Katanas

[Sam]

Katanas were the worst swords in the history of swordmanship.

[Loot]

Originally posted by Shirakani:

OP isn't actually wrong. Actual legit katana made during the time period, at least from then up until to the end of the Shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, was generally made with very poor grade metal as Japan had far inferior access to iron and even less steel. They also did not have the same forging techniques from the West.

But, if we're going to talk the DESIGN of the weapon, ok now that's something else. It's a very practical design for rapid slashing and, if Japan had a way to create a katana of equal steel quality as Western swords... the victor would be up in the air if a katana had to face a longsword.

The rest of everything is simply myth and romanticism. The katana is the most romanticised sword on the planet and it's abilities in media are often exaggerated to ridiculous levels. Its always associated with 'cutting faster than the eye can see' techniques when the reality is that outside of Iaijutsu/Battoujutsu, there aren't any such techniques at all.

But, fantasy is cool, so we accept it, and here we are.

Started watching the remake of Rurouni Kenshin. I wholeheartedly believe the Katana can cut through a 10ft thick stone statue with a blunt blade, when using a proper sword draw technique. Nothing you tell me can change my mind. :P

On a serious note, does this game have Battōjutsu? I do find the quickdraw into attack pretty dang cool.

[Shirakani]

Originally posted by Loot:

On a serious note, does this game have Battōjutsu? I do find the quickdraw into attack pretty dang cool.

Yep, 'showdowns' where instead of being sneaky asscreedy like, you decide to just play like a samurai and face up to enemies ie declare a challenge always have you start out in battoujutsu stance and you have to hold Square, then release it RIGHT as your opponent rushes you.

Do it correctly and it's an instant battoujutsu kill like you see in animes and what not. Screw up tho and you take HUGE damage. On hardest difficulty, screw up = instadeath.

For the entire game, either choosing to play asscreedy like, or just saying screw it to stealth and marching in the front door and kicking ass is always an open option.

[Loot]

Originally posted by Shirakani:

Originally posted by Loot:

On a serious note, does this game have Battōjutsu? I do find the quickdraw into attack pretty dang cool.

Yep, 'showdowns' where instead of being sneaky asscreedy like, you decide to just play like a samurai and face up to enemies ie declare a challenge always have you start out in battoujutsu stance and you have to hold Square, then release it RIGHT as your opponent rushes you.

Do it correctly and it's an instant battoujutsu kill like you see in animes and what not. Screw up tho and you take HUGE damage. On hardest difficulty, screw up = instadeath.

For the entire game, either choosing to play asscreedy like, or just saying screw it to stealth and marching in the front door and kicking ass is always an open option.

I can't wait. Been wanting a good Samurai game for such a long time.

[Shirakani]

Originally posted by Loot:

I can't wait. Been wanting a good Samurai game for such a long time.

Yeah you'll love this. One of the main reasons it did so well is due to its accuracy when it comes to the samurai combat aspect. It nails literally every aspect that fans of the genre want (including a fair amount of romanticism) while still staying heavily grounded in reality.

Certain other techniques from Ruroken, at least the ones that are 'real' and not total fantasy, are also depicted, including an actual true to life ver of Saitoh's Gatotsu (just more realistic, without the left handed aspect and the fantasy power level) ie the 'Hiratsuki'.

You can sheath your katana at any time (tho don't do it in combat, long animation = you hung out to dry... unless you have a quiet moment) and then run and quickdraw slash from that stance as well. Battoujutsu isn't limited to just the showdowns but the showdowns are where it's the coolest, especially the way the enemy stumbles awkwardly after effectively eating the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki (kek) and then falls over lifeless while Jin just stands there like a badass holding the stance.