Ejento 47

Our next chapter in Live A Live takes us to the Edo Period of Japan. The final days of the shogunate. 

The first scene has the shogun (?), Edo, who shares a name with the dinosaur from the last chapter, speaking to three of his underlings. The four are planning to bring chaos to the world and plan on eating someone. It's fairly generic evil dude stuff, but I feel it'll have a larger impact in future chapters. 

We then jump to a ninja named Hayate, speaking to his master. Hayate failed his previous mission, but the current mission is now more vital. Hayate volunteers to go, but the master fears what could happen to the clan if Hayate were to die. Hayate then suggests that a new apprentice, who shows incredible promise, take up the role. That ninja, Odoro-baro, appears and is informed about the evils that Odo does and the plan to kill him. Specifically, kill Odo and do not get caught. Odoro accepts this role, is given Hayate's Cloak of Shadows, and the mission begins. 

From here on, Odoro has a few ways to accomplish this mission. He can kill all 100 people in the castle, kill no one, or only kill hostiles. If you want to get the clean hands/suit only achievement, you'll need to learn how these guys use passwords, hide from sight using Hayate's cloak, and avoid everything. And you're rewarded well for it. Alternatively, butcher everyone and everything. This also brings about a specific reward. You can also do what I did and kill everyone who tries to kill you. Samurais, ninjas, demons, and mechanical constructs for some reason. There's even a fish. There's also a secret fourth ending where Odoro abandons his mission. That ends with him being hunted down and killed by his former clanmates. They wreck your face! 

How you go about your choice of actions will bring you to different areas of the castle, meet other NPCs (like prisoners), which traps you encounter, and unravel other subplots. It's not as stealthy as I'd hope, but it's the Super Nintendo. I see what Square was trying for, and they did it without making this chapter miserable. Be warned, though, I think it's possible to get soft locked in certain areas. So save often when you're outside or in a room with unlocked doors. 

There isn't much plot here; we're just trying to get to Edo, so hopefully you enjoy the gameplay. Eventually, though, you do find him. Edo sees you coming, Odoro is kinda dumb and rushes into a room filled with enemies. Odo pulls out a gun and aims it at Odoro, but another shot is heard instead. Turns out we're not the only ones hunting Odoro. A man named Ryoma shot Odo's gun and scared off the followers. Odo isn't cool, like a dinosaur, so he runs off, but not before calling the afterlife for help. He summons Musashi Miyamoto to kill the two of us. 

Musashi is the toughest fight in this chapter. None of my attacks did much, Ryomo was weak, and I somehow ran out of people to kill, despite having 62 kills under my belt. I spent all my usable items on him, but I won. 

Chasing back after Ode, a woman stops us before the battle and gives us a gift for not killing any women. She returns a few seconds later with a better gift. Both are accessories. But it's on to Ode. 

We easily beat him up at the top of the castle. But the game isn't over yet. Ode has another trick up his sleeve. He turns into a giant frog. This is a problem... If you have all the Genji gear, set the stage on fire. The fire panels did more damage to Ode than my normal attacks. Way of the Ninja skill was the best way to deal damage, as physical attacks were pathetic. 

After the fight, Ode dies, and two loud explosions are heard through the town. One is Ode's death, and the other is from a ship in the harbor filled with Ryoma's allies. Ryoma reveals his last name to be Sakamoto, meaning he is a real figure from the Edo period who helped to end the shogunate and establish the Empire of Japan. He offers Oboro a choice, but neither seems to matter. The sun rises, and the chapter ends.