Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes

From the wonderful masterminds of _Resident Evil_ and _Street Fighter_ comes another excellent franchise, _Sengoku Basara_. The latest instalment in the series, _Samurai Heroes_, seems to have slipped under the ‘new release’ radar but fans of the series have been waiting eagerly for it to reach the UK for months and it does not disappoint.

So, with all the games out there, what makes Samurai Heroes so great? To put it simply, everything about the game is unbelievably awesome and ‘manly’, a word that I find myself using a lot when describing it.

The _Sengoku Basara_ series is set in Japan during the Sengoku period, the time of the warring states, in which powerful warlords are fighting to gain control over Japan. Many of the playable characters are based on actual historical figures of that period, and I use ‘based’ loosely as they are rather inaccurate. One look at their costumes and oversized weapons will tell you that.

If you are looking for a video game that is historically accurate, you will not find it in _Samurai Heroes_ but this is definitely not a bad thing. Historic detail and physics take a backseat in favour of raw manliness and testosterone-fuelled action.

The game play itself is not very difficult to get your head around and the graphics are pretty impressive, the opening movie being on par with _Final Fantasy XIII_ for special effects and character designs. You can choose from sixteen playable characters, although half of these will need unlocking, who each have their own story to complete in ‘heroes’ story’ mode. You can also just have a quick bash about in ‘quick battle’ mode if you do not want to be tied down by the plot.

Each character has their own back-story and you must engage in a series of events, spreading over four chapters and about thirty battles, to complete them. Depending on what you route you choose, you can unlock new battle locations, cut scenes and change the final outcome for your character. The aim is relatively simple; occupy camps, defeat mini-bosses and complete in-game missions to reach the boss and progress with the story. There is also one level, my personal favourite, where you take part in a ridiculous horse race. Although it might sound like this formula would get repetitive quickly, there are so many different locations and characters to battle that there is always something new to do.

There is also a two-player function, so even more reason to get your housemates playing as well! Sadly, you cannot fight your friends but take part in campaigns together.

So far, this might all sound normal but what sets _Samurai Heroes_ apart from other games is its characters and their ridiculous combat skills. Their weapons of choice range from giant anchors to wrecking balls and, of course, they have no problem carrying them and executing deadly moves. One look at the game’s cover will tell you this, as one blow from a sword knocks about ten men into the air and KO’s them instantly. All characters have a range of signature moves, my personal favourite being Motochika Chosokabe’s, who summons a giant fishing net out of nowhere, leaving your enemies swinging helpless from an invisible ceiling as you pummel them senseless. Other characters, such as Date Masamune, prove that eye patches are far from a handicap. If anything, they just make you stronger.

The game is not without its faults, however. The AI is rather non-existent on easy and normal mode and then jumps dramatically on hard, which means your ally might be little help in battle. The transition from Japanese to English language leaves a lot to be desired in some places and there is no option to change the language. The English dub relies heavily on gross stereotypes, with the villains sounding very British and the pirates say ‘aye, aye, me hearties’. Fans of the original series will be disappointed that a lot of the signature catchphrases have been lost through translation but, fortunately, the main characters retain their macho-sounding voices for the most part.

_Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes_ is the game for you if you are looking for something completely over-the-top and action-packed. You will often have to suspend disbelief but, providing you do not mind the rules of physics being broken on multiple occasions, it is impossible not to enjoy. While you’re at it, check out the anime , which is now out on DVD and, before you know it, you will be hooked on the Sengoku Basara series.