Some new features of Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke have been revealed by From Software.  The new elements of gameplay, which are being called gimmicks, are all different ways that Shipumaru can interact with each map.

Gimmicks includes traps, tools and things that just block the way.  These appear on each map and are an important part of solving each stage.  Here are a few that I know of and what they do:

Cannon There are walls that will not budge even under the strongest sword strike or the most powerful ninja magic.  In these cases, a cannon will appear somewhere on the map pointing at the wall.  There will also be a trigger button somewhere on the map that, if pushed, will launch a shell at the wall and destroy it.
Spider Webs Shipumaru cannot pass through spider webs – specifically, the industrial strength variety that appear in the game.  In these cases, fire is the only means of destroying them.  Various elemental magic can be controlled by Shipumaru, but details on these magics are pretty vague at this point.  In addition to fire, a tidal wave can be summoned with the water element.
Cracked earth There are spots where Shipumaru must run over and cannot stop.  After running over the cracked earth, a hole will appear.  Players will definitely have to carefully plan their action around spots like this.
…and more As you may notice in the above pictures, there are some walls that shoot spikes and some floors are covered with conveyor belts.  These are pretty typical for most action-puzzle games, but still it feels unique in Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke.  I am sure there are other shenanigans in store for the player as well… Like more crazy enormous bosses:

I really wanna see a video of how to combat bosses…

The more I learn about this game, the more difficult I can imagine it becoming.  I picture a stage with all of the aforementioned gimmicks that need to be triggered in a precise order and not having a single shadow-self to spare.  I know I have said it before, but this is one puzzle game I am really excited for.

Related Entries:
Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke: Website Update
Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke: Character and Story Update

I will admit I am not a puzzle-game fan.  They annoy me and I generally don’t see a point.  Bomberman for instance – everyone loves him, I don’t fucking get it.  Anyway, Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke is a puzzle game which I can appreciate.  I think what attracts me to it is the awesome character design, story and appearance of the game.

I now know the name of the game’s iconic parakeet-loving princess: Mana-hime.  Her design I find especially interesting.  She wears a very elaborate dress, featuring many different patterns and accessories, yet somehow not going overboard.  I especially love the details on her legs, which slightly resemble shide, adornments used on Shinto shrines and other miscellaneous holy areas.

Mana-hime	Shipumaru	Mikazuchimaru

It turns out my previous translation of the games story was slightly off.  Rather than Mana-hime being wed to another ninja family, she is simply an ordinary princess arranged to marry into another family.  She is kidnapped mysteriously and her father hires ninja to rescue her.

The main character is Shipumaru, who can create shadow clones to assist him in his quest.  His brother Mikazuchimaru was just introduced.  Apparently Mikazuchimaru did something to betray Shipumaru’s ninja organization when he was a member.  Because of this, he is now an enemy and despite their bloodline, would stand against Shipumaru.  Pretty intense.

Apparently while Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke is considered a puzzle game there are also Boss battles:

I admit, I don’t fully understand the mechanics of boss battles,especially when it comes to assigning tasks to your shadow-selves.  Hoping to learn more soon!

Related Entries:
Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke: Website Update
History of Video Game Weapons Part III: Ninja Gear

The website for From Software’s action-puzzle title for the PSP, Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke (?????????), was updated recently to include some new information concerning the game’s story.

The game takes place during Japan’s Edo period.  A clan of ninja is in the process of wedding their princess to another powerful family when she is mysteriously kidnapped.  The player assumes the role of one of the clan’s ninja named Shipumaru who goes on a quest to get her back.  Here is an image of Shipumaru and the yet-unnamed princess:

I really love the character design of these two characters. The designer is named OKAMA, and you can check out his impressive collection of character designs here.  On a side note, okama is a derogatory term for a male who plays a female character in an MMO in Japan.  OKAMA states that is where he got his pen name.  I really like his stuff and hope to see more games using his designs.

Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke allows the player to record actions in up to 4 ninja-shadow-clones to complete a stage.  Each stage consists of a number of obstacles or triggers which each clone can be assigned to.  Judging by the video, when used successfully an army of shadow-clones can make short work of a stage and is quite impressive to watch.  I think this game may have actually succeeded in making decently cool ninja action.

From Software seems pretty good about seeing that their games see Western releases. Let’s just hope this title is considered.  Speaking of From Software, have you guys seen Ninja Blade?  I admit… this game makes me almost want an Xbox.

Related Entries:
History of Video Game Weapons Part III: Ninja Gear

I am not much of a fan of puzzle games, but I am a huge fan of anything made by Nippon Ichi Software (NIS). Jigsaw World (???????? ????! ????????????) is somehow both of these things, so I had to investigate it. As the name implies, the game is basically about completing jigsaw puzzles with your Nintendo DS. Sounds a little boring, I know, but NIS is great at putting a fun, stylish spin on the seemingly mundane.

Jigsaw World is a about an Evil “Devil King” from a certain television program who is bitter about being defeated many times in the past. To get revenge, he decides to summon 8 heroes and heroines from various hit TV shows to his Jigsaw World to challenge them on his terms. All 8 characters have not been revealed yet, but here are a couple:

Gameplay: The player and his or her opponent(s) share one image that needs to be assembled. Each side is given one piece at a time, and with the stylus, the player selects where the piece goes. Whoever puts the most pieces in the correct spot wins. Simple, right?

If that was all there was to it, then the game would get boring fast. Luckily, that’s not the case. Each character has their own special moves which can be used to slow the enemy down, or help the player.

Muté Kid’s “Muté Kidash” for instance, lights up a the correct spot for a piece that you’re holding. Of course, these skill cannot be spammed wildly–each skill consumes a certain amount of stamina, eventually reducing it to 0. It is probably better to save the important skills for the end of the picture, when each piece really counts.

Jigsaw World has 4 confirmed modes of gameplay:

• Story Mode: The player is allowed to select a character to play through the story with. As the player beats the game with the available characters, more characters and more of the story will be unlocked.
• Free Battle Mode: The player selects their favorite (available) character and has a 1 on 1 against the CPU.
• Genius’ Big Study Mode: After completing the story, Genius’ Big Study Mode becomes available. In this mode, the player will be given clues as to what picture he is putting together, but will never be shown the end result. There are multiple subjects to choose from such as insects, dinosaurs etc.
• Multiplayer: It is possible to have up to a 4-way battle via the Nintendo DS’s wireless linking ability.

I am really hoping to find a YouTube video of the action soon so I can get a better idea. If and when I do I will be sure to update. Jigsaw World comes out in Japan on June 26th, 2008. The games official Japanese website can be found here.