Devil Kings

Devil Kings
North American box art
Developer(s)	Capcom
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Designer(s)	Makoto Yamamoto (director) Makoto Tsuchibayashi (character design) Hiroyuki Kobayashi (producer)
Series	Sengoku Basara
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release date(s)	JP July 21, 2005 NA October 12, 2005 EU February 3, 2006
Genre(s)	Hack and slash, Action-adventure game
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	ESRB: T (Teen) PEGI: 12+
Media	1 DVD
Input methods	DualShock 2

Devil Kings, known in Japan as Sengoku Basara (戦国BASARA), is a video game for PlayStation 2 first published on July 21, 2005 by Capcom.

Visually similar to the Samurai Warriors series, Sengoku Basara takes place during the Sengoku Period, or Warring States Period, during which Japan was split into many minor states battling over power and land. The game features two historical warlords as the main characters: Sanada Yukimura and Date Masamune. Devil Kings' main character is the Devil King (Oda Nobunaga in Sengoku Basara).

Staff and cast

Staff

• Producer: Hiroyuki Kobayashi (Resident Evil 4)
• Character design: Makoto Tsuchibayashi (Devil May Cry)
• Theme song ("Crosswise") by T.M.Revolution (http://www.tm-revolution.com/)

Characters and actors

• Date Masamune (Azure Dragon): Kazuya Nakai/Kirby Morrow
• Sanada Yukimura (Scorpio): Sōichirō Hoshi/Andrew Francis
• Takeda Shingen (Red Minotaur): Tesshō Genda/Mark Gibbon
• Sarutobi Sasuke (Talon): Takehito Koyasu/David Orth
• Oda Nobunaga (Devil King): Norio Wakamoto/Gary Chalk
• Nōhime (Lady Butterfly): Yurika Hino/Kathleen Barr
• Mori Ranmaru (Hornet): Hiroki Shimowada/Cathy Weseluck
• Akechi Mitsuhide (Reaper): Shō Hayami/Peter Kelamis
• Uesugi Kenshin (Frost): Romi Park/Alessandro Juliani
• Kasuga (Venus): Natsuko Kuwatani/Venus Terzo
• Itsuki (Puff): Tomoko Kawakami/Janyse Jaud
• Zabi (Xavi, short for Xavier) (Q-Ball): Kōzō Shioya/Lee Tockar
• Maeda Toshiie (Lark): Tomohiro Tsuboi/Andrew Jackson
• Matsu (Bramble): Yūko Kaida/Tabitha St. Germain
• Shimazu Yoshihiro (Zaan): Kenichi Ogata/Paul Dobson
• Tokugawa Ieyasu (Irdine): Tōru Ōkawa/Jason Michas
• Mōri Motonari (Kahz): Shigeru Nakahara/Sam Vincent
• Chōsokabe Motochika (Arslan): Ryūzō Ishino/Ian James Corlett
• Hōjō Ujimasa (Orwik): Tadashi Miyazawa/Louis Chirillo
• Imagawa Yoshimoto (Muri): Kōzō Shioya/Brian Drummond

Localization

An extract from IGN.com interview with Capcom's Hiroyuki Kobayashi:

Kobayashi: In Japan, Devil Kings is called Sengoku Basara, and it focuses on Japanese history in the same sense that Dynasty Warriors focuses on Chinese history. So it's similar in that sense, but with a Capcom style, a Capcom flair to it. We took the concept, and said, "What can we do to differentiate this to make this different from the Dynasty Warriors games?" And we decided the secret maybe lay in some other games Capcom has done. We said, "Let's give the characters a kind of Devil May Cry flair -- some really cool moves, like the kind of things you might see in Devil May Cry. Let's the characters and make them all vastly and distinctly different from one another, like Street Fighter II." That's the Japanese version. Then, we said, "Okay, let's release it in North America -- what can we do to make it different again?" So we said, "Okay, we'll make it dark." Call it Devil Kings. The main character sold his soul to the devil. We'll darken up the background, give more moves, more ability to power your character up, and things like that for the American market.

IGN: Plus it's not historically accurate?

Kobayashi: The Japanese version of the game is based on Japanese history. There are some fantasy elements that didn't actually happen, of course, but enough of it is there. With the U.S. version, we've taken that element out entirely. Some of the backgrounds may retain that eastern flair. Many of them don't and are brand new; many of the enemies are brand new; and it's no longer based around the idea of feudal Japan at all. That part of the game has now been changed to be darker, devilish.

Some significant gameplay changes were made to the Western versions of the game. The difficulty levels were shifted to make the game more difficult, with Easy becoming the Japanese Normal, Normal becoming Japanese Hard and so on. Also, the fighting system was modified, adding an element called "Priming". One of the characters special attack was made the priming attack, and used that attack to "Prime" enemies making them more susceptible to damage and allowing for higher combo chains. Primed enemies are denoted by yellow health bars with circles around them (however, if the health bars are disabled, the circles remain). One's priming attack is somewhat weaker than their regular attacks.

Original characters

In Devil Kings, all Sengoku references are removed. However, there are some important references to Mexican history, as evidenced by the use of Spanish text in Q-Ball's stage.

Playable characters

Date Masamune

• Devil Kings name: Azure Dragon
• His element is lightning

The ruler of the Date clan known as the Dokuganryū (One-Eyed Dragon). He is a cocky, ambitious warlord whose mannerism is very close to Dante of Devil May Cry's fame. He also tends to speak in a mixture of English. Usually wields a single katana, but he can store and fight with six swords at once (three in each hand, held between the fingers). He is also depicted in a rivalry with Sanada Yukimura.

Masamune is one of five previous generals (the others are Sanada Yukimura, Maeda Keiji, Chōsokabe Motochika and Fūma Kotarō) in Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes to receive a three stage gaiden. His gaiden revolves around his elimination of Oda Nobunaga and his rivalry with Yukimura, though he does befriend him at some point.

Sanada Yukimura

• Devil Kings name: Scorpio
• His element is fire

One of the most distinguished warriors in the Sengoku Era who opposes Tokugawa Ieyasu to the end. Wields two jūmonji-yari, very hot-blooded and is fanatically loyal to Takeda Shingen. Also one of the main characters in Sengoku Basara. Is often depicted in a rivalry with Masamune and is a common "punching bag" for Takeda's unnecessary brawls, though he always looks at it as a test of strength.

In his gaiden in Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes, Yukimura receives "special" training from Shingen and gets Sasuke involved, though he doesn't approve of it. In the end, Yukimura succeeds and tries to hit Shingen with his 'new found strength', only to hit Sasuke and gets a punch to the face by Shingen, sending Yukimura flying away. Yukimura's gaiden can be looked as an introduction to Heroes' new features: the Daruma mini-game and the electric fence.

Sarutobi Sasuke

• Devil Kings name: Talon
• His element is darkness

A ninja in the service of Takeda clan (or to be exact the Sanada clan), counted as one of the Sanada Ten Braves. He is sneaky, cunning and laid back but has a big sense of responsibility when necessary. Is shown to have a friendly rivalry with the Uesugi army's ninja Kasuga, though the latter doesn't look at it that way. Wields two giant shuriken attached with invisible razorwire. He also summons a crow familiar to glide down.

Takeda Shingen

• Devil Kings name: Red Minotaur
• His element is fire

Leader of the Takeda clan, famous for its cavalry. Has a large, imposing frame and a brilliant mind as well. Wields a giant axe. Often starts large and unnecessary brawls with Yukimura, sometimes for no reason, usually by wrestling or exchanging names while punching each other at the face.

Uesugi Kenshin

• Devil Kings name: Frost
• His element is ice

Leader of the Uesugi clan, Takeda Shingen's rival as well as a devout monk to Bishamonten. He looks very feminine, but his accomplishments earned him the nickname "God of War". Wields a katana and uses a style seemingly based on iaijutsu (yet heavily stylized as he has great speed).

Kasuga

• Devil Kings name: Venus
• Her element is light

A fictional ninja serving the Uesugi clan. She fell in love with Uesugi Kenshin at first sight (while attempting to assassinate him, nonetheless) and became his most loyal ninja. She takes her duties seriously, and also makes rivalries with Nōhime (regarding on those they protect) and Sarutobi Sasuke (ninja rivalry, and the fact that their personalities contradict each other). Wields two small ringblades in Sarutobi Sasuke's style, but in Sengoku Basara 2, she wields eight kunai (four on each hand) tied with invisible razorwire. Like Sasuke, she can glide down using an owl familiar.

Oda Nobunaga

• Devil Kings name: Devil King
• His element is darkness

The first of the three unifiers. Nobunaga is much similar to his counterpart in Onimusha. He is ruthless and will stop at nothing until the world bows to his might. Wields a sword in one hand and a shotgun in the other.

Nōhime

• Devil Kings name: Lady Butterfly
• Her element is fire

Nobunaga's wife, who Nobunaga happens to not care very much for. Very devoted to him, although she shows no mercy to her enemies. Wields two handguns and is also able to unleash other types of guns such as a cannon, shotgun or gatling gun.

Mori Ranmaru

• Devil Kings name: Hornet
• His element is lightning

The young page of Oda Nobunaga. He eagerly desires recognition from his master and will fight eagerly for him. Wields a bow.

Akechi Mitsuhide

• Devil Kings name: Reaper
• His element is darkness

An Oda vassal who would eventually betray Nobunaga. Contrary to the usual portrayal of Mitsuhide (especially in Onimusha and Samurai Warriors), here he is depicted as a sadistic psychopath that enjoys the suffering of other people; possibly of a greater evil than Nobunaga himself. This is depicted as one of two characters who can hurt his allies, though they don't lose life. Wields two scythes. Devil Kings cut him from the game, making him an NPC instead.

Itsuki

• Devil Kings name: Puff
• Her element is ice

A fictional character representing the Ainu tribe from Hokkaidō. She leads a rebel group for the sake of the peasants suffering due to war. She has a special taskforce wearing pink vests called the "Itsuki Fans Club" in Sengoku Basara 2. In Devil Kings, she speaks with a Southern United States accent. Wields a giant hammer.

Zabii/Xavi

• Devil Kings name: Q-Ball
• His element is fire

Based on the Christian missionary Francis Xavier. Zabii is a missionary whose intention is to spread the love of God in Japan. Very proficient with machinery; his stronghold contains traps and mechanical drones (bearing resemblance to himself and dubbed the Mecha-Q's in Devil King). An inside joke is that his angels resemble miniature versions of himself with curly hair and appear whenever he wants them. In Devil Kings, he speaks with what seems to be an Italian accent. Wields two hand cannons.

Maeda Toshiie

• Devil Kings name: Lark
• His element is fire

Another of Oda's most prominent vassals, though he doesn't seem so in the game. A strong family man, he loves his wife Matsu (and adopted nephew Keiji in Sengoku Basara 2) dearly but he doesn't have much for brains and seems to be perpetually famished, often asking Matsu for more food, even though he's had enough. He is also the usual target of Keiji's pranks which often lead him to chase Keiji around the house. Wields a trident. He was also cut in Devil Kingss.

Matsu

• Devil Kings name: Bramble
• Her element is wind

Wife of Maeda Toshiie. She's more responsible than her husband but still loves him whole-heartedly. Due to her characteristics, fans call her "the ideal housewife". Has a unique ability to summon animals. Wields a katana in Uesugi Kenshin's style, but in Sengoku Basara 2, she wields a naginata.

Shimazu Yoshihiro

• Devil Kings name: Zaan
• His element is lightning

The daimyo of Satsuma. Although old, he is a great warrior who is not to be underestimated. He is also known for his impeccable ambush parties. He is the desired target of Honda Tadakatsu. Wields a broad sword. He was cut in Devil Kings.

Honda Tadakatsu

• Devil Kings name: Iron Ox
• His element is lightning

One of the greatest generals under Tokugawa Ieyasu. A giant man clad in armor, possessing great strength in each of his blows. For some reason, he resembles a giant robot, which he may be in the game. He also cannot talk, so fans don't know what he is thinking unless they can translate the noises he makes, written as lengths of exclamation points. Due to his size, nature and his abilities, fans often call him Hondam and for good reason. Wields a huge drill-spear.

Non-playable characters

Tokugawa Ieyasu

• Devil Kings name: Irdene
• His element is lightning

The third of the Three Unifiers. Although small in size, he makes it up with his trust over his generals as well as his control over his most prized general (or creation), Honda Tadakatsu. Wields a bladed staff in Maeda Toshiie's style. In Sengoku Basara 2, Honda Tadakatsu's Story Mode has Ieyasu being kidnapped again and again by the other characters (in fact, usually in front of Tadakatsu just after he has saved Ieyasu from the previous kidnapping), which results in Tadakatsu going on various journeys to rescue him, this is sometimes credited to Ieyasu's experience of being a hostage of Imagawa when he goes by the name Matsudaira Takechiyo (he is referred as Takechiyo in Tadakatsu's story mode). He is playable in Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes; his Basara includes summoning Tadakatsu to the field and have him perform his Basara. Sengoku Basara 3 had his design revamped into an older and taller version of himself and fights with brass knuckles.

Chōsokabe Motochika

• Devil Kings name: Arslan
• His element is fire

Daimyo of Shikoku. He was called "Little Princess" in his childhood, but earns himself the nickname of "Demon" later in life. Rules over the sea. His fortress has a cannon which repels his opponents and several mechanical machines. His crew often call him "aniki" (brother). He become playable in Sengoku Basara 2. He wields a long anchor-like spear that is respectively equipped with a metal chain, which he uses as both his weapon and his mode of land transportation. He speaks with a Romanian accent in Devil Kings. In Tadakatsu's Story Mode in Sengoku Basara 2, Motochika is included as one of Ieyasu's kidnappers. Ironically, in Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes, he ends up forming a friendly rivalry with Ieyasu. Motochika appears within many variable conflicts as a supposed rival to Mōri Motonari.

Mōri Motonari

• Devil Kings name: Kahz
• His element is light

Daimyo of Chūgoku. Known as 'the Great Motonari' for possessing a great tactical mind, but thinks very little of his subordinates and sees them as disposable pawns. He, like Mitsuhide, can hit his allies with his weapon. He becomes playable in Sengoku Basara 2. In Sengoku Basara, he uses a saihai in Kenshin's style. In Sengoku Basara 2, he wields a ringblade, which he can separate to become twin blades. He has a habit of watching sunset; his Basara includes creating his own sun draining his enemies' life. He is depicted as the rival of Chōsokabe Motochika. In his Story in Sengoku Basara 2, he confronts and taunts Motochika for being always protected by his pirate "brothers", and Motochika asks if he (i.e. Motonari) was always alone. Motonari replies that he only needs one person to understand him - himself.

Hōjō Ujimasa

• Devil Kings name: Orwik
• His element is ice

Head of the Hōjō clan. Mostly known for his impressive castle, Odawara, and his defensive stance towards the brewing war. Wields a multi-bladed spear (he used to have Maeda Toshiie's style, but was given his own style in Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes). He honors his ancestors wholeheartedly as well, though in Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes, where he becomes playable, he is shown to be scared at his ancestors' wrath, as his Basara involves him being scared to hell when the spirits of the ancestors comes in and he ends up crawling throughout the battlefield, with his ancestors following him and damaging the enemies that comes in contact.

Imagawa Yoshimoto

• Devil Kings name: Muri
• His element is light

Daimyo of Suruga; childish and cowardly but will fight when ultimately cornered. His lack of resolve costs his soldiers to lose heart multiple times while still in battle (i.e. his soldiers fall to the ground and can be killed in one single hit), though his occasional bursts of courage would enable them to get back on their feet - until the next time he panics again, that is. In Sengoku Basara 2, he confuses his enemies by promoting his head archers to his rank, thus confusing the player to where he really is. Wields a giant fan. He is playable in Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes; his Basara involves him disco dancing with dance lights shown, and him getting his head smashed by the disco ball and tripping in the end.

Sequels

Two sequels, Sengoku Basara 2 and Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes, have been released in Japan. A 2D fighting game spinoff, Sengoku Basara X, has also been released. The newest title to the franchise is Sengoku Basara Battle Heroes, developed exclusively for the PlayStation Portable released on April 2009. Sengoku Basara 3 has been announced for the Wii and PS3 and is slated for a 2010 release.^[1]

References

External links

• Official Sengoku Basara Website (Japanese)
• Sengoku Basara Anime Official Website (Japanese)
• KOEI Warriors - More Sengoku Basara series Information, Walkthrough, Soundtracks, Trailers, etc...