24 November 1995 Saturday
Wataru had just returned home and earlier today, he picked up the latest batch of ZAGE games released this month. He let out a long sigh. "Damn, ZAGE keeps pumping out new games every single month! How am I supposed to buy them all?" Wataru groaned. Now a college student, he had always been a huge fan of ZAGE titles. The problem was, ZAGE's output was relentless—releasing two to three high-quality games every month. Even though he wanted to get them all, he had to skip the PC versions because he simply didn't have enough money to afford everything.
And right now, he had already picked up the newest ZEPS 2 releases: Rurouni Kenshin, Hello! Pac-Man, and Cybernator. It was an exciting haul—each game offering something fresh. Rurouni Kenshin promised an immersive samurai RPG experience, Hello! Pac-Man reimagined the classic arcade icon as a platformer, and Cybernator brought adrenaline-fueled mech battles to his living room. For a die-hard ZAGE fan like Wataru, this month's lineup was nothing short of a jackpot.
He was especially excited to play Hello! Pac-Man, a bold reimagining of the classic arcade icon as a platformer rather than the traditional maze-chase format. As for Cybernator, his love for mecha games guaranteed he'd have a blast piloting massive war machines into battle. But the game that thrilled him the most was Rurouni Kenshin—the newest ZAGE JRPG.
Wataru grinned as he admired the cover art—a fierce-looking samurai holding his blade, a bold X-shaped scar marking his cheek. "Whoa, is this guy the protagonist?" he asked himself, eyes gleaming with excitement. Eagerly, he tore open the package. As expected, it contained four items: the game cartridge, a detailed game manual, a promotional flyer titled "ZEPS 2 Wow!" showcasing other ZAGE titles for the console, and as usual black Z coins. His excitement surged—he loved the ritual of unboxing a new ZAGE game almost as much as playing it.
Wataru quickly slid the cartridge into his ZEPS 2 and powered it on. The game booted up with a satisfying chime, and the screen transitioned almost immediately into the opening cinematic.
"The year is 1864… The Bakumatsu era nears its bloody end.
Samurai clash in the shadows, fighting to decide the fate of Japan.
Amidst this chaos, a young swordsman rises… feared by all, known only as the 'Hitokiri Battōsai.'
His blade is said to strike faster than lightning, his eyes cold as steel.
This is his story before he became a wanderer…"
Image fades in: A lone figure with blood-red eyes, katana drawn, standing among fallen enemies beneath a sky ablaze with fire. The wind howls through the ruins as embers rain down. The screen then shifts to a wide view of a city engulfed in flames, buildings collapsing in the distance, while chaos reigns in the streets—men clashing with blades and fire, a brutal war consuming everything in its path.
[Ally Rebel Soldier]: "Battōsai! The Shogunate forces are closing in—we need your blade!"
[Battōsai Kenshin]: (expressionless) "I will clear the path. Stand back."
Screen shifts to player control of Battōsai Kenshin.
The game shifted into a turn-based battle sequence featuring Battōsai surrounded by approximately nine Shogunate soldiers, each ready to strike. The tension was palpable as the screen filled with dramatic animations and battle-ready stances.
Then the game stopped showing tutorials. As usual, there were Attack, Defend, Skills, and Item sections. Since Wataru was already used to JRPGs, he knew exactly what to do. Himura Battosai had 490 Health and 120 Energy, and when Wataru looked at the skills, he shouted, "WHOA! Already this much!?" He grinned as the music blasted. "Heh, ZAGE music never disappoints!"
The Skill List are Shows Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu
Hitten mitsurugi Ryu = Ryu Kan Sen (AOE Spinning Attack) - 5 EnergyHitten Mitsurugi Ryu = Ryu Tsui Sen (Jumping Attack - Stun one Enemy for long time) - 5 EnergyHitten Mitsurugi Ryu = Ryu Shou Sen (Rising attack that stun multiple enemy for while) - 5 EnergyHitten Mitsurugi Ryu = Ryu Sou Sen (Multiple strike attack for one enemy with high chane of critical attack) 5 EnergyHitten Mitsurugi Ryu = Do Ryu Sen (A long range strike that attack adjacent enemy) 5 Energy(SPECIAL) Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu = Ku Zu Ryu Sen (Special attack that hit enemy with heavy damage) 20 EnergySheer Focus = Buff (Make Next Attack Deal More Damage) 5 EnergySwift Movement = Buff (Increase Evasion) 5 Energy
Wataru was stunned to see so many powerful skills available right at the start of the game. Without hesitation, he selected Ryu Kan Sen. Himura Battōsai dashed into the center of the enemy formation and began to spin—his blade slicing through the air with incredible speed. Blood sprayed across the battlefield as every enemy fell in an instant.
Wataru's eyes widened in shock. "Whoa! A one-hit attack?!" he exclaimed, both thrilled and impressed.
Wataru then entered the overworld section, navigating the area freely as he explored towns, paths, and hidden corners. Along the way, he encountered random battles—typical JRPG fare. After a few encounters, he ran into a new type of enemy: one wielding a shield. The game revealed that these enemies would only take minimal damage unless they were stunned first, making it clear that tactical play was necessary to break their defenses.
Wataru continued playing until he faced the first major challenge of the game—Saitō Hajime. This battle marked a noticeable increase in difficulty. Saitō wielded a thrusting sword style that dealt heavy damage, forcing Wataru to adapt. He couldn't simply rely on spamming attacks anymore. Instead, he had to strategically buff with Swift Movement and carefully guard whenever Saitō prepared his signature moves. After a tense and tactical showdown, Wataru finally managed to defeat him. A cutscene played, showing Himura Battōsai walking away silently. Then, the screen faded to black with the words: "Prologue End."
Then, suddenly, the game's tone shifted. The harsh drums of battle gave way to the calm breeze of a sunlit morning. Himura Battōsai was seen walking casually through a peaceful landscape, his posture relaxed, his sword sheathed. The scene conveyed a sense of calm after chaos. Then, text from the narrator appeared onscreen
"The war is over. The Shogunate has fallen. Japan now stands in a new era… The Meiji Era.
The Hitokiri Battōsai has vanished, leaving behind only whispers of fear.
In his place, a wanderer with a reverse-blade sword walks a path of atonement…"
Wataru then took control of Battōsai and approached a nearby NPC. As they spoke, a short dialogue sequence unfolded
"Do you know! Hittokiri Battosai are still Roaming the land!"
"Im so scared hopefully i never met him!"
Wataru blinked in confusion. "Wait… aren't I Himura Battōsai?" he muttered. Chuckling to himself, he continued playing. Then, without warning, a vibrant 16-bit cutscene was triggered.
Inside the Kamiya Ryū dojo, a woman was seen tending to a thug sprawled on the floor, offering him comfort. The tension in the room was thick—until suddenly, bold text appeared on the screen:
[Kaoru]: "I am the master of this dojo! I will not allow you to disgrace my father's style with murder!"
[Thug]: "Ha! The so-called 'Kamiya Kasshin Ryū' is a joke. We fight for blood, not peace!"
Suddenly, Battōsai intervened, and another battle began—but this time, something was different. Instead of "Himura Battōsai," the main character's name had changed to "Himura Kenshin."
Wataru's eyes widened in surprise. The new stats were dramatically lower, and even the tone felt different. Grinning, he murmured, "Ah, so this is the real beginning." At this point, Kenshin only had a single attack skill: So Ryu Sen. Wataru selected it, and Kenshin leapt forward, striking the enemy with the back of his reversed blade. The enemy was stunned, and Kenshin quickly dispatched the thug. Wataru raised an eyebrow. "Wait—the blood is gone."
After the battle, the thug fled, and Kaoru turned to the mysterious swordsman.
[Kaoru]: "You… who are you? That sword—are you perhaps the Hitokiri Battōsai?!"
Kenshin's sprite appeared comically surprised. "I'm not, miss," he replied, lifting his sword. "This is a reverse-blade sword. It's only for protection. I can't kill with this… I'm just a Rurouni."
[Kaoru]: "I see. Well, do you have a place to stay? We could use someone strong like you, mister."
Kenshin smiled and nodded. "It would be a pleasure, Miss." From that point on, the Kamiya Kasshin Ryū dojo became the central hub of the game.
Then Wataru grinned. "I see… so Himura Battōsai becomes Himura Kenshin. He's trying to atone for his past—how interesting. And now that he's Kenshin, the game doesn't show as much blood. That must mean he no longer kills his enemies. Hehehe… what a clever design!"
Wataru was genuinely intrigued and kept playing, eyes glued to the screen. "Still, I'm curious—what made Himura Battōsai want to atone? I can't wait to find out!"
Then he continue to play the game.
To be continue
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