Product description
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Brave Fencer Musashi has been summoned to stop an ancient evil
force to save the kingdom and rescue the princess. Embark on a
wild comical action / RPG adventure in a massive 3-D world filled
with platform style action, two-fisted fighting,
challenging puzzles, and scores of enemies whose skills Musashi
can learn and use to his Advantage. Locate 5 powerful magical
Scrolls to conquer the twisted Thirstquencher Empire. Includes a
Collector's CD with a playable demo of Final Fantasy VIII.
Review
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The setting is 160 years ago, and a great tension is brewing
between two rival nations: the Yaquinik Kingdom and the LeCoir
Empire. The LeCoir Empire stages a surprise attack on the
Yaquinik Kingdom, with the intent to steal Reyd, the legendary
of light. Yaquinik was not prepared for such an encounter
and was, consequently, in great danger. At the moment of their
greatest distress, the supervisor of the kingdom decided it was
time for the "hero summoning." So 160 years after he had last
saved the world from complete destruction, Musashi was called
upon once more to serve the kingdom.
Musashi. Legendary warrior of ancient Japan. Originator of the Ni
TenIchi Ryu method of fighting. Philosopher. Samurai. Poet.
He's also the star of Square's new action/RPG, Brave Fencer
Musashi. Touted by some as Square's Zelda killer, Brave Fencer
Musashi is really a much different game. Sure, it's an action/RPG
in the sense that there's a lot of action, and there are RPG
elements in the game, but at its core, Brave Fencer is really
more of an action/platformer than anything else.
Imagine, if you will, a game that looks like a cross between
Klonoa and Gex: Enter the Gecko, and you'll have a fair
approximation of Brave Fencer's stylistic approach. The game is
made up of polygonal characters and fully 3D backgrounds. Some
backgrounds can be rotated 360 degrees, like when you're
exploring towns. Other times, the backgrounds remain fixed, so as
to let you concentrate on solving the matter at hand, and since
problem-solving is a main fixture in Brave Fencer, it becomes
apparent that lots of thought went into the design. Each level
has its own logical set of challenges that careful thinking will
solve every time. It's very rewarding to escape the perils of the
first few stages, which neatly sets the tone for the game.
Control in the game is very good. If you have a Dual Shock pad,
you'll be glad to know that Brave Fencer fully supports both
analog mode and Dual Shock vibrations. In an RPG of this nature,
it's fun to feel the hits and spell effects in action. However,
if you don't have a Dual Shock pad, digital control is just fine,
too. In any case, the L2 and R2 buttons control the camera angle,
while the square and triangle buttons perform such functions as
checking treasure chests, attacking, using the Book of Five
Rings, and reading signs. The X button is used for jumps, while
the circle button activates the "get in" technique. More on that
later. Lastly, the R1 button is used for blocking, which, if you
want to get anywhere in the game, must be used effectively or
else your numerous enemies will make quick work of you. Musashi,
when he has the appropriate equipment, can perform all sorts of
functions. For example, when you first start the game you must
embark on a mission to recover Lumina, Musashi's powerful
of Light. Additionally, when he finds a certain item, he'll be
able to climb rock walls using his two s.
One technique that gamers will find particularly useful is the
get-in technique. By holding down the block button, a gauge on
the side of the screen begins to fill. When the gauge is full,
you'll press the square button to throw Raikoumaru (your short
) in the direction you're facing. Assuming you threw it at
an enemy, once it hits he will be immobilized for a few seconds.
While your enemy is trapped in this attack, quickly press the
square button to absorb his power. Your enemy will disappear, and
you will have temporarily gained a new get-in attack, which can
be used, at the expense of BP points, by pressing the circle
button. Later in the game you will find different spell books.
Each book has different attributes, such as the Book of Earth,
which can cause earthquakes when properly powered up. Additional
techniques, like the Ni TenIchi Ryu Slash, may also be
learned as the game progresses. Each of these skills will become
necessary to overcome the increasingly difficult challenges the
game will provide. --James Mielke
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