is a 2008
action-adventure
An action-adventure game is a video game genre, video game hybrid genre that combines core elements from both the action game and adventure game genres.
Definition
An action adventure game can be defined as a game with a mix of elements f ...
video game
A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...
developed and published by
Sega
is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises for arcade game, arcades and video game cons ...
for the
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). It is the successor to the PlayStation 2, and both are part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. The PS3 was first released on ...
.
It is a ''
jidaigeki
is a genre of film, television, and theatre in Japan. Literally meaning "historical drama, period dramas", it refers to stories that take place before the Meiji Restoration of 1868.
''Jidaigeki'' show the lives of the samurai, farmers, crafts ...
''-themed spin-off game in the ''
Like a Dragon
, formerly known outside of Japan as ''Yakuza'', is a video game franchise by Sega. It incorporates elements of the action-adventure, beat 'em up, and role-playing genres.
Each installment is typically a crime drama, with plot lines inspired ...
'' series. It was unveiled at the
Tokyo Game Show
, commonly known as TGS, is a video game trade fair and convention held annually in September in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publication ...
2007 and released exclusively in Japan on March 6, 2008.
''Kenzan!'' is a dramatic telling of the life of the historical figure
Miyamoto Musashi
, was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, artist, and writer who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 62 duels. Miyamoto is considered a ''Kensei (honorary title), kensei'' (swo ...
, who retired and adopted a new identity, but is later drawn into a new conflict where he must hunt down an imposter using his namesake. A second ''Like a Dragon'' series spin-off set in samurai era, ''
Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!'', was released in 2014 on both the PlayStation 3 and the
PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America, November 29, 2013, in ...
systems, though ''Ishin!'' is set two centuries later than ''Kenzan!'' and is not considered a narrative sequel.
Gameplay
''Kenzan''s gameplay utilizes a similar combat system as ''Yakuza'' and ''Yakuza 2'', with little change and innovation, except for the new item storage system which allows access to an unlimited number of items from savepoints.
[Famitsu Article](_blank)
There are four fighting styles in the game; fists, one blade, two blades and
two-handed blades. There are also
QTE-based special moves that the player can execute, known as "heat actions".
Plot
Setting and characters
''Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan!'' is set in
Kyoto
Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
during the
Edo period
The , also known as the , is the period between 1600 or 1603 and 1868 in the history of Japan, when the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and some 300 regional ''daimyo'', or feudal lords. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengok ...
, in 1605. It is an account of the life of
Miyamoto Musashi
, was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, artist, and writer who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 62 duels. Miyamoto is considered a ''Kensei (honorary title), kensei'' (swo ...
(
Takaya Kuroda
is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Tokyo, Japan. He is affiliated with Axlone, and was formerly with Mausu Promotion and 81 Produce.
He is best known for his bass voice, which has usually seen him cast in villainous roles such as the vo ...
), who resides in the
Gion
is a district of Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan, originating as an entertainment district in the Sengoku period, in front of Yasaka Shrine (Gion Shrine). The district was built to accommodate the needs of travellers and visitors to the shrine. ...
district using the alias
Kiryu Kazumanosuke. Kiryu is forced out of retirement when a young girl,
Haruka (
Rie Kugimiya
is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She is best known for her voice performances in anime, which include Alphonse Elric in the '' Fullmetal Alchemist'' series, Kagura in '' Gintama'', and Happy in '' Fairy Tail'' and '' Edens Zero'', and ...
), requests him to kill an imposter using his old namesake.
Major characters in the game include:
Itō Ittōsai
, was a Japanese swordsman, originally named Itō Yagorō. He is attributed as the founder of the Ittō-ryū ("one sword" or "one stroke") school of kenjutsu, sword fighting.
According to legend, he floated across the Sagami Bay on a piece of ...
(
Susumu Terajima
is a Japanese actor. Though he has played a wide range of characters, he is perhaps best known for his portrayal of ''yakuza'' figures, most notably in the films of Takeshi Kitano.
Terajima made his acting debut in 1986's '' A Homansu''. He ...
), Kiryu's friend and a bodyguard of the Tsuruya brothel; Yoshino (
Aya Hisakawa
is a Japanese voice actress and singer. In addition to releasing various solo CDs, Hisakawa is well known for her voice roles in anime and video games. Some of her major roles are Retsu Unohana in ''Bleach'', Sailor Mercury in ''Sailor Moon'', S ...
), a courtesan acquainted with Kiryu who works at Tsuruya;
Marume Nagayoshi (
Naoto Takenaka
is a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, and director from Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, affiliated with From First Production. He is married to idol singer and actress Midori Kinouchi. He is also known as the voice of Samuel L. ...
), the General of the
Tokugawa Clan
The is a Japanese dynasty which produced the Tokugawa shoguns who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868 during the Edo period. It was formerly a powerful ''daimyō'' family. They nominally descended from Emperor Seiwa (850–880) and were a branch of ...
's army; Nankobo Tenkai (
Kenji Utsumi
was a Japanese actor and voice actor from Kitakyushu, affiliated with the self-founded Ken Production.
He was best known for his roles in ''Sally the Witch (1966)'' (as Sally's Papa), ''Fist of the North Star'' (as Raoh and Kaioh), '' Dr. Sl ...
), the emissary of the Shogunate Administration;
Majima Gorohachi (
Hidenari Ugaki
is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He is currently affiliated with 81 Produce. He is best known for his roles as Argo Gulskii in ''Mobile Fighter G Gundam'', Donatello in the TV Tokyo edition of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', Kaminari-san ...
), a notorious swordsman in the Tokugawa army;
Sasaki Kojirō
was a Japanese swordsman who may have lived during the Azuchi–Momoyama and early Edo periods and is known primarily for the story of his duel with Miyamoto Musashi in 1612, where Sasaki was killed. Although suffering from defeat as wel ...
(
Shota Matsuda
is a Japanese actor. Matsuda is best known for his roles in the Hana Yori Dango (TV series), ''Hana Yori Dango'' series, the Liar Game (2007 TV series), ''Liar Game'' series, and ''Love Shuffle''.
Personal life
Matsuda was born on September 10, ...
), a swordsman who rebels against the Tokugawa
Bakufu
, officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, except during parts of the Kamak ...
;
Yagyū Sekishusai (
Hiroki Matsukata
, better known by his stage name , was a Japanese actor. He was the son of ''jidaigeki'' actor Jūshirō Konoe and actress Yaeko Mizukawa and has a younger brother, Yūki Meguro, who is also an actor. With ex-wife actress Akiko Nishina he had ...
), a mysterious monk who aids Kiryu in his quest;
Hon'ami Kōetsu (
Yoshiaki Fujiwara
is a Japanese professional wrestler, trainer and wrestling promoter. He is famous for his long career in wrestling, having worked in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE (ZERO-ONE), and the two incarnations of shoot style pro ...
), a famous painter who also operates as an information broker; Yoshioka Seijuro (
Masaya Kato
is a Japanese actor from Nara in the Kansai region.
Life and career
He is currently attached to Burning Production. He stands at 183 centimeters. He practices martial arts and performs his own stunts in movies.
Filmography
Films
*1988: ''Shir ...
) and Yoshioka Denshichiro (
Taiki Matsuno
, (October 16, 1967 – June 26, 2024) was a Japanese actor and voice actor from Shinagawa, Tokyo. He was attached to Aoni Production. His real name, as well as his former stage name, was Tatsuya Matsuno (). Matsuno is most known for the role of ...
), masters of the famed Yoshioka Dojo; Gion Toji (
Takashi Tsukamoto
is a Japanese actor, singer, and model.
Music career
Tsukamoto has released three single CDs: "Itsudemo Boku wa" (いつでも僕は, Anytime I am...), "Hitorigoto" (ヒ・ト・リ・ゴ・ト, Soliloquy), "New Morning".
Film career
Tsukam ...
) and Ueda Ryohei (
Hisao Egawa
is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo who works for Aoni Production. Egawa is most known for the roles of Shin'ichi Maki in ''Slam Dunk'', Geki Kuroiwa in '' Brave Command Dagwon'', Geki Hyūma and Goldymarg in ''The King of Braves GaoGaiGar'', Og ...
), students of the Yoshioka Dojo;
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu (born Matsudaira Takechiyo; 31 January 1543 – 1 June 1616) was the founder and first ''shōgun'' of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, which ruled from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was the third of the three "Gr ...
(
Osamu Saka
is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He is affiliated with Aoni Production.
Filmography
Anime series
;1960s
*'' Gigantor'' (1963) – Gavan
*'' Kamui the Ninja'' (1969) – Sukumi
;1970s
*'' Andersen Stories'' – King Neptune
*''Space Battle ...
), the first Tokugawa shogun of Japan; and
Tokugawa Hidetada
was the second ''shōgun'' of the Tokugawa dynasty, who ruled from 1605 until his abdication in 1623. He was the third son of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Early life (1579–1593)
Tokugawa Hidetada was born to Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Lady Saigō on May ...
(
Masaya Onosaka
is a Japanese voice actor who works for Aoni Production. In 2010 he won the "Best Personality" Seiyu Award.
Onosaka was born in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka. He is known for his Kansai accent in some of his roles. He is the known dub actor of Zhao Yu ...
), Ieyasu's third-born son who became shogun following the former's retirement.
Synopsis
In 1600, the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi is requested by General Marume Nagayoshi to aid
the imminent battle at Sekigahara, between the armies of the Tokugawa and Toyotomi clans. The night before the battle, Miyamoto is assigned to assassinate a traitor within the Tokugawa clan's army, with the help of fellow soldier
Majima Gorohachi. After carrying out the task, Miyamoto learns that his target was actually
Yūki Hideyasu
was a Japanese samurai who lived during the Azuchi–Momoyama period, Azuchi–Momoyama and early Edo periods. He was the ''daimyō'' of Fukui Domain in Echizen Province, Echizen.
Early life
Hideyasu was born as in 1574, the second son of To ...
, the heir to the Tokugawa clan. Both Miyamoto and Majima escape, and later reunite with Marume, though he betrays them. Both men are also attacked by a platoon of soldiers led by Sasaki Kojirō, who bests them in combat. Nevertheless, the pair manage to escape Sasaki and Marume.
Many days later, Miyamoto and Majima are attacked once more by Tokugawa soldiers, but Majima seemingly sacrifices himself to allow Miyamoto to escape. Miyamoto takes Majima's sword to his village, and meets with his adopted sister, Ukiyo. The former learns that Majima was not Ukiyo's brother, but rather the murderer of her father, but Majima had taken up the duty of protecting Ukiyo and her village as penance for his sin. Miyamoto decides to give up his old life and stay with Ukiyo. A year later, bounty hunters arrive at the village looking for Majima, but recognize Miyamoto and fight him. Despite his efforts, Miyamoto is unable to prevent the hunters from fatally wounding Ukiyo. Miyamoto leaves behind one of his swords at Ukiyo's grave, then leaves the village. He fends off more bounty hunters until he is rescued by a wandering monk, who points him toward the Gion district. At Gion, Miyamoto encounters a courtesan named Yoshino, who bears a striking resemblance to Ukiyo. He ends up becoming a bodyguard for the Tsuruya brothel after saving one of the courtesans. The monk gives Miyamoto a new name: Kiryu Kazumanosuke.
In 1605, Kiryu is approached by a young girl named Haruka, who asks him to kill "Miyamoto Musashi", who allegedly murdered her parents. Kiryu initially declines, then later agrees to take the job when Haruka sells herself to Tsuruya and becomes a courtesan. Kiryu meets with the information broker Hon'ami Kōetsu, who tasks him with recovering a golden statue from a gang of thieves led by
Shishido Baiken. To his surprise, Kiryu discovers that Shishido is actually Majima, who has become amnesiac following his sacrifice to save Miyamoto five years ago. After defeating Majima in combat, Kiryu acquires the statue for Kōetsu. Kōetsu reveals to Kiryu that he knew of the latter's identity, but decided to respect his wish and not expose him. He also reveals that a swordsman bearing the name "Miyamoto Musashi" has been wandering around various dojos for five years issuing them challenges. Kiryu follows up on Kōetsu's information and goes to the Yoshioka Dojo, "Miyamoto"'s next target.
Kiryu bribes a Yoshioka student, Gion Toji, to gain access to their entrance exam. The dojo's masters, the Yoshioka brothers Seijuro and Denshichiro, argue over accepting Kiryu into the dojo, due to his status as a masterless samurai. Eventually, they decide to have him battle Seijuro. Kiryu emerges victorious and is accepted, but Toji reveals that he knows of Kiryu's true identity, having previously been a part of Marume's army, and that Kiryu must represent the dojo in fighting "Miyamoto". Kiryu trains with the Yoshioka Dojo for a month in preparation. He is later greeted by an old friend, Itō Ittōsai, who accuses him of being Miyamoto. Kiryu defeats Itō and confesses; the latter reveals that his family was killed ten years prior by Sasaki, and he wants to claim the right to kill him from Kiryu. Itō informs Kiryu that Sasaki will be in Gion in two days to attend a banquet, in celebration of the new Governor of Kyoto,
Itakura Katsushige. The pair plot to kill Sasaki on the night of the banquet; Kiryu also learns from Kōetsu that Marume will attend the banquet.
On the night of the banquet, Sasaki arrives and kills the attendees at Tsuruya. Kiryu and Itō confront him, but before they could kill him, the brothel is set on fire. Kiryu seeks out Haruka, who had been tasked to serve Governor Itakura, and saves her, while Itakura is killed by Marume. Days later, Kiryu tries to speak to Haruka, but the latter refuses, revealing that she knew of his identity, and that her parents' murderer had a charm tied to their sword, similar to his. Kōetsu later informs Kiryu that "Miyamoto" is attending a tournament at Hozoin Temple, prompting him to sign up for the tournament. He finds out, however, that it was a ruse, set up by the temple's masters and Marume. Marume reveals to Kiryu that Itakura was sent to take Haruka back to the Tokugawa Bakufu, and that both Marume and Sasaki were tasked by the same master to kill her; though Marume could not commit the deed. Marume stresses to Kiryu that Haruka bears great importance, though he refuses to elaborate further.
On the day of "Miyamoto"'s duel with the Yoshioka Dojo, Kiryu meets with Seijuro, who accuses him of being a spy, and fights him. Kiryu is forced to kill Seijuro in defense, but he then learns that the challenge was fabricated by Toji and fellow Yoshioka student Ueda Ryohei, who sought to usurp the Yoshioka brothers and take over the dojo. Itō arrives to fight Ueda, allowing Kiryu to find Toji before he could kill Denshichiro. Despite Toji's attempts to dissuade him, Kiryu fights and kill the former, then apologizes to Denshichiro for killing his brother. The next day, Kiryu meets with Ito and Kōetsu to discuss their next move. An old man who visits Kōetsu requests Kiryu to take him to Tsuruya to visit a relative. Upon returning to Tsuruya and meeting with Majima, the old man reveals to Kiryu that his relative was Haruka, and that he intends to buy her freedom from Tsuruya. Afterwards, Majima accidentally trips on a cobblestone and hits his head, recovering his memory in the process. Upon seeing Yoshino and mistaking her for Ukiyo, Majima deduces that Kiryu sold his sister to the brothel, and kidnaps Haruka. Kiryu learns of the kidnapping, and goes to Kiyomizu Temple to confront Majima. Yoshino stops them from fighting and reveals that she is Ukiyo's sister, Ageha, who sold herself to Tsuruya to give Ukiyo money.
Sasaki arrives at the temple, and reveals that Yoshino took his money to buy her own freedom, in exchange for setting Tsuruya on fire. He attempts to kill Haruka, but Majima stops him, though he is wounded and falls off a cliff afterwards. The old man arrives, prompting Sasaki to leave. The old man reveals to Kiryu and Haruka that he is the former shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, and that he is also Haruka's grandfather. Her father, Yuki, was indeed murdered by Kiryu five years prior, under Marume's orders, who in turn took orders from the imperial liaison Nankobo Tenkai, as part of a plot to set up Ieyasu's third-born son, the easily manipulated Hidetada, as the next shogun. Marume was ordered by Tenkai to also murder Haruka and her adoptive family afterwards, but he could not carry out the deed and let her escape. At the time, Marume carried a sword similar to Kiryu's, which caused Haruka to mistake Kiryu as the killer. Ieyasu offers Haruka to come back to Edo Castle with him, but she refuses, wishing to stay with Kiryu and Yoshino. Ieyasu tells Kiryu to travel to Yagyū village and find the legendary swordsman Yagyū Sekishusai, in order to learn more about those who plotted against him and Haruka. Kiryu spends the night with Yoshino, then travels to Yagyū, where he learns that Sekishusai was the wandering monk who helped him years ago. Sekishusai reveals to Kiryu that Sasaki is actually his son, who was blackmailed by Tenkai to do his bidding. Marume arrives at Yagyū and reveals that he also betrayed Tenkai years ago and has been helping the Tokugawa clan and Sekishusai to foil his plan. After begging for Kiryu's forgiveness, the two of them duel, with Kiryu emerging victorious.
Upon returning to Gion, Kiryu finds that Haruka has gone missing with no traces. One week later, during a celebration at Tsuruya of Yoshino's freedom and engagement to Kiryu, Sasaki arrives and informs Kiryu that he kidnapped Haruka and took her to Tenkai, who wishes to marry her to his puppet shogun, whom he intends to replace Hidetada with. Kiryu bids farewell to his friends and embarks to
Ganryū-jima, where he duels with Sasaki and defeats him. Tenkai appears and shoots Sasaki, boasting the imminent arrival of his army that would overthrow Hidetada. A defiant Kiryu defeats Tenkai's men before facing Tenkai himself and rescuing Haruka. Hidetada arrives at Ganryū, intending to kill Tenkai, but Kiryu stops him from doing so, suggesting that a trial be given to the traitor. However, as Tenkai's army approaches the island, a vengeful Sasaki kills Tenkai. Kiryu instructs Sasaki and Hidetada to escape with Haruka in tow, while he stays behind to fend off the army. As the army disembarks, Kiryu charges at them, his fate ultimately left unknown.
Ten years later, in 1615, Sasaki, having gone back to using his birth name Yagyū Munemori, joins Marume in commanding Tokugawa's forces to fight the Toyotomi Clan during the
Siege of Osaka
A siege () . is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition, or by well-prepared assault. Siege warfare (also called siegecrafts or poliorcetics) is a form of constant, low-intensity conflict charact ...
. The men form a plot to rescue Hidetada's daughter from enemy forces, with many volunteering to do it, having been inspired by the legend of Miyamoto Musashi. Elsewhere, a surviving Majima ponders whether Kiryu survived his fight with Tenkai's army.
Development
After successfully releasing the first two ''Like a Dragon'' games on the
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October, in Europe on 24 Novembe ...
, the development team initially made fun of their goal of making the next game for the then-new
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). It is the successor to the PlayStation 2, and both are part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. The PS3 was first released on ...
, while also moving to a different setting. However, they managed to make it in just over a year, and the staff felt refreshed.
''Kenzan'' is the first game in the series where the games' main characters have their face modeled in 3D after their voice actors who are Japanese celebrities.
Cyberware
Cyberware refers to technology that integrates directly with the human nervous system, typically through implants or interfaces that enable communication between machines and the body.
Once largely a concept within ''science fiction'', cyberwar ...
's color
3D scanner
3D scanning is the process of analyzing a real-world object or environment to collect three dimensional data of its shape and possibly its appearance (e.g. color). The collected data can then be used to construct digital 3D models.
A 3D scanner ...
(model PS) was used to analyze each actor's head & face in order to collect data on its shape and appearance, then this file was worked with the
Softimage XSI
Autodesk Softimage is a discontinued 3D computer graphics application, for producing 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling, and computer animation. Now owned by Autodesk and formerly titled Softimage XSI (stylized as Softimage, XSI), the software has ...
3D graphics application.
Releases
Trial versions
Two playable demos were released on January 7, 2008, via the Japanese
PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store (PS Store) is a digital distribution service for users of Sony's PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 game consoles via PlayStation Network.
The store offers a range of downloadable content both ...
. The first demo included sandbox play, and the second had a collection of various combat and romantic gameplay segments.
As part of the pre-ordering campaign, the Japanese first print was bundled with a limited item, a
monography
A monograph is generally a long-form work on one (usually scholarly) subject, or one aspect of a subject, typically created by a single author or artist (or, sometimes, by two or more authors). Traditionally it is in written form and published as ...
called ''Kamutai Magazine'' (March 2008 issue). Sony celebrated the Japanese release of the game with a 10,000 pieces limited edition Satin Silver 40GB model
SKU including a stickers set to customize the console case.
Asian and western markets
The Japanese version was released on March 6, 2008, in both Japan
and South East Asia, while Sony published it in South Korea on March 25, 2008, with a subtitled script book.
In late December 2009, commenting the opportunity of a western release, Sega Australia managing director Darren Macbeth said there were no plans at the time for a potential "Yakuza Kenzan" release, as they were focusing on the release of ''
Yakuza 3
''Yakuza 3'' is a 2009 action-adventure game developed and published by Sega for the PlayStation 3. The third main entry in the '' Like a Dragon series'', it was released in Japan and South East Asia on February 26, 2009, and in North America an ...
'' at the time.
In 2019, then-producer of the series, Daisuke Sato, commented that due to its age as an early PS3 game, releasing a simple HD remaster as with ''Yakuza 3-5'' (which were re-released as ''
The Yakuza Remastered Collection'') would make players today feel like something is missing, and as a result, ''Kenzan!'' would be suitable for a remake similar to ''
Yakuza Kiwami'' and ''
Yakuza Kiwami 2
''Yakuza Kiwami 2'' is a 2017 action-adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. It is a remake of the 2006 video game '' Yakuza 2'' for the PlayStation 2, the second remake in the ''Yakuza'' series following 2016's ...
''.
Though a Western release has yet to happen, the Western release of ''
Like a Dragon: Ishin!'' in 2023 (a remake of the Japan-exclusive ''Ishin!'' which released originally in 2014) has led to an increased speculation about a Western release of ''Kenzan!''. In response, executive producer Masayoshi Yokoyama and chief producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto stated that there was not enough demand for it, and a remake would have to be built from the ground up for the
current generation of consoles.
Soundtrack
The ''Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan! Original Sound Track'' (HCV-381) album was published by
Wave Master
is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several multi-million-selling game franchises for arcades and consoles, including ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', '' Angry Birds'', '' Phan ...
in Japan on March 6, 2008. The music was composed by
Hidenori Shoji
is a Japanese video game composer who has contributed to such Sega titles as '' Fighting Vipers 2'' (1998) and '' F-Zero GX'' (2003). He is best known for his work as the music director of the ''Yakuza'' series and its ''Judgment'' spin-off ser ...
,
Hideki Sakamoto
is a Japanese music composer, best known for his contributions in video games. He serves as the representative director of Noisycroak, a Tokyo-based sound design company focused on game soundtracks. ''Echochrome II'' holds the Guinness World Re ...
, Hiroyoshi Kato, Keisuke Ito and Yuri Fukuda, with additional cutscene music by
Hideki Naganuma
(born May 16, 1972) is a Japanese composer and DJ who primarily does work for video games. Naganuma is best known for his soundtrack for the game ''Jet Set Radio'' and its sequel '' Jet Set Radio Future''.
Early life
Naganuma started his musi ...
.
The game also features two songs by
Japanese hip hop
Japanese hip hop is hip hop music from Japan. It is said to have begun when Hiroshi Fujiwara returned to Japan and started playing hip hop records in the early 1980s. Japanese hip hop tends to be most directly influenced by old school hip hop, t ...
artists
Zeebra
, known professionally as , is a Japanese hip hop rapper and DJ who made his first appearance in 1995. Zeebra is a former member of the hip-hop group King Giddra, which also included DJ Oasis and K Dub Shine. He went on to pursue a solo caree ...
and
Ketsumeishi; Zeebra collaborated later with the ''
Yakuza 4
is a 2010 action-adventure game developed and published by Sega for the PlayStation 3. The sequel to ''Yakuza 3'' and the fourth main installment in the ''Yakuza (franchise), Yakuza'' series, it was released in Japan in March 2010 and internat ...
'' opening theme, "Butterfly City".
*Opening theme: ''
Bushido
is a Samurai moral code concerning samurai attitudes, behavior and lifestyle. Its origins date back to the Kamakura period, but it was formalized in the Edo period (1603–1868). There are multiple types of bushido which evolved significantl ...
'' by Zeebra. Released in Japan by
Pony Canyon
, also known by the shorthand form , is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966, which distributes music, films, home video, and video games. It is affiliated with the Japanese media group Fujisankei Communications Group. Pony Canyo ...
(PCCA-02642) as a dual-disc single on March 5, 2008. First disc is a CD including the title track and an instrumental version plus a B-side ''Lyrical Gunman'' (Three Gunz Up Remix) featuring Rudebwoy Face and Chappa Ranks. Second disc is a bonus DVD with the music video for ''Bushido'' which includes cutscene footages from the game.
*Closing theme: by
Ketsumeishi from their 2007 album ''Ketsupolis 5'' published in Japan by
Toy's Factory
is a Japanese record label founded in the late 1980s as a subsidiary of the entertainment company VAP, based in Japan. On May 30, 1990, it was established as an independent company. It is an associate member of the Recording Industry Assoc ...
.
Marketing
Licensed products
Clothes manufacturer Cropped Heads collaborated with
Sega
is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises for arcade game, arcades and video game cons ...
to produce licensed ''Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!'' tee-shirts, and Ace Cook produced ''Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!'' cup noodles.
Reception
Within four days of its release in Japan, ''Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!'' sold 177,897 copies.
As of March 31, 2008, it sold 282,800 copies. As a best seller in Japan, the game received a budget re-release under the
PlayStation 3 the Best bargain collection on December 11, 2008. It reached lifetime sales of
387,148 in Japan.
It earned the Award for Excellence at the
Japan Game Awards
The Japan Game Awards is the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's awards ceremony, which was created in 1996 as the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, CESA Awards. While it represe ...
2008, and the Japanese video game magazine ''Famitsu'' reviewed it 37/40.
onAxis article
Notes
References
External links
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan!
2008 video games
Action-adventure games
Beat 'em ups
Hack and slash games
Japan-exclusive video games
Open-world video games
PlayStation 3 games
PlayStation 3-only games
Sega beat 'em ups
Single-player video games
Video game prequels
Video games developed in Japan
Video games scored by Hideki Sakamoto
Video games scored by Hidenori Shoji
Video games set in 17th-century Edo period
Video games set in feudal Japan
Yakuza (franchise) spinoff games