Name: Mouri Mototsu (10.00% in 1 votes)
Type: STG
Platform: WINDOWS
Company: Koei Japan
Release date: 1998
Reviewed by: Darklord
Mouri Mototsu is a historical strategy RPG brought to you by the famous Koei Co. of Japan. It is the third volume in the Koei Hero Chronicle Series. The previous volume dealt with the life of Shokatsuryo, the famous strategist from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. And if you enjoyed that game, then you'll feel right at home here.
Basically, Mouri Mototsu is part NHK samurai drama, part SLG, with a handful of slick anime sequences tossed in. If you felt Nobunaga's Ambition had too much freedom and not enough story, this game should definitely appease you.
Historically, Mouri Mototsu started his life as a minor daimyo during the warring kingdom period in today's southeastern Japan. Through clever strategies and poweress in battle, Mototsu lead his clan to dominate the region, but he and his family never reached the level of Oda Nubunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, or Tokugawa Ieyasu. Here, unlike real history, you will be able to lead the Mouri Clan to claim Shogunate over Japan.
Game Play: 7/10
This game basically has two main components: an adventure phase and a SLG battle phase. In the adventure phase, your character travels around the fief recruiting artisans and retainers, getting information from peasants, and prepare for the next battle by making new weapons and drilling troops. Once you feel your preparation is complete, it's time to go to the main hall and declare war on your unfortunate enemies. There are almost 30 battles total in this game, so it definitely will keep you occupied for a long time. However, thing does gets a little repetative by chapter 25 or so.
Story: 7/10
The story feels like a NHK drama, with a cast of characters that is almost too big to follow, loose ends that doesn't get tied up, and quite a bit of melodrama in between. However, what shines through here is the ability to follow Mori Mototsu from his youth to death, and then take over with his grandson. Along the way, you will see friends and enemies getting old and replaced by their heirs, which really give yout a sense of time passing and dynasty building.
Graphic: 6/10
The anime cut-scenes were very slick. Unfortunately, there were only five of them. Moreover, the rest of the game graphics were quite disappointing, especially the battle scenes. It was disappointing because everything still looks like they belong in the early 90's. Without the anime cut-scenes, the graphic score would only be a 4.
Music: 9/10
The music score added just the right epic touch to the game. It sets the appropriate mood for things, and really enriched the game experience.
Overall: 7/10
Hardcore fans of Koei games and fans of NHK samurai dramas should not miss this game (for them the rating should be a 9/10). However, if you're looking for eye candys or don't like turn based SLG battles, then Mouri Mototsu is probably not your slice of pie.
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