thanks to Paulo Serralheiro (tekaefixe@yahoo.com) for the tip on viewing the pencil sketch of Kenshin. Thanks to Hisoka Kurosaki (kolk@scf.usc.edu) for the lyrics to both the opening and ending songs. Thanks to the boys at Project Oro (http://oro.simplenet.com) and the maintainter of Kenshin's Rurouni Resource Center (http://home.hkstar.com/~kenshin/rurouni/) for verifying some of the series info I wasn't sure of off my head. Thanks to Hecto (aka Shinsengumi) for fansubbing the series, and to AniFan (http://home.ipoline.com/~anifan/home.htm) for carrying them. Thanks to AnimeNation (http://www.animenation.com) for letting me (letting me? *_*;;) buy the import from them. Thanks to Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and to Zoom for making a 3D Rurouni Kenshin fighting game. It's not the best, but it's Kenshin. Christopher Amis ICQ UIN: 1206297 amiscw@mcmaster.ca http://www.3pm.ca