From SSC Newsletter Vol. 1: a rare SNK development interview and key highlights for Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidō Retsuden — a Samurai Spirits RPG we would love to finally see translated into English and released on Neo Geo AES !
_ Development took much longer than expected, but the team says the content became much richer as a result, with the aim of showing a previously unseen side of the Samurai Spirits universe.
_ The content was unified across the Neo Geo CD, PlayStation, and Saturn versions. Originally, each platform was supposed to feature a different combination of chapters, but because the Neo Geo CD version was delayed and the release schedules ended up overlapping, SNK chose to avoid confusion.
_ There was even an extreme idea of releasing nine different versions, with each chapter released separately on each platform. The team admits this was unrealistic, and that the final solution was more reasonable.
_ The main technical difficulty came from creating a CD-ROM RPG using an arcade development environment. The amount of data was huge for the time — about 1.8 times that of a standard arcade game — making corrections very complicated.
_ According to the team, the game’s main selling point is the quantity and quality of its graphics, especially the highly detailed battle screens, along with a story designed to please fans.
_ The “Spirits” parameter is deliberately kept mysterious. It does not affect the learning of secret techniques, but it does influence certain battle effects and some events.
_ Special techniques use a parameter called “Ki.” The idea is that the samurai are not really using magic, but fighting energy. If their Ki is too low, they cannot use advanced secret techniques.
_ Weapons can receive attributes through the blacksmith. Instead of a traditional RPG system where players buy new weapons and armor, the game uses attributes added to weapons.
_ Attributes do not level up directly, but they become stronger as the character progresses.
_ Blade clashes / weapon locks are present, but handled through RPG mechanics: they occur based on character parameters and an element of chance.
_ Some mechanics from the fighting games are adapted, such as rage, ultimate techniques, or equivalents of weapon-disarming moves, but they do not work exactly as they do in the versus fighting games.
_ The game includes mini-games, including chō-han, a Japanese gambling game based on odd or even dice results.
_ Original RPG characters such as Suzune could appear in future Samurai Spirits games, but SNK clearly says this would depend on fan support.
_ The link between Suzune’s weapon and Mizuki is deliberately left mysterious, because it touches on the core of the story. The team says some elements are meant to be suggested rather than directly explained.
_ Genjuro receives special treatment if chosen as the main character, with exclusive events suited to his darker, more adult personality.
_ Kazama Sōgetsu and Kazama Kazuki are teased mysteriously, with an answer along the lines of “please look forward to it.”
_ The Mato Fūmetsu no Shō chapter was cut, but SNK says it could be released later, provided it is reworked rather than simply released as a small standalone scenario.
_ A sequel is not officially planned, but the team says they would like to make one if fans ask for it, especially because many ideas had to be cut during the planning stage.
Bushidō Retsuden — Development Interview
Q: Quite a lot of time has passed between the official announcement and the release. Does that mean the contents have become richer as a result?
A: In terms of content, it is packed with material. We think players will definitely enjoy it. We will show you a world of Samurai Spirits that you did not know before.
Q: During development, were there any major changes from what had originally been planned?
A: Up to now, the release plan was as follows: the Neo Geo CD version was to include Jaten Kōrin no Shō and Yōka Dōkoku no Shō; the PlayStation version was to include Yōka Dōkoku no Shō and Mato Fūmetsu no Shō; and the Saturn version was to include Jaten Kōrin no Shō and Mato Fūmetsu no Shō.
However, we have now revised this so that the Neo Geo CD, PlayStation, and Saturn versions will basically have the same content.
Q: What was especially difficult during the development of Bushidō Retsuden?
A: We had to make a CD-ROM RPG within an arcade development environment. In the case of this game in particular, the amount of data ended up being about 1.8 times that of a normal arcade game — and we are already in the era of 300 Mega Shock!
So it felt like we were making the game in small pieces, joining them together at the end, and when something had to be fixed, going back to those separate pieces of data and remaking them. It was difficult because we had to work while imagining parts that we could not yet see.
Q: At first, the scenarios included in the Neo Geo CD, PS, and Saturn versions were different. Why did all three versions end up having the same content?
A: Because the release date of the Neo Geo CD version was delayed and ended up overlapping with the release schedule of the PS and Saturn versions. We thought that releasing several versions with different contents at the same time would cause confusion, so it would be better to make them the same.
At one point, there was even a reckless idea of treating Jaten, Yōka, and Mato as separate titles, releasing each of them for NG-CD, PS, and Saturn — nine titles all at once. But I think we can say we eventually settled on a more reasonable solution.
Q: The game will be released on three systems, but will there be any different bonuses or special features depending on the hardware?
A: Some parts are due to hardware limitations, and some parts were changed with the users of each machine in mind. There are no differences in the basic scenario or story.
However, the releases will not be simultaneous: the Neo Geo CD version is planned for March 28, while the Saturn and PlayStation versions are planned for April 25.
Q: From the development staff’s point of view, what is the game’s biggest selling point?
A: The reckless quality and quantity of the graphics. Battle screens so excessive that one could almost call them outrageous. And scenarios that fans should be happy with — including some service scenes.
Q: How does the mysterious “Spirits” parameter affect the game? If the value is low, are there events that will not occur, or certain secret techniques that cannot be learned?
A: It does not affect the learning of secret techniques, but it does create differences in various battle effects and in certain events. We intend to keep the details a mystery forever. You will probably understand once you really play the game thoroughly.
Q: When each character uses a secret technique, does it consume a certain amount of health? Or is there an RPG-style parameter similar to magic points?
A: We use a parameter called “Ki”. They use techniques — secret arts — that look almost like magic or supernatural powers, but the basis of the samurai’s techniques is fighting spirit. If their Ki is not sufficient, they cannot use advanced secret techniques. In that sense, it is like going back to the roots of RPGs.
Q: Characters also have attributes. Can these be changed through events and such?
A: When a blacksmith reforges a weapon, a new attribute is infused into it. Only the successor of the legendary swordsmith said to live in the village of Ise can change attributes.
Q: Do attributes themselves level up into higher forms as the character grows?
A: The attributes themselves do not have levels, but as the character grows and levels up, the character’s attribute becomes stronger. In Samurai Spirits, you cannot buy new swords or armor, so instead of things like a “Flame Sword” or “Water Robe,” we made it possible to add attributes.
Q: Since Bushidō Retsuden is an RPG rather than a versus fighting-action game, under what circumstances does a blade-lock / weapon clash occur?
A: It occurs based on probability and random numbers, after comparing the characters’ parameters.
Q: Among the secret techniques used by each character, are there any “weapon-destroying” or “weapon-flying” moves that appeared in previous Samurai Spirits games?
A: Some enemies do not have weapons, so there are no weapon-flying moves in that sense. However, there are ultimate secret techniques that correspond to weapon-flying moves.
Q: Is the “Rage Explosion” from Amakusa Kōrin possible?
A: Rage does explode, but its role is different from the one in Amakusa Kōrin.
Q: What kinds of weapon attributes can be changed by having the blacksmith reforge them?
A: There are six types of attributes. The visible text lists Fire, Ice/Water, Lightning, Holy, and Demon. These attributes can be added to normal attacks. Note: the original line says “six types,” but the scan visibly lists five names.
Q: If a character and their weapon have the same attribute, are there special effects, such as increased damage to enemies?
A: That is exactly what attributes are for. It is a common pattern, but compatibility is set between the different attributes.
Q: There is a gambling hall. As a small extra, will players be able to play mini-games such as hanafuda or chō-han dice gambling there?
A: You can play chō-han gambling.
Q: Could original Bushidō Retsuden characters such as Suzune of the Gale appear in future mainline Samurai Spirits games?
A: I think it is possible. But we need everyone’s support, so please write lots of letters saying, “I want to use this character in a versus fighting game!”
Q: About Suzune’s weapon, the huge sword called “Bizuki”: is it related to Bizuki, the body of the demon-goddess Mizuki?
A: That question touches on the core of the story. All I can say is: please play the game. But that part has been properly established. It is one of those things where we deliberately do not explain too much and want you to infer it, so some people may not notice it.
Q: If you choose Genjuro Kibagami as the player character, he acts alone. Are there special elements that do not exist when playing as other characters?
A: There are exclusive events built in. They are very Genjuro-like: one is creepy and sinister, and another is more of a “heh-heh” kind of event. Maybe you could call that adult charm.
Q: Will Kazama Sōgetsu and Kazama Kazuki from Amakusa Kōrin appear?
A: As for that… please look forward to it.
Q: Unfortunately, the Mato Fūmetsu no Shō scenario was cut this time. Are there plans to release it in the future?
A: I think it will be released. But we cannot release it at the scale of just one of the three scenarios, so it needs some reworking. For that reason, we would like a little more time.
Q: Are there plans for a sequel to Bushidō Retsuden? A: Unfortunately, not at the moment. But if there are many requests from fans, we will do our best to respond. Also, there were parts that we had to reluctantly cut at the initial planning stage, so from the creators’ point of view, we definitely want to make a sequel.
#SamuraiSpirits #SNK #NeoGeo
Japha
