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Sengoku (1991 video game)

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This article is about the 1991 arcade game. For the 2011 strategy game, see Sengoku (2011 video game).
Sengoku
Developer(s)SNK
Publisher(s)
SNK
  • Data East (Super Famicom)
    Sammy (Mega-CD)
Composer(s)Toshio Shimizu
Yasuo Yamate
SeriesSengoku
Platform(s)
Release
1991
  • Arcade
    • WW: February 12, 1991
    Neo Geo AES
    • JP: July 1, 1991
    • NA: July 1, 1991
    • EU: July 1, 1991
    Super Famicom
    • JP: September 19, 1993
    Mega-CD
    • JP: December 28, 1993
    Neo Geo CD
    • JP: March 17, 1995
    • NA: October 1996
Genre(s)Beat 'em up, hack and slash
Mode(s)
Arcade systemNeo Geo MVS

Sengoku[a] is a 1991 beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by SNK for the Neo Geo MVS arcade platform and the Neo Geo AES home platform.[1] It is the first entry of the Sengoku trilogy. It was ported to numerous home consoles including the Super Famicom (ported by Data East), Mega-CD (ported by Sammy) and the Neo Geo CD.[2] The former two ports released in 1993 were Japanese exclusives, while the latter was released in Japan and North America and 1995 and 1996, respectively.

The arcade version was included as part of SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1, released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii. The Neo Geo version was re-released on the Japanese Virtual Console for the Wii in 2011, with the sequels for the North American Virtual Console on November 8, 2012 (Sengoku 2) and June 6, 2013 (Sengoku 3) and for the PAL region on February 7, 2013 (Sengoku 2) and September 5, 2013 (Sengoku 3). In 2009, the series was compiled on the Sengoku Anthology for PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows. The game was re-released by Hamster Corporation as part of the ACA Neo Geo line of digital releases for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on March 16, 2017, Nintendo Switch on June 15, 2017, Microsoft Windows on December 15, 2017, iOS and Android on March 31, 2022. The North American version was released on March 30, 2022, one day prior to subsequent releases outside of that region.

Gameplay[edit]

Gameplay screenshot.

A player has a maximum of six health points. When certain enemies are defeated, spirits of powerful forms are available to transform into. In the SNES version transformation cannot be toggled, but stays constant for a limited time. The three different forms are a samurai, an armour-clad wolf and a more agile ninja. These forms have a limited use. Their attacks and jumps differ from the original form and their powers are enhanced by any power-ups collected.

Throughout the game the player would need to survive the hordes of enemies by collecting coloured orbs as power-ups. Ten Green orbs heal one health point. A Red orb gives the player a single sword, a Cyan orb gives the player a dual swords, the Purple orb gives the player a two-handed holy sword and a Yellow orb gives the player a limited magical attack.

Plot[edit]

Centuries ago a cruel and insanely tyrannical warlord was defeated by the two elite Samurai but had sworn to return in the future. When he does he unleashes undead forces of feudal Japanese warriors to destroy the world and its people. The warlord is opposed only by the two protagonists, a ninja and a Western cowboy (named Ninja Dave and Cowboy Kev in the Neo-Geo version[3] and named Dan and Bill in the SNES version), who turn out to be descendants of the two elite Samurai responsible for vanquishing the wicked warlord centuries ago.

Reception[edit]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Sengoku on their March 15, 1991 issue as being the thirteenth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.[6] Likewise, RePlay reported Sengoku to be the fourth most-popular arcade game at the time.[7]

On release, Famicom Tsūshin scored the Neo Geo version of the game a 19 out of 40.[8] Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Super NES version a 4.4 out of 10, commenting that it "has an interesting concept as you can change into different types of fighters, yet it just doesn't come together."[4] Power Unlimited gave the Neo Geo version a score of 85% writing: "A top-shelf brawler, even for people who aren't much of a fighter. The game gives you a real fighting feeling, thanks to the great sounds and images."[9]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Also known as Legacy of the Warring States (Japanese: 戦国伝承, Hepburn: Sengoku Denshō) in Japan.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Oh! Neo Geo Vol. 9 - 戦国伝承". Beep! Mega Drive (in Japanese). No. 44. SoftBank Creative. May 1993. p. 142.
  2. ^ "Neo•Geo CD: The Arcade In A Box - Sengoku". GamePro. No. Premiere Supplement. IDG. Spring 1996. p. 106.
  3. ^ a b "Computer & Video Games, January '92" (122). Computer & Video Games. January 1992: 38. Retrieved 21 July 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ a b "Review Crew: Sengoku". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 56. Sendai Publishing. March 1994. p. 34.
  5. ^ "Power Unlimited Game Database". powerweb.nl (in Dutch). November 1994. Archived from the original on October 22, 2003. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 399. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 March 1991. p. 25.
  7. ^ "The Player's Choice - Top Games Now in Operation, Based on Earnings-Opinion Poll of Operators: Best Software". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 7. RePlay Publishing, Inc. April 1991. p. 4.
  8. ^ NEO GEO GAMES CROSS REVIEW: 戦国伝承. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.332. Pg.25. 28 April 1995.
  9. ^ "Power Unlimited Game Database". powerweb.nl (in Dutch). November 1994. Archived from the original on October 22, 2003. Retrieved November 22, 2022.

External links[edit]

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