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Utter the name Miyamoto Musashi and even non-Japanophiles are likely to have at least heard of it. The man with two swords doesn’t really stand out in Samurai Warriors 4, a game where dudes fire cannon-lances, shoot lightning and all sorts of other fancy things, but he’s still a force to be reckoned with utilizing his special dual-blade attacks.
His greatest rival, supposedly, is Kojiro Sasaki. The mysterious swordsman dogs Musashi’s steps so it seems, with him placed as always on opposing armies from whichever side Musashi supports.
Okuni:
Today’s fun fact: Kabuki, the famed dance style from Japan, was started by this traveling Izumo priestess. Some say it was her way of begging for alms for the temple she served at. Nonetheless, her art endures. In the game, she’s got less qualms about taking her umbrella to the noggins of foes, and if she’s truly in danger can unleash fiery hell from it.
Goemon Ishikawa:
Rob from the rich, give to the poor. Japan’s own version of Robin Hood is Goemon Ishikawa (who… kinda looks like E. Honda’s ancestor). In previous games, his tale had him searching for the ultimate treasure of Japan, or alternatively falling for Okuni and following her as her bodyguard. While he doesn’t quite sport the same-sized cannon as Tokugawa Ieyasu, his is just as good. It might even be a modified fireworks cannon, going by his special’s colorful antics.
Samurai Warriors 4 is now available for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita.
