Commands are input and pre-recorded sequences showing the characters performing their moves/etc. are played as a result; these attacks can be dodged, blocked, or countered. There are solutions to most actions, I.E. block breakers, counter-counters (which lead to long strings of countering) etc. The CPU is extremely difficult to defeat. A variety of characters are selectable, each with their own theme songs and actions; there are also two unplayable (by default, anyway) boss characters. The first player controller defaults to the hero's side while the second player's controller defaults to the villain's side, although the first player gets to pick who's who! CONTROLS: There are a number of universal functions that apply to all characters. The controller's buttons perform the following functions: I = tauntII = guard, parry, dodge, duck, etc. direction presses are also necessary depending on the enemy's actions.III = light attackIV= heavy attackV = jump VI = Special Double tapping up or down will make you close in on or build space between you and your opponent, respectively. UNIVERSAL TECHNIQUES ProximityMove NameCommand close or far Strong high attack Up, heavy attack close or far Light high attack Up, light attack close or far Strong low attack Down, heavy attack close or far Light low attack Down, light attack far Jumping attack Jump, down, heavy attack close or far Persuit While opponent is down, jump, heavy attack close Upper attack (Kliph side only) diagonal up-right, heavy attack far bullet attack (Kliph side only) Left, light attack far bullet attack (Empire side only) Right, light attack far burning assault (Kliph side only) Half circle back, special (special conditions required?) DESPERATION MOVES: These can only be performed if you have 1/4 or less of your life bar remaining. Some are unblockable! REPUBLIC OF KLIPH ProximityMove NameCommand Close or far Tricky combo (light) Down, left, down, right, special Close or far Superfast attack (light) Right, right, special Close or Far Tricky Combo (heavy) Up, left, up, right, special Close or Far Superfast attack (heavy) Left, left, right, special HOLY DARK EMPIRE ProximityMove NameCommand Close or far Tricky combo (light) Down, right, down, left, special Close or far Superfast attack (light) Left, left, special Close or far Tricky Combo (heavy) Up, right, up,, left, special Close or far Superfast attack (heavy) right, right, left, special STORY Our protagonist, Kai, is the prince of one of the countries in the Republic of Kliph. Recently his father has disappeared, and the longtime enemies of the Kliph, calling themselves the "Holy Dark Empire" have staged a coup and taken control of all the countries in Kliph; Led by the ruthless Emperor Götz von Dark they have quickly suppressed most resistance. However, due to an old martial tradition, the Holy Dark Empire holds an annual martial arts competition and this year the Emperor himself is participating. Kai and his friends will defeat him and re-establish peace in their homelands! THE REPUBLIC OF KLIPH Our heroes, the good guys! They're fighting for freedom from the Holy Dark Empire and to restore peace to their homelands. Kai Yuki Han Grand Gray HOLY DARK EMPIRE Nobody who willingly refers to themselves as a "dark empire" can be up to anything good! Alamis Cassiopeia Shyu Götz von Dark UNPLAYABLE BOSSES (apparently usable via a code, though) Zero True Götz von Dark
