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Chapter 624 Ruruouni Kenshin Feedbacks.
🕑 Added 2025-09-04 02:24:12 +0000 UTC28 November Friday 1995
Just a couple of days have passed since the release of Rurouni Kenshin and two other ZAGE titles, Hello! Pacman and Cybernator. So far, Rurouni Kenshin has been receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from players.
Players especially praised the dramatic shift from the dark, cold-blooded assassin Battōsai to the peace-seeking, reverse-blade sword wielder Kenshin. This transformation wasn’t just narrative—it was reflected meaningfully in gameplay mechanics, tone, and even the visual presentation. They loved how the blood effects were toned down once Kenshin took over as the main persona, reinforcing his vow never to kill again.
Beyond Kenshin, the party system also received high praise. Each member brought unique flavor and tactics to battles. For instance, Sagara Sanosuke, once a powerful enemy who wielded a massive zanbatō, joins the party and fights barehanded. His skill set is focused on high-damage, single-target attacks, most of which have a chance to stun enemies, making him invaluable against bosses or shielded enemies.
Kaoru Kamiya serves as a crucial support character. Her skillset focuses on enhancing the party’s offensive strength and weakening enemies through debuffs, playing a vital role in team strategy. Meanwhile, Takani Megumi acts as the team's main healer, capable of restoring health across the entire party and removing status ailments.
The game features a total of six recruitable party members, but players can only bring three along with Kenshin into battle at any given time. The remaining three include the enigmatic Oniwabanshū leader Shinomori Aoshi, the stern and strategic former Shinsengumi captain Hajime Saitō, and the energetic kunoichi Makimachi Misao. Each of them has deep story arcs and unique combat styles, encouraging players to try different team combinations for various battles and narrative outcomes.
This thoughtful design in character variety and team composition added depth and replayability, which fans quickly came to appreciate.
Each party member experienced meaningful character development throughout the game, often showcased through side stories and optional dialogue events. One of the most beloved segments by fans is the Kyoto arc, where Kenshin and his companions journey to the ancient capital for the climactic confrontation. This final arc sees them face off against the fearsome Juppongatana—the ten elite warriors under Shishio Makoto's command—each with distinct personalities, motives, and battle mechanics. The intensity of the journey, combined with emotionally resonant storytelling and high-stakes boss battles, left a lasting impression on players and became a highlight of the entire experience.
The battle against Shishio Makoto is one of the most intense encounters in the entire game, and many players have found it incredibly difficult to overcome. Compared to him, every other boss feels like a mere warm-up. Shishio's design pushes players to their limits—he can occasionally take two turns in a single round if he isn’t stunned, and his devastating AOE fire attacks can wipe out unprepared parties in seconds.
To succeed, players must master the game’s mechanics. Strategic use of buffs and debuffs becomes essential, as well as skillful timing of healing and support abilities. It’s not enough to charge in; players need to bring a well-balanced team that includes heavy hitters to deal consistent damage and characters with stun abilities to prevent Shishio from unleashing back-to-back turns. Item usage is also crucial—whether it’s to boost defense, recover from status ailments, or survive his brutal special attacks. The fight demands precision, preparation, and adaptability, and for many, overcoming Shishio is the true test of everything they've learned throughout the game.
In the final phase of the game, players were captivated by the dramatic one-on-one duel between Kenshin and Shishio. What initially seemed like a standard JRPG boss fight evolved into something far more emotional and cinematic. The buildup to the battle was intense, with dialogue and music heightening the stakes.
One of the most memorable moments is when Kenshin unleashes his ultimate move—the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū Ōgi: Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki. This powerful strike hits Shishio with full force in a beautiful 16-bit cutscene. Yet, even in that moment of dominance, Kenshin refuses to kill. This deliberate restraint only fuels Shishio’s fury, and he lets out a rage-filled roar text while showing his drawn image of his face: “BATTŌSAI!” The moment is so raw and filled with tension that it left many players on edge.
Despite all his efforts, Shishio fails to bring the Battōsai back. Kenshin remains true to his vow, standing firm as Himura Kenshin, not the killer he once was. This clash of ideologies and the refusal to give in to hate added deep emotional weight to the fight. Shishio, in one final act of defiance and tragedy, succumbs to his own deteriorating body, engulfing himself in flames. His demise left many players feeling a mix of sadness and admiration. Though he was the villain, Shishio was written with such intensity and conviction that fans recognized him as a truly great character—complex, dangerous, and unforgettable.
Overall, the Rurouni Kenshin game delivers an engaging story, enhanced by expressive character sprites during conversations that bring the dialogue to life. It also does an exceptional job showcasing the powerful character development of Himura Battōsai as he transforms into Himura Kenshin—a man striving for redemption and peace after a past drenched in blood. The emotional depth and evolving tone resonate strongly with players, making the narrative arc one of the game's standout achievements.
There is also a hidden samurai boss encounter—an imposing figure clad in black and gold samurai armor, complete with a distinctive "Z" helmet. It’s none other than Zabo-man, wielding an enormous katana and delivering crushing blows in battle. Fans immediately recognized this as a classic ZAGE cameo; Zabo-man has become a recurring Easter egg across multiple titles from the ZAGE.
What makes this fight particularly memorable is Zabo-man’s bizarre dialogue. At one point, he asks, “You guys are very cool, but where can I find Jin Sakai? Where?” The question completely confuses Kenshin’s party, who have no idea who Jin Sakai is even this also make player confused as hell.
At one local arcade hub, a group of friends were gathered around the Rurouni Kenshin machine. One of them, waiting eagerly for his turn to play, turned to another and asked, "Dude, how do I even beat Shishio, man? He wipes out my entire party with that Flame Area attack! It’s brutal!"
His friend, who had already beaten Shishio, just grinned knowingly. "You gotta grind a bit, man. And you need Kaoru and Megumi to buff your team. Trust me, that support is essential. You also need two strong damage dealers—Kenshin’s a given, but your second should be either Saitō or Aoshi. Aoshi is great—his skills charge his ultimate really fast. And Saitō? One of his abilities can actually stun Shishio if you’re lucky."
The first friend’s eyes widened. "Damn! I’ve never even used Kaoru or Megumi. My whole team’s just attack, attack, attack!"
His friend sighed and shook his head. "That’s why you keep getting wrecked, dumbass."
Even in America, Rurouni Kenshin has been receiving a surprisingly positive response. Players there are intrigued by the samurai setting and combat mechanics. While it’s not the first Samurai-themed JRPG to reach Western audiences, Rurouni Kenshin stands out due to its unique premise and character-driven storytelling. One aspect that fans find especially compelling is how the main character, Kenshin, begins the game already immensely powerful—yet deliberately restrains himself. Having sworn off killing, Kenshin has effectively "nerfed" his own abilities, and this internal conflict between strength and pacifism adds a fresh and emotional layer to the gameplay experience.
Meanwhile, the government of Japan is extremely pleased. ZAGE has successfully brought a positive and respectful representation of the samurai legacy, just as they had hoped. The theme of redemption—a narrative deeply valued in Japanese storytelling—is portrayed beautifully in Rurouni Kenshin. As a result, officials have expressed satisfaction with ZAGE's work, viewing the game as a meaningful cultural contribution. This also symbolically settles ZAGE’s prior "debt" to produce a samurai-themed game, especially after last year’s controversial release of the nuclear-themed title Fallout. With Rurouni Kenshin, ZAGE has not only met expectations but has also reaffirmed its commitment to honoring Japan’s historical and cultural heritage in gaming.
Meanwhile, the other two ZAGE games released alongside Rurouni Kenshin—Cybernator and Hello! Pacman—also received positive responses. While they didn’t generate as much discussion or critical buzz as Rurouni Kenshin, fans still embraced them warmly. ZAGE's signature charm and gameplay polish remained evident, and long-time followers of the developer appreciated the variety these titles brought to the table.
At this very moment, Zaboru sits in his office in USA, deep in thought as he contemplates what games he should develop for release in early January 1996. With the recent success of Rurouni Kenshin and the positive reception of ZAGE’s lineup, the pressure is high—but so is the inspiration.
To be continue
