Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors
Encyclopedia
Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors a hack and slash
action game
designed by From Software
. Otogi 2 was published by Sega
and was released for the Xbox
in 2003. It was released in the West the following year and is based on the legendary Raikoh, his four generals (Suetake, Kintoki, Tsuna, and Sadamitsu) and their guide, Seimei. Otogi 2 is the sequel to the original Otogi: Myth of Demons and has an evolved style of gameplay.
, and all lived during the Heian Period
in Japan
.
ran such a short review on Otogi 2, Dan Hsu, editor-in-chief of the publication, stated, "As good of a game Otogi 2 is, we still have to acknowledge that relatively few people want to read about it." The game is not compatible with the Xbox 360
.
Hack and slash
Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of pen-and-paper role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general...
action game
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
designed by From Software
From Software
is a Japanese video game company founded in November 1986 known primarily for being the developers of the Armored Core, Demon's Souls, King's Field, Otogi and Tenchu series.-Games:...
. Otogi 2 was published by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
and was released for the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
in 2003. It was released in the West the following year and is based on the legendary Raikoh, his four generals (Suetake, Kintoki, Tsuna, and Sadamitsu) and their guide, Seimei. Otogi 2 is the sequel to the original Otogi: Myth of Demons and has an evolved style of gameplay.
Gameplay
- You can choose to play as one of the six warriors (either Raikoh, Kintoki, Suetake, Sadamitsu, Tsuna, or Seimei).
- Each character has their own alternative weapons (everyone has three, except for Raikoh having 4) and their own three costumes (that you can unlock).
- Each character also has their own customizable spells as well, and certain higher level spells that only they can use.
- There are around 27 story stages, which also includes bonus stages.
Plot
Players assumed the role of Raikoh Minamoto, the undead warrior charged with the task of vanquishing the demonic infestation that plagued Japan's sacred capital. Continuing where the original left off, Otogi 2 puts players in the role of Raikoh, who is summoned once again to destroy the invading demons. This time however, he's not alone, and with the help of some new allies, Raikoh and his loyal followers will set out to destroy the demons once and for all and prevent darkness from consuming the world.Characters
- Raikoh - The legendary warrior known throughout ages. Raikoh wields a sacred sword passed down throughout many generations, known as the 'Soul Shrine'. When Seimei realized the danger that was opposed to the Holy Orb, she called upon the help of the legendary cunning warrior Raikoh. Raikoh vowed to forever protect the Capital while battling to the end with his four loyal retainers. With a high attack power and the highest magical defense in the game, he is a sturdy warrior with a balanced moveset, jump height and dash distance.
- Seimei - From the House of Void (Infinity). Seimei wields dual fans which are commonly known as 'Nature's Balance'. Throughout the Capital, Seimei wields the strongest of magic. Seimei acts as the divine instructor to Raikoh along with his retainers throughout the game (like the Princess did in the previous game). Seimei vowed to forever protect the Holy Orb, for the city shall fall if it gets into the hands of the demons. She possesses the highest magical attack and MP value in the game, along with grab moves and the second fastest and longest dash, making her a very defensive character.
- Kintoki - From the House of SuzakuSuzakuSuzaku may refer to:* Suzaku, the Japanese name for the Chinese Vermilion Bird , bird guardian of the South*Emperor Suzaku, emperor of Japan*SUZAK Inc., also known as Suzaku, a video game developer* Suzaku Avenue, one of the ancient main streets e.g...
(Red Phoenix). Kintoki wields a large axe as his main weapon, known as the 'Crimson Axe'. Kintoki, at some point, served under the Imperial Army and fought alongside his old friend, Masakado (the headless warrior). Kintoki is counted among as one of the four retainers under Raikoh, and has vowed to rid the capital of its evil. Kintoki is forced to strike down his old friend, Masakado who has turned evil. Kintoki fighting style is stout and strong, built heavily around his natural resilience. He may be slow, with the shortest jump and dash but have solid hits, along with the highest defense and HP value, along with some powerful grab moves.
- Sadamitsu - From the House of GenbuGenbuGenbu can refer to:* Black Tortoise, a Chinese constellation symbol* Genbu , a fictional character in the series YuYu Hakusho* Genbu , a fictional character in the series Fushigi Yūgi...
(Black Turtle). Sadamitsu wields a scytheScytheA scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass, or reaping crops. It was largely replaced by horse-drawn and then tractor machinery, but is still used in some areas of Europe and Asia. The Grim Reaper is often depicted carrying or wielding a scythe...
as her main weapon, known as Scourge. Sadamitsu was a very brave young girl and even left her home at a very young age to join the military forces at the Capital. After that Sadamitsu became one of the four famed retainers under Raikoh. Sadamitsu wields very powerful magic and excels when it comes to the element of ice. Sadamitsu is known for her swift speed and agile movement, making her a very mobile warrior. Her attack power and magic power are balanced and second lowest HP, but possesses the highest jump and longest dash, along with nice ranged attacks.
- Tsuna - From the House of ByakkoByakkoByakko may refer to:* White Tiger , one of the divisions in the sky in traditional Chinese astronomy* Byakko , an anthropomorphic white tiger demon character in YuYu Hakusho...
(White Tiger). Tsuna wields a double sided sword named 'Darkness'. Tsuna attained his weapon through merging his sword with his friend's who was slain by the Spider Clan. Tsuna later joined Raikoh becoming yet another one of his four famed retainers. Tsuna carries a very deep hatred towards the Spider Clan and has vowed to destroy every member. His ferocity is matched by few, as he can slay many opponents in a matter of seconds. He has the highest attack power in the game, along with a great radial attack range and good speed, jump and dash, but also the worst defensive values and low HP.
- Suetake - From the House of Sōryū (Blue Dragon). SeiryuSeiryuSeiryu, Seiryū, or Seiryuu can refer to:* Azure Dragon, a Chinese constellation symbol* Seiryu , a fictional character in the series YuYu Hakusho...
is more commonly used today over Sōryū although they mean the same thing. Suetake possesses strong honor - He gave up his life as a human to fuse his soul with a tree so he could forever protect the Capital. Suetake carries, as his weapon, a large wheel on what you could call his back named the 'Chaos Wheel'. Although this wheel sounds a bit useless, it can whip around Suetake at blinding speed, taking out every enemy unfortunate enough to cross his path. Suetake is counted as one of the most powerful sorcerers of the Capital, and as a very devoted warrior. His magical power is strong as Seimei's, with higher MP, but he moves very slow and has the lowest HP. He also has great ranged attacks, and can jump indefinitely.
Japanese mythology
The characters in Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors are based on the Japanese myth of Ooeyama, the sequel to Watanabe no TsunaWatanabe no Tsuna
' was a Japanese samurai, a retainer of Minamoto no Yorimitsu , one of the earliest samurai to be famed for his military exploits.-In Legend:...
, and all lived during the Heian Period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
- Minamoto no YorimitsuMinamoto no Yorimitsu, also known as Minamoto no Raikō, served the regents of the Fujiwara clan along with his brother Yorinobu, taking the violent measures the Fujiwara were themselves unable to take...
(Raikoh) - Son of Minamoto no MitsunakaMinamoto no Mitsunaka, son of Minamoto no Tsunemoto, was a samurai and Court official of Japan's Heian period. Mitsunaka belonged to the Seiwa Genji branch of the Minamoto clan, which traced its ancestry to Emperor Seiwa. He loyally served several successive Fujiwara regents beginning with Fujiwara no Morotada...
, he was a member of the Minamoto family under the Fujiwara clan and fought alongside his brother Minamoto no YorinobuMinamoto no Yorinobuwas a samurai commander and member of the powerful Minamoto clan. He was the son of Minamoto no Mitsunaka . Along with his brother Yorimitsu, Yorinobu served the regents of the Fujiwara clan, taking the violent measures the Fujiwara were themselves unable to take. He held the title, passed down...
, doing the 'dirty work' of the clan. In the myth of Ooeyama, he led the four generals listed below into combat.
- Abe no SeimeiAbe no Seimeiwas an onmyōji, a leading specialist of onmyōdō during the middle of the Heian Period in Japan. In addition to his prominence in history, he is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore and has been portrayed in a number of stories and films....
(Seimei) - An onmyoji (someone who practices onmyōdōOnmyodois a traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology, a mixture of natural science and occultism. It is based on the Chinese philosophies of Wu Xing and Yin and yang, introduced into Japan at the turn of the 6th century, and accepted as a practical system of divination...
) and a man despite many depictions, including this game's, that present him as a woman (Seimei is also presented as a woman in the survival-horror game Kuon also developed by From SoftwareFrom Softwareis a Japanese video game company founded in November 1986 known primarily for being the developers of the Armored Core, Demon's Souls, King's Field, Otogi and Tenchu series.-Games:...
). Seimei is from the House of the Void, representing onmyodo's usage of the yin and yang (specifically the yin, being darker and feminine as opposed to the lighter and masculine yang) as well as the Japanese five elementsFive elements (Japanese philosophy)One may encounter two kinds of five elements philosophy in Japan. One is called, in Japanese, gogyō , having its backgrounds in the Chinese five elements, and the other is called godai . Godai is usually regarded as a Buddhism term in Japan, with certain influences from Hinduism. The following...
' Kū (Void).
- Sakata no Kintoki (Kintoki), Usui SadamitsuUsui Sadamitsu' was a warrior of the mid-Heian period. His official name was '.According to Otogizōshi stories compiled several centuries later, Sadamitsu was a retainer of the Japanese legendary hero Minamoto no Raikō. Sadamitsu is known as one of The Four Guardian Kings under Raikō. Alternatively, in Konjaku...
(Sadamitsu), Watanabe no TsunaWatanabe no Tsuna' was a Japanese samurai, a retainer of Minamoto no Yorimitsu , one of the earliest samurai to be famed for his military exploits.-In Legend:...
(Tsuna), and Urabe no SuetakeUrabe no SuetakeUrabe no Suetake was a retainer of the legendary hero Minamoto no Yorimitsu , supposedly during the Heian period in 12th century Japan. Suetake assisted Raikō throughout his life, being referred to as one of The Four Guardian Kings under Raikō. Suetake originated from the House of Seiryū...
(Suetake) - The Four Guardian KingsThe Four Guardian KingsShitennō , a Japanese term normally referring to the Buddhist Four Heavenly Kings, is also applied to particularly famous or loyal retainers, in groups of four, to certain of Japan's most famous legendary and historical figures....
under Minamoto no YorimitsuMinamoto no Yorimitsu, also known as Minamoto no Raikō, served the regents of the Fujiwara clan along with his brother Yorinobu, taking the violent measures the Fujiwara were themselves unable to take...
(Raikoh) in the myth.
Reception
Otogi 2 was well-received by critics upon its release but was not very popular. Responding to a letter questioning why Electronic Gaming MonthlyElectronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
ran such a short review on Otogi 2, Dan Hsu, editor-in-chief of the publication, stated, "As good of a game Otogi 2 is, we still have to acknowledge that relatively few people want to read about it." The game is not compatible with the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
.