Software:Kengo: Master of Bushido

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Short description: 2000 video game
"Kengo" redirects here. For the Japanese wrestler, see Kengo (wrestler). For people with the name Kengo, see Kengo (given name). For the 1991 arcade game, see Ken-Go.
Kengo: Master of Bushido
Developer(s)Lightweight[1]
Publisher(s)
SeriesKengo
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: December 14, 2000
  • NA: January 2, 2001[3]
  • EU: March 30, 2001
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Kengo: Master of Bushido is a fighting game and the first entry in the Kengo series. Developed by Lightweight, it was released for the PlayStation 2 as Kengo (剣豪) in Japan on December 14, 2000 and as Kengo: Master of Bushido in North America and Europe in 2001 respectively. A sequel, Sword of the Samurai (Kengo 2 in Japan), was released in 2002.

The game was released in Japan on PlayStation Network on April 16, 2014 as a PS2 Classic for the PlayStation 3.[4]

Gameplay

The single-player game consists of three sections. Of these, the first two sections are for training and for challenging other schools. The training consists of multiple mini-games which each focus on one gameplay aspect, such as timing or button combos. The training helps increase the maximum value for the character statistics, without augmenting their current value. When challenging other schools the player will fight four identical-looking opponents, one unique opponent, and the master of that school. The battles are fought using wooden swords but increase in difficulty consecutively, and the player recovers a small portion of health between battles.

The player will need to defeat each rival school to earn a place at the head of their school. The player randomly has access to the Imperial Tournament, which serves as the final goal for the game. Players fight in the tournament using steel swords and have full health at the start of each match. The player can challenge other schools with victory meaning that they have earned the sword of that school. The player gets a unique special move by arming with different swords. By this point the player will be challenged randomly either by the master or unique opponent from other schools and will not be able to decline. Losing random encounters strips the sword of that school from the character. Both the life and Ki bars are able to be hidden from battle, and a wounded character has their status displayed during battle.

Offense uses four "stances" as well as one special move. This special move is not always available if the wrong sword is equipped. These special moves are executed by pressing the triangle button when the player has a full Ki bar. The player can fill the Ki bar by pressing the triangle button or by fighting successfully. Each of these "stances" is selected using the shoulder buttons and is made up of three moves. These moves must be executed in sequence and each can be augmented by the proximity of the characters to one another, by using the analog stick, by or pressing another button while exeucting the combo. When not in battle, the player can re-design the four stances by replacing one move or all three moves with other moves that the player has earned during the game.

Reception

Kengo: Master of Bushido
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic62/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge6/10[2]
EGM5.83/10[1][lower-alpha 1]
Famitsu31/40[6]
Game Informer7.25/10[7]
GameRevolutionC−[8]
GameSpot5.9/10[9]
GameSpy52%[10]
IGN6/10[11]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar[12]
OPM (US)StarStarStar[13]

The game received "mixed" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[5] Chester "Chet" Barber of NextGen said, "With a deep fighting engine and great replay value, you'll be playing this one for weeks. If you loved Bushido Blade, Kengo is definitely a must-buy." In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40.[6] Four-Eyed Dragon of GamePro said, "Although Kengo may not be suited for button-mashers or die-hard Capcom fighter enthusiasts, its unique fighting style is a fresh and welcome addition to the genre."[14][lower-alpha 2]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 5.5/10, 5/10, and 7/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game 5/5 for graphics, two 4/5 scores for sound and control, and 4.5/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Boyer, Crispin; Johnston, Chris; Dudlak, Jonathan (March 2001). "Kengo: Master of Bushido". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (140): 115. Archived from the original on March 9, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010309181914/http://www.zdnet.com/egm/stories/main/0%2C11589%2C2675809%2C00.html. Retrieved March 8, 2024. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Edge staff (February 2001). "Kengo [JP Import"]. Edge (Future Publishing) (94): 94. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407173758/https://retrocdn.net/images/8/89/Edge_UK_094.pdf. Retrieved March 8, 2024. 
  3. ↑ "CRAVE'S "KENGO: MASTER OF BUSHIDO" BECOMES ONE WITH STORES". January 2, 2001. Archived from the original on March 9, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010309050224/http://www.cravegames.com/pressreleases/20010102_01.htm. Retrieved March 7, 2024. 
  4. ↑ "剣豪" (in Japanese). Sony Computer Entertainment. http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0128npjd00052_000000000000000000.html. "配信日 - 2014年4月16日" 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Kengo: Master of Bushido". Fandom. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233618/https://www.metacritic.com/game/kengo-master-of-bushido/. Retrieved March 7, 2024. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "プレイステーション2 - 剣豪" (in ja). Famitsu 915: 87. June 30, 2006. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151223065609/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9328. Retrieved March 7, 2024. 
  7. ↑ Reppen, Erik (March 2001). "Kengo: Master of Bushido". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (95). http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200103/R03.0805.1311.28265.htm. Retrieved January 7, 2015. 
  8. ↑ Dr. Moo (January 2001). "Kengo: Master of Bushido Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150922061419/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/kengo-master-of-bushido. Retrieved March 7, 2024. 
  9. ↑ Stahl, Ben (January 5, 2001). "Kengo: Master of Bushido Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192248/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kengo-master-of-bushido-review/1900-2671578/. Retrieved March 7, 2024. 
  10. ↑ Gonzalez, Jessyel (January 22, 2001). "Kengo: Master of Bushido Review". GameSpy Industries. Archived from the original on December 11, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041211011802/http://www.planetps2.com/features/reviews/2001/kengo/. Retrieved January 7, 2015. 
  11. ↑ Smith, David (December 22, 2000). "Kengo: Master of Bushido [JP Import"]. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327141806/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/23/kengo-master-of-bushido. Retrieved March 7, 2024. 
  12. ↑ Barber, Chester "Chet" (April 2001). "Kengo: Master of Bushido". NextGen (Imagine Media) (76): 77. https://archive.org/details/NextGen76Apr2001/page/n77/mode/2up. Retrieved March 7, 2024. 
  13. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (March 2001). "Kengo: Master of Bushido". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (42). Archived from the original on April 10, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010410011447/http://www.zdnet.com/opm/stories/main/0%2C11891%2C2677454%2C00.html. Retrieved January 7, 2015. 
  14. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (March 2001). "Kengo: Master of Bushido". GamePro (IDG) (150): 80. Archived from the original on February 14, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050214031347/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/10322.shtml. Retrieved March 8, 2024. 
  • Official website (archived) (in Japanese)
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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