Usagi Yojimbo
action adventure game for Commodore 64, 1988
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KONNICHI WA!
THE TIME: 17th century.
THE PLACE: Feudal Japan.
THE CONFLICT: The land is rife with
civil war as the great
warlords of Japan battle
with each other for
control of the Shogunate,
and control of Japan
itself.
THE HERO: Usagi Yojimbo is the warrior
who must oppose the dark
forces, a lone Ronin Rabbit of
great skill and endurance.
SAMURAI WARRIOR is a game of combat,
subtlety and manners!
* Develop your swordplay skills against
deadly Ninja fighters and crafy
bandits.
* Fend off surprise attacks from hidden
killers.
* Meet a host of colorful characters and
discover if they will help or oppose
you.
* Follow the way of BUSHIDO, the way of
the warrior, and be polite, otherwise
you can lose karma and make fierce
enemies of potential allies.
* Roam far and wide over the exquisite
and detailed graphic landscapes.
SAMURAI WARRIOR - ENTER THE RABBIT
INSTRUCTIONS
It is seventeenth century Japan. The
shogun's power is slow to spread across
the land, and noblemen battle with one
another for land and power. Through
these troubled lands walks a ronin
rabbit, Myamoto Usagi - known to most as
Usagi Yojimbo.
Usagi's task is to rescue Lord Noriyuki,
his old friend, from the evil Lord
Hikiji.
Usagi will have to choose from many
different paths along the way. Some lead
to inns, where food and information may
be obtained. Food restores his strength,
but costs money. Other paths lead Usagi
into perilous battles against ninjas,
bounty hunters and other hostile
creatures.
STARTING THE GAME
When the game has started, the screen
will show several options, which operate
as follows:
[F1]: Allows the player to select
practise or game.
[F3]: Allows the player to select
joystick or keyboard control.
[F7]: Start the game. (Pressing the fire
button will also start the game.)
THE CONTROLS
Usagi operates in two modes:- 'peaceful
mode' and 'fighting mode'. The current
mode is indicated by the face in the
upper left-hand corner of the screen.
Switching between the two modes is
merely a matter of drawing or sheathing
your sword.
Usagi's movements are controlled as
explained in the following diagrams:
JOYSTICK CONTROLS
Plug a joystick in either Port.
USAGI IS FACING TO THE RIGHT!
Peaceful mode (NO FIRE BUTTON PRESSED):
JUMP/MOVE UP
|
JUMP BACK\ | / JUMP FORWARD
\ | /
\|/
TURN --------- WALK
/|\
/ | \
STAND/ | \STAND
|
STAND
Peaceful mode (FIRE BUTTON PRESSED):
DRAW SWORD
|
DRAW SWORD \ | / DRAW SWORD
\ | /
\|/
PAY MONEY --------- PAY MONEY
/|\
/ | \
BOW / | \ BOW
|
BOW
Fighting mode (NO FIRE BUTTON PRESSED):
JUMP
|
JUMP BACK \ | / JUMP FORWARD
\ | /
\|/
TURN --------- RUN FORWARD
/|\
/ | \
STAND / | \ STAND
|
STAND
Fighting mode (FIRE BUTTON PRESSED):
RAISE SWORD
|
RUN BACK \ | / CHARGE
\ | /
\|/
TURN --------- CHARGE
/|\
/ | \
SHEATH SWORD / | \ CHARGE
|
RAISE SWORD
KEYBOARD CONTROLS
[Q] = Up
[Z] = Down
[I] = Left
[P] = Right
[SPACE] = Fire
Diagonal movements can be made by
combining the necessary key presses.
OTHER INGAME KEYS
[F1] = Abort Gameplay
[F7] = Pause/Continue Gameplay
FIGHTING
Once Usagi's sword is drawn, he is in
fighting mode. There are three attacking
movements:
PARRY: A quick press on the fire button.
SIDE-SWIPE: A slightly longer press on
the fire button.
OVERHEAD CUT: An even longer press on
the fire button.
In all cases, the sword is actually
moved when the fire button is released.
Try using the game's practise mode to
improve your fighting skills before
play.
RESPECT
Usagi must obey strict rules of
etiquette at all times if he is to
complete his quest.
Usagi should bow to persons of equal
status and he MUST bow to persons of
higher status, otherwise he will insult
them deeply. Anyone who sees Usagi with
his sword drawn will automatically
assume that he is hostile, so keep your
sword sheated until danger threatens.
Occasionally a passer-by will speak to
Usagi after he bows to them. These
messages can be very useful, as they
give clues to later stages in the game.
FINANCE
Money is measured in silver coins called
RYO. As a ronin, Usagi is noteably hard
up for cash. Some enemies carry money
which can be taken from their corpses
once they have been defeated. (This is
considered dishonourable, but a ronin
can't afford to be choosy).
Money can be used to obtain food. Bow
to the inn-keeper, then offer him money.
When the inn-keeper returns, Usagi will
eat, restoring a number of lost
hit-points.
Money can be used for gambling. Pay the
gambler some money, and you will be told
whether you have won or lost. Your Ryo
level will then increase or decrease
accordingly.
Money may also be given as alms to monks
and beggars.
KARMA
As Usagi performs good acts, giving alms
to the servants of Buddha or vanquishing
enemies, he will gain KARMA.
If he strikes helpless opponents,
hassles small animals or kills priests,
he loses karma.
If Usagi's karma ever drops to
zero, overcome with shame, he will be
forced to take the only honourable way
out... hara-kiri!
Karma is also carried forward to future
lives.
CHOICES OF PATH
There are several points during the game
when Usagi will be given a choice of
paths, or a doorway to enter.
If you wish Usagi to change to the upper
path, or enter a doorway, then position
him beneath the entrance and move him
UP. Usagi will now move off along the
new path.
LORD NORIYUKI
Lord Noriyuki is a young panda who has
just come of age as the leader of his
clan. Usagi must find him, and prevent
the minions of Lord Hikiji from killing
him.
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Some useful keyboard shortcuts
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[PAUSE] - stop/continue game
[F9] - quick load game state
[F12] - quick save game state (still stored after leaving the site)
[F11] - toggle fullscreen mode
[ScrollLock] - quick switch control ports
[PageDown] - make a screenshot (320x200)