A Japanese Legend Travels West

Since its inception in 2005, the Sengoku Basara series has been a massive hit in Japan. Its diverse cast, frenzied action, and colorful take on Japanese history have spawned a wealth of sequels, anime, manga, and even a recurring live action play. So why haven’t you heard of this influential series until now? Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes, the next generation entry in the series, is the first game in the franchise hitting the U.S. market.

Destined for the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes is a single-player action game set in 16th century Japan. The fast-paced combat of Sengoku Basara is not unlike one of producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi’s previous titles, Devil May Cry 4, but I found a little more in common with Dynasty Warriors. Players take on the role of one of a dozen charismatic Japanese leaders, plowing through droves of enemy soldiers while jamming the attack button. With the masses of foes rushing your character, an onscreen combo tracker, constant character banter, and flurry of intricate sword slashes, Sengoku Basara looks very intimidating at first glance. After some hands-on time, however, I discovered why this game is such a huge success in the East.

Regardless of which hero you choose, the accessible controls remain the same. Players mash away on a basic attack button while throwing in three other special moves. Cutting down waves of ancient Japanese infantry fills two onscreen gauges. One is Hero Time, which stops time when activated, allowing for brief respite from the constant chaos, and an opportunity to slay frozen foes. The other gauge is for Basara Art, which unleashes the character’s ultimate, crowd-clearing attack. After just a few minutes with the controls you’ll feel like a Sengoku warlord.

Speaking of warlords, the main heroes of Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes come is four flavors. Ieyasu Tokugawa is the yellow-clad brawler who uses his powerful gauntlets to chain together timed combos in an effort to unite Japan. Hailing from the west, the brooding Mitsunari Ishida unleashes a purple typhoon of sword slashes upon his rival Ieyasu’s army, killing hundreds before his foes even realize he’s drawn his katana. Masamune Date, the fierce rival of Mitsunari, clutches six deadly blades between his knuckles, resulting in terrifying blue claws of death. Finally, there’s the yellow-hued Yukimura Sanada, the sworn enemy of Ieyasu, who creates wide arcs of devastation on the battlefield with his dual spears. Though only four members of the large cast have been revealed, the title’s gameplay variety is evident.

I spent most of my time with Ieyasu and Mitsunari, two fighters with very different attack styles. Players execute carefully timed button presses to chain together the supreme commander Ieyasu’s slow yet devastating punches, while pressing an analog stick to steer the tornado of fists. Mastering Ieyasu’s chained attacks is manageable within minutes. Once players nail the basics, peppering special moves such as a running dash and ground pound is a snap. Should a stray enemy threaten to strike a blind spot, a quick tap of the left shoulder button blocks attacks. What Ieyasu lacks in speed he more than makes up for in sheer might.

Mitsunari is Ieyasu’s polar opposite. Quick on his feet and with a blade, this samurai practices a sword technique which requires him to re-sheath after each attack. When his weapon is out, flashes of purple tear across the screen. He is so slick, in fact, that his blade continues to rend enemies even when he turns to a new target. Unlike Ieyasu, Mitsunari’s edge in combat comes from harassing the enemy with a constant flurry of slashes and never allowing them a moment of respite. Mitsunari is the clear winner in terms of coolness, and his fighting style is a good fit for novice players who want results by mashing buttons.

No matter which hero you play, one word describes the overall gameplay of Sengoku Basara; fun. Nonstop action, crisp visuals, and undemanding controls hit that sweet spot between mindless fun and light strategy. Players must capture enemy camps to summon support troops, evade stalking juggernauts throughout large levels, and battle rival heroes while listening to unintentionally hilarious voice acting (e.g. “I bring you a gift, Ieyasu…the gift of death!”). Even without the series’ deep character progression present in the demo (Capcom says it’s on the way), Sengoku Basara still offers a deep well of entertainment. There’s also good news for Wii owners, as the game plays identically across PS3 and Wii, with only the graphics taking a hit on Nintendo’s console. You’re going to want a Classic Controller Pro, though.

What may cause Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes to stumble outside Japan is its immersion in the country’s lore and looming repetitiveness. Producer Kobayashi insists this is a fantastical take on Japanese history for gamers who care about the country’s legends. I fear this demographic may be too niche for the series to replicate its success back home. The story and characters may simply be too ridiculous to ignore for some. Additionally, despite offering dozens upon dozens of gameplay hours across a ton of main characters, Samurai Heroes’ core mechanic may grow tiresome for those uninterested by level progression and upgrading weapons.

I approached Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes with no knowledge of the series, and put down the controller feeling like an expert. PlayStation 3 and Wii owners alike should keep their eyes on this fun new title as its Fall 2010 release approaches.