Brave Fencer Musashi
Encyclopedia
is an action role-playing game
developed
and published
by Square
(now Square Enix
) in 1998
for the Sony
PlayStation. The game involves real-time combat in a 3D environment, and features voice overs for most dialogue. Brave Fencer Musashi was scored by Tsuyoshi Sekito
, a former Konami
employee. Characters were illustrated by Tetsuya Nomura
but were designed by Koji Matsuoka (a common misconception is the former being responsible for both).
The two swords he uses have varied abilities and uses. Fusion, the sword that resembles a proper katana, is the more utilitarian of the two, used to chain rapid combo hits but has its true strength in what the game calls -assimilation- through which by charging and hurling the sword into an enemy Musashi can then absorb Bincho energy (an MP equivalent) or absorb the enemy's skill. On the other hand is Lumina, which cannot be effectively used in combos by itself; its real strength lies in Scrolls obtained through the game which imbue Lumina with various elemental properties. The two swords are often used in conjunction with certain techniques which are granted by various rescued townswfolk whom Musashi can observe.
There are also several minigame
s and puzzles scattered throughout which must be completed to advance the plot.
stated in an interview with Famitsu
that the idea for the game first came up in February 1997. When developing the characters for the game Sakaguchi did not have a positive opinion of how popular would the game become. However, after the staff designed the graphics and the gameplay, he was surprised by the work, commenting that it was more interesting.
and packaged on October 31, 1998 with the PlayStation 1998 Collector's CD Vol.2, which contained a demo of Final Fantasy VIII
. A PlayStation 2
sequel, titled Musashi: Samurai Legend
(Musashiden II: Blademaster in Japan) was developed by Square Enix and was released in both North America and Japan in 2005
. A Japan-exclusive mobile phone incarnation titled Musashi: Mobile Samurai was also released in 2005.
. It is his first composition work with Square. The Brave Fencer Musashiden: Original Soundtrack was released by DigiCube
in Japan on July 23, 1998. It consists of 78 tracks spanning two compact discs in a boxset that also features a small mini-artbook with selected pieces from the game.
magazine.
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
developed
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
and published
Video game publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that they have either developed internally or have had developed by a video game developer....
by Square
Square Co.
was a Japanese video game company founded in September 1983 by Masafumi Miyamoto. It merged with Enix in 2003 and became part of Square Enix...
(now Square Enix
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
) in 1998
1998 in video gaming
-Events:*Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo to the AIAS Hall of Fame*British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosts the 1st annual BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards...
for the Sony
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
PlayStation. The game involves real-time combat in a 3D environment, and features voice overs for most dialogue. Brave Fencer Musashi was scored by Tsuyoshi Sekito
Tsuyoshi Sekito
is a Japanese video game composer, arranger, and musician who has been employed at Square Enix since 1995. As a composer, he is best known for scoring the video games Brave Fencer Musashi and The Last Remnant...
, a former Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
employee. Characters were illustrated by Tetsuya Nomura
Tetsuya Nomura
is a Japanese video game director and character designer working for Square Enix , best known for his work on both the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts series.-Time before Square:Nomura was born in Kōchi, Japan...
but were designed by Koji Matsuoka (a common misconception is the former being responsible for both).
Gameplay
The player controls Musashi, who fights a variety of enemies using his swords Fusion and Lumina to save the kingdom from various threats, and who searches for five scrolls which will increase Lumina's strength and grant him new abilities. The game also features an in-game clock and day-night system that affects the townsfolk and some of the creatures in the field (namely, the Minku - creatures from whom Musashi can obtain berries to increase his overall health stat), as well as forcing the player to pay attention to Musashi's fatigue rating that goes up over time with lack of sleep, which as the name implies will have a deteriorating effect on his combative ability. To pass time, the player may also opt to collect the various action figures -which resemble more detailed models of nearly all the characters and monsters- available at the town toy store which stocks new items at the start of every chapter. Along the way, Musashi obtains parts from the Legendary Armor which allow him to perform actions such as climbing or performing double jumps.The two swords he uses have varied abilities and uses. Fusion, the sword that resembles a proper katana, is the more utilitarian of the two, used to chain rapid combo hits but has its true strength in what the game calls -assimilation- through which by charging and hurling the sword into an enemy Musashi can then absorb Bincho energy (an MP equivalent) or absorb the enemy's skill. On the other hand is Lumina, which cannot be effectively used in combos by itself; its real strength lies in Scrolls obtained through the game which imbue Lumina with various elemental properties. The two swords are often used in conjunction with certain techniques which are granted by various rescued townswfolk whom Musashi can observe.
There are also several minigame
Minigame
A minigame is a short video game often contained within another video game. A minigame is always smaller or more simplistic than the game in which it is contained. Minigames are sometimes also offered separately for free to promote the main game...
s and puzzles scattered throughout which must be completed to advance the plot.
Plot
A boy known as Musashi, reincarnated from the legendary Brave Fencer Musashi who saved the Allucaneet Kingdom from a monster called the Wizard of Darkness 150 years before, is summoned to the Allucaneet by its Princess — named Fillet — to save it from the invading Thirstquencher Empire. Despite being a young boy, Musashi is given the blade Fusion, and charged with the task of obtaining Brave Fencer Musashi's sword — Lumina, the Sword of Luminescence — before the Thirstquencher Army does. Although Musashi has no intention in saving the kingdom, he agrees to do so in order to return to his homeland. After Musashi recovers Lumina, he finds that most of the people from the Allucaneet, including Fillet, have been kidnapped by the Thirstquencher Empire. In order to rescue all the residents from Allucaneet and defeat the Empire, Musashi starts searching for the Five Scrolls, items representing the elements able to highly expand Lumina's powers and then defeating the Crest Guardians who protect the Scroll's crests which are able to expand Lumina's powers. After collecting the Five Scrolls and freeing the first four crests, Musashi discovers Thirstquencher's base, a floating ship known as the Soda Fountain. Musashi attacks the base and defeats the Sky Guardian. Thirstquencher's leader, Flatski, forces Musashi to give him Lumina in exchange of the Princess, and frees the Sky Crest. However, this unleashes the Wizard of Darkness, who was in fact sealed within Lumina. Musashi recovers Lumina and defeats him. After returning the Princess to Allucaneet Kingdom, Musashi returns Lumina to the place where he found it.Characters
- Musashi: A young fencer summoned by Fillet to save Allucaneet Kingdom. He has a short temper and is generally impatient, yet will go to great lengths to help others. He must finish his quest before the binchotite runs out of energy, which will kill him. Although physically short, he has nearly superhuman strength (demonstrated in-game by his lifting of various large and heavy objects about ten times his size), and as the title gives - he is very skilled with in the art of swordsmanship. A twist at the end of the game makes it apparent that this is the same Musashi summoned in ages past when the Wizard first wreaked havoc. However, it also raises the question as to why he would seem oblivious towards a majority of the information recorded about the Wizard of Darkness and the Crest Guardians.
- Fillet: Princess of Allucaneet, kidnapped by the Thirstquencher Empire. She appears to be spoiled, and is quick to anger as well. She can perform "hero summoning", which allows her to draw in heroes from other worlds for a short time. While her parents were away on vacation, the Thirstquencher empire attacks and kidnaps many of the castle's servants, forcing her to summon Musashi.
- Colonel Capricciola/Jon (Colonel Jean Walker in the Japanese version): Mysterious treasure hunter & owner of Leno, a sweethearted dog, who often finds himself in trouble. In actuality, Jon is the prince of the Thirstquencher empire and the rightful heir to the throne. He poses as Col. Capricciola to get his chance to exact revenge on Flatski for killing his family. Towards the end of the game, Jon is shot in the back by Rootrick and is mortally wounded in the process. His last words are to Musashi telling him to look after Leno. He is later crushed to death during the Wizard of Darkness' rampage.
- Kojiro: Musashi's archrivalCompetitionCompetition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
. He was summoned by Fillet the second time she performs the Hero Summon. He despises Musashi, blaming him for a past accident (that left a scar on Kojiro's foreheadForeheadFor the Arsenal striker see GervinhoIn human anatomy, the forehead is the fore part of the head. It is, formally, an area of the head bounded by three features, two of the skull and one of the scalp. The top of the forehead is marked by the hairline, the edge of the area where hair on the scalp...
). Seeking revenge, he refuses to help Fillet in order to pursue a duel with Musashi. Topo, seemingly attracted to Kojiro, uses him as part of her plan to rob the village. Kojiro is defeated in battle when he first encounters Musashi on the beach. He appears later to challenge Musashi to a third rematch, only to be absorbed and fused by the Wizard of Darkness - which inadvertently gives him that final rematch in its second transformation.
- Thirstquencher Empire: Originally a peaceful monarchy until Flatski took over.
- Flatski (Tequila in the Japanese version): Leader of the Thirstquencher Empire. Flatski usurped power from the previous rulers of the Thirstquencher Kingdom and transformed it into an empire. He wishes to collect Lumina and the Five Scrolls so he can revive the Dark Wizard, whom he wishes to use to take over the world. He speaks with a German accent. At the end of the game, Flatski successfully revives the Wizard of Darkness but is stepped on and crushed to death by the Dark Wizard during his rampage.
-
- Rootrick (Boldor in the Japanese version): Second Lieutenant of the Thirstquencher Empire. He is the least powerful and respected member of Flatski's armies and possesses little intelligence. As the muscle of the empire, he is ordered to kidnap the princess, which he does with great success. He is later revealed to be Flatski's son. In the English dub, he has a Southern accent, despite his father having a German one. At one time he challenges Musashi to a climbing contest. The winner, would gain the first scroll that Musashi encounters. Musashi wins and strikes Rootrick with Lumina, supposedly sending him off the cliff to his doom. He later reveals that he survived the fall, when he returns and manages to deal Jon a fatal blow. After the Wizard of Darkness is released and starts to rampage, Rootrick's fate is left unknown. It is quite possible that he was destroyed in the crumbling tower during the Wizard of Darkness rampage.
-
- 1st Lieutenant Bubbles & Captain Gingerelle (Brandy and Liquor in the Japanese version): Bubbles & Gingerelle are sisters who serve as assassins, mercenaries, and spies for Flatski. They are extremely competitive in everything, both vying for the top spot under Flatski/Tequila. While not busy fighting, they compete in beauty contest in a neverending struggle to find who is the most beautiful. In a recent contest, Gingerelle won over Bubbles, causing a rivalry between the two fueled with jealousy, particularly on Bubbles part. Both sisters seem to also love/have a crush on Cappriccola. Towards the end of the game, Bubbles accidentally turns Musashi into a Bincholoid crystal. Gingerelle, angry at her younger sister for losing Lumina by her actions, dashes off to tell the Emperor of her failure. Bubbles, now nervous, runs off to prevent her from doing so. Neither sister is seen again.
-
- Ed, Ben, & Topo: Members of Flatski's special forces called "Leader's Force". All three claim to be the leader, though Capriccola seems to officially hold this position as he berates Ed and Ben for losing the bell they stole, and for failing to torch the village. Ben is the muscle without any intelligence, whatsoever. He seems to have an endless supply of weapons at his disposal. After losing his duel to Musashi, he stands at attention and allows Musashi to continue on his way; it's likely he died while standing, in reference to Benkei. Ed is the brains of the trio, and schemes of ways to make "Leader's Force", namely he and Ben, rich. Ed seems to possess magical powers that he can use in battle. When Musashi duels him at the end of the game, he wins and Ed dies in the process. Topo secretly dreams to become a pop icon with her dancing and karaoke. At one point, Topo teams up with Kojiro, in a scheme to dopplegang as the princess and steal money from the villagers. She encounters Musashi at Steamwood and runs away leaving the money behind. Topo later challenges Musashi to her version of a duel: a dance contest. When she loses to Musashi, her legs cease to work as she apparently dies soon afterwards, using her last ounce of strength to lead Musashi to Fillet and Cappriccola.
- The Crest Guardians: These creatures protect the crests of the five elements (Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Sky) in order to prevent the revival of the Wizard of Darkness. Musashi however, believes them to be enemies and destroys them.
- The Wizard of Darkness: He is a demon (also known as Dark Lumina) and was sealed within Lumina itself by the 'ancient' Musashi, unbeknownst to everyone in modern times. Musashi (and Flatski) unintentionally released him when Musashi mastered the Five Scrolls and traded Lumina for the Princess. Upon its freedom, the monster kills Flatski, then Jon shortly thereafter, and absorbs Kojiro. As a result, Dark-Lumina gains a "Must Kill Musashi" mentality and changes into a reptilianReptileReptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
form. He is soundly defeated after taking yet another form and once again is sealed back inside Lumina. The Wizard of Darkness's voice sounds similar to Lumina's telepathic voice, which Musashi first hears after absorbing The Earth Scroll. This makes it apparent that it was the Wizard himself who communicated with Musashi and urged him to destroy the Crest Guardians in order to free him.
Cast
| Character | Seiyū Seiyu Voice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and... | English voice actor |
|---|---|---|
| Musashi | Rika Matsumoto | Mona Marshall Mona Marshall Mona M. Ianotti is an American voice actress. She is often cast in the role of young boys. Her roles have included parts in not only Japanese anime, but also in American cartoons as well. Mona Marshall has recently lent her voice to the talking bear Koby the Study Buddy... |
| Princess Fillet | Etsuko Kozakura Etsuko Kozakura , better known by her stage name , is a Japanese voice actress from Mizuho and works at Ohsawa Jimusho. She is married to fellow voice actor Jin Domon.Etsuko also voices Tuffy in the Tom and Jerry series.- Notable voice roles :* Atashinchi - Yuri Ishida... |
Sandy Fox Sandy Fox Sandra Marie "Sandy" Fox is an American voice actress who has had numerous roles in various animated cartoon and Japanese anime series, and video games.... |
| Colonel Capricciola/Jon (Jean Walker) | Akio Ōtsuka | Steven Blum Steven Blum Steven Jay Blum is an American voice actor known primarily for his work in anime dubs and video games, using his distinctive deep voice. Among his credits include the voice of Spike Spiegel of the anime series Cowboy Bebop and Mugen of the anime series Samurai Champloo... |
| Rootrick (Boldor) | Shigeru Chiba Shigeru Chiba is an actor and voice actor. He has also worked as a sound effects director and music director. He is employed by the talent management firm 81 Produce.... |
Gary Michaels |
| Bubbles (Brandy) | Kotono Mitsuishi Kotono Mitsuishi is a prolific Japanese voice actor from Tokyo. As a young girl, Mitsuishi lived in Nagareyama, Chiba. Mitsuishi graduated from high school in 1986, and entered the Katsuta Voice Actor's Academy. While attending the academy, she began working part time as an elevator girl in the Sunshine 60 building... |
Lia Sargent Lia Sargent Lia Sargent is an American voice actress. She is known for extensive anime and video game voice work and has also done ADR directing and script writing for Animaze.. iNC... |
| Gingerelle (Liquor) | Yuko Miyamura Yuko Miyamura ' is a Japanese voice actress, actress, J-pop singer and director of audiography. Her married name is ', although she still works under her maiden name. Miyamura was born in Kobe, and graduated from the theater division of the Tōhō Gakuen College of Drama and Music. Her pet name is '... |
Bambi Darro |
| Führer Flatski (Tequila) | Kenichi Ogata | George C. Cole |
| Ed | Koichi Yamadera Koichi Yamadera is a Japanese voice actor, actor, tarento, narrator, master of ceremonies and impressionist from Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture. He graduated from Tohoku Gakuin University's economics school, and is currently affiliated with Across Entertainment. Before that, he was affiliated with the Tokyo Actor's... |
Kirk Thornton Kirk Thornton Kirk Thornton is an American voice actor.-Bio:He is known for playing tough or grouchy men in English-dubbed anime and video games. His career includes Hotohori in Fushigi Yūgi and Jin in Samurai Champloo... |
| Ben | Chafurin Chafurin is a Japanese vocal actor from Saitama Prefecture who works for Office Osawa. He was formerly credited as '. He graduated from Toyo University.-Television animation:*Ah! My Goddess *Argento Soma... |
Joe Romersa Joe Romersa Joseph M. Romersa is an American song writer, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, sound engineer and vocalist.... |
| Topo | Shinobu Adara | J. Cooper |
| Kojiro | Takahiro Hirano | Barbara Goodson Barbara Goodson Barbara Goodson is an American actress known mostly for her versatility in voicing original and dubbed cartoons. She is voted one of the ten best women to do the voices for young males in cartoons... |
| Steward Ribson (Steward Yukkeru) | Koichi Kitamura Koichi Kitamura , real name was a Japanese voice actor born in Osaka, Japan. Kitamura was employed by the talent management agency Mausu Promotion. He died on October 2, 2007 of pneumonia.-TV:*April to Sandman *Dragon Ball GT *Esper Mami... |
William Knight |
| Wanda | Wendee Lee Wendee Lee Wendee Lee is an American voice actress. While she has done voice work for many video games as well as several episodes in the Power Rangers franchise, she is particularly prolific in the dubbing of anime. As of April 2009, with 223 credits to her name, she has more credits in this medium than any... |
|
| Jam | Dorothy Elias-Fahn Dorothy Elias-Fahn Dorothy Ann Elias-Fahn is an American voice actress who is the wife of Tom Fahn . She is also known as Dorothy Melendrez and Annie Pastrano... |
|
| Hilda | Mary Elizabeth McGlynn Mary Elizabeth McGlynn Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is an American voice actress, ADR director, writer, and singer best known for her extensive English-language dubbing of various anime, and her singing in multiple games from the Silent Hill series, as well as the movie adaptation and Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME. She has... |
|
| Leanman (Alchemist Urute) | Ikuo Nishikawa Ikuo Nishikawa is a Japanese voice actor who works for Production Baobab.-Notable voice roles:*Jim in Adventures of Tom Sawyer *Elder Hestia in Appleseed *Godo in Berserk*Hugh W. Conwell in Blue Submarine No. 6*Robert J... |
|
| Harchinose | Sukekiyo Kameyama Sukekiyo Kameyama is a seiyū born on November 9, 1954 in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. He has played many supporting roles in Japanese television dramas. Kameyama is employed by the talent management firm Kiraboshi.-TV:*Anpanman... |
|
| Wizard of Darkness | Masashi Ebara Masashi Ebara , better known as , is a Japanese voice actor, actor, and narrator from Kanagawa Prefecture. He stands at 175 centimeters and is affiliated with 81 Produce.... |
Frank Welker Frank Welker Franklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American actor who specializes in voice acting and has contributed character voices and other vocal effects to American television and motion pictures.-Acting career:... |
Development
Executive producer Hironobu SakaguchiHironobu Sakaguchi
is a Japanese game designer, game director and game producer. He is world famous as the creator of the Final Fantasy series, and has had a long career in gaming with over 100 million units of video games sold worldwide...
stated in an interview with Famitsu
Famitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
that the idea for the game first came up in February 1997. When developing the characters for the game Sakaguchi did not have a positive opinion of how popular would the game become. However, after the staff designed the graphics and the gameplay, he was surprised by the work, commenting that it was more interesting.
Release
Brave Fencer Musashi was originally released in Japan on July 16, 1998. It was re-released on June 29, 2000 as part of Square's Millennium Collection along with merchandise including postcards, a combination camera and cellphone strap, a handy strap, and keychain fobs. Another Japanese re-release was for the PlayStation Network on July 9, 2008. In the North American market, it was hyped as Sony's answer to Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
is an action-adventure video game developed by Nintendo's Entertainment Analysis and Development division for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1998; in North America on November 23, 1998; and in Europe on December 11, 1998...
and packaged on October 31, 1998 with the PlayStation 1998 Collector's CD Vol.2, which contained a demo of Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII
is a role-playing video game released for the PlayStation in 1999 and for Windows-based personal computers in 2000. It was developed and published by Square as the Final Fantasy series' eighth title, removing magic point-based spell-casting and the first title to consistently use realistically...
. A PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
sequel, titled Musashi: Samurai Legend
Musashi: Samurai Legend
Musashi: Samurai Legend, known in Japan as , is a third-person action game developed and published by Square Enix in 2005 for Sony's PlayStation 2. Much like its predecessor, Brave Fencer Musashi, the game involves real-time combat in a 3D environment, and character designs by Tetsuya Nomura.The...
(Musashiden II: Blademaster in Japan) was developed by Square Enix and was released in both North America and Japan in 2005
2005 in video gaming
-Events:*March 6 — The television show 60 Minutes tackles issues within video game controversy. This segment of 60 Minutes has been criticized by video game players for encouraging video game censorship....
. A Japan-exclusive mobile phone incarnation titled Musashi: Mobile Samurai was also released in 2005.
Music
The game's musical score was composed by Tsuyoshi SekitoTsuyoshi Sekito
is a Japanese video game composer, arranger, and musician who has been employed at Square Enix since 1995. As a composer, he is best known for scoring the video games Brave Fencer Musashi and The Last Remnant...
. It is his first composition work with Square. The Brave Fencer Musashiden: Original Soundtrack was released by DigiCube
DigiCube
DigiCube Co., Ltd. was a Japanese company established as a subsidiary of software developer Square on February 6, 1996 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The primary purpose of DigiCube was to market and distribute Square products, most notably video games and related merchandise, including toys,...
in Japan on July 23, 1998. It consists of 78 tracks spanning two compact discs in a boxset that also features a small mini-artbook with selected pieces from the game.
Reception
Brave Fencer Musashi has sold approximately 648,803 copies in Japan during 1998, making it the 17th best-selling game of the year in that region. The game was given a 32 out of 40 by FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
magazine.