Hokuto Musō: Difference between revisions

*Players can play under three different styles found among characters: the Hokuto, Nanto, or Unique Type.

**Hokuto style users can pinpoint their opponent's secret pressure points at various times, allowing their character to deal critical damage.

**Nanto fighters can use a unique technique called ''Migiri Kougeki'' (''Timely Strike'' in the English release), which allows the characters to see openings in their opponent's attacks. When the player and their opponent simultaneously perform a strong attack, a select button may appear on the screen within that instant. If players successfully press the correct button within the moment it appears, the Nanto fighter will instantly evade the attack and perform a counter. For a short time afterward, the Nanto fighter will have stronger normal attacks and a different, more powerful charge attack.

**Unique types, like Mamiya and Jagi, rely on a technical perspective and can use weapons for special attacks against their foes. They are made for veteran players who want to use trickier characters.

*A skill point system similar to recent ''Warriors'' titles also appears in the game. The main difference with ''Hokuto Musou'' is that players need to equip particular skills in order to expand their character's learning curve. As more battles are cleared, players can choose to learn whatever techniques, legendary techniques, and secondary abilities they desire for each character via a "meridian chart" that is set up to resemble that character's own pressure points.. Skill points are earned by collecting glowing balls, or "karma", found after defeating opponents in the field. They can also be earned by correctly performing a ''Musou Ranbu'', trashing objects for scrolls, completing missions, or by finishing a stage with a sound performance.

*Players can perform an instant guard, or "Just Guard", against an opponent's blows to open opportunities for more combos. It require precise timing with the '''L1''' trigger (PS3) to pull off the technique.

*Characters can also grab opponents, climb walls, or pick and throw items with the '''R2''' trigger (PS3). They may also need to destroy objects to clear alternative paths through an area. Pressing '''R2''' and triangle (PS3) or Y button (Xbox 360) re-adjusts the camera in a target position for players.

*Each character can perform, ''Touki Kakusei'', which momentarily increases the powers of their characters by sacrificing the "[[musou|Touki]]" gauge. It can be activated by tapping the '''L2''' trigger (PS3) or the Left bumper (Xbox 360).

*Tapping circle (PS3) or B button (Xbox 360) lets players use their character's various techniques from the comic. These deadly techniques (or ''ougi'') act as the character's type of "musou" in this game, allowing limited invincibility and massively damaging a target. When a technique is used, the game will momentarily freeze the action on the field until the move is completed. The nature of implementing a technique varies with each character.

*Characters are allowed to have multiple techniques at once and they can be rotated by tapping the '''R1''' trigger (PS3). There are several new techniques for characters that were made solely for this game.

*Each character has their unique legendary technique, or ''Shin Denshou Ougi'', which can instantly kill crowds of weak opponents if performed correctly.

*Another skill available to each character is the ''Musou Ranbu'', which is a special finishing blow that can only be used against weakened opponents in duels. During the sequence, players will need to input buttons that flash on the screen to pummel their foe with ''Fist of The North Star'' flare. The feature is executed in a similar manner as Duels in ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2]]'', except that players need to input a longer series of button combinations for a successful finish. Causing a mistake lowers the player's health as punishment.

*When a character is damaged, their model may change to reflect the changes in their life gauge. If Kenshiro is wounded by an explosion, for instance, portions of his shirt will be blown away. His clothing gradually regenerates over time.