Hagane: The Final Conflict

Overview

Hagane ("Steel" in Japanese) was created by CAProduction and published by Hudson Soft. The game is a sidescrolling platformer, using ninja weapons to attack all foes and even acrobatic skills to reach areas of the game. Because of this, the game feel familiar to the original Ninja Gaiden or Strider games. The character designs are the work of Keita Amemiya who also worked on the Japan-only Rudra no Hihou as well as the Onimusha series.

Story

There were two clans who learned ninjutsu and black magic known as the Fuma and Koma clans. It was the job of the Fuma clan to protect a Holy Grail, whereas the Koma Clan wanted to use this Grail for ultimate power and conquer the world. They attacked the Fuma Clan and stole the Holy Grail from their hands. All members were killed except for one person, Hagane. He was then revived by Momochi by transforming him into an advanced android where his body was all robotics and his mind was still human. He then pursued forward into destroying the Koma clan and claiming back the power before it is used to conquer the world.

Gameplay

The games play similar to the old Ninja Gaiden games where the player can move left and right, can jump on platforms and kill enemies with his sword as well has a vast range of weapons in his disposal.

Weapons

Sword

A good all round weapon. Used for close ranged enemies and deals a good amount of damage. It doesn't require to refill when using the sword and the sword comes out very quickly upon pressing the button.

Kunai

While it deals slightly less damage than the sword, it's good for picking enemies off from a distance. They fire at a straight line and have a limited stock. The player can collect extra in packs of 10.

Bombs

These bombs are used in a short range but can deliver extra splash damage to surrounding enemies as well. These too have a limited stock and can collect extra bombs in packs of 10.

Grappling Hook

While the hook can also damage enemies, its main primary use would be for latching onto ceilings or any high ground above the player. Very useful for the difficult stages.

Techniques and Combat

Few things that Hagane has to offer is his agility in movement and also in combat. He can pull off many types of jumps and his attacks in combination with his movement can produce different abilities.

• Jump - Player jumps in the air.
• Mid-Air Roll - Does this by rolling forward in mid air. Must time the jump perfectly to perform action.
• Slide - Can slide on the ground for a short amount of distance.
• Foot Stomp - Whilst in the air, he can bounce on enemies with his foot causing extra damage.
• Latch - He can latch onto ceilings or platforms above him to grab onto. Very useful for the later levels.
• Wall Jump - Whilst doing the Mid-Air Roll near a wall, he can wall jump and if there are 2 narrow walls, he can also wall climb to the top. However if there isn't a wall, he will slowly float back down.

Somersault Attacks

Not only is the somersault good for evading attacks, but can also be used to attack. These types of attacks are used with the somersault buttons and pressing the attack button. Upon holding either of the shoulder buttons, with the character facing in the appropriate direction, the character produces 3 types of somersaults, with the distance shortening each time. Pressing either the attack or jump button will result in a new technique.

Items

• Kunai Blades - Adds 10 additional blades to stock.
• Extra Bombs - Adds 10 bombs to stock.
• Health - Heals one bar of health.
• Extra Health - Add one additional health bar to life. Maximum amount of bars can be stacked to 5 bars.

The levels themselves do have a strict learning curve due to the perfect timings on platforms as well as distinct boss patterns that they have.

Bosses

Musha-Mukuro Summons two statues to fight.

En-Mikoshi One of the machines that have been haunted.

Jasei-Jyu A female boss that transforms into a ferocious beast with a deadly tail.

Jyuso-Dama A man that haunts a machine.

Shurb-Oh Haunts and morphs into a giant.

Amano-Ikazuchi It is a huge rocket that is set to destroy the Earth.