******************************************************************** NINJA GAIDEN ******************************************************************** Ninja Gaiden walkthrough (XBOX) V.1 (March 9, 2004) V.1.25 (March 9, 2004) V. 1.50 (March 13, 2004) V. 1.75 (March 20, 2004) Author: Celsius (Me, the one typing this) ######################### Table Of contents (CTRL + F if you need help finding) ######################### I. Contact information II. Disclaimer III. Version history IV. Game information a. Staring information b. Controls c. Gameplay basics V. Inventory i. POWER-UP ITEMS ii. RESTORATION ITEMS iii. ARMLETS iv. PROJECTILE WEAPONS v. MELEE WEAPONS vi. NINPO vii. TECHNIQUE SCROLLS VI. Karma VII. Chapter Listing VIII. Walkthrough A. The Way Of The Ninja B. The Hayabusa Village C. Skies Of Vengeance D. Imperial City Infiltration E. City Of Fiends F. The Monastary G. Hidden Underground H. Tairon Under Alert I. Military Supply Base J. The Aquaduct K. The Path To Zarkhan L. The Caverns M. The Fiendish Awakening N. Vengeful Spirit O. The Core Q. The Dark Dragon Blade IX. Successive Play information X. Bestiary XI. Combat 101 i. Infinte enemy respawn ii. Moving faster iii. Dragon Sword/Plasma Saber iv. Vigoorian Flails/Nunchaku v. War Hammer vi. Dabilahro vii. Kitetsu viii. Unlabored Flawlessness ix. Dark Dragon Blade x. Ninpo XII. Credits XIII. Affilates ============ I. Contact ============ Contact info: AIM - Sin Serenity; MSN: Subliminal_Celsius@hotmail.com; Emails - Subliminal_Celsius@crapmail.com, Subliminal_celsius@hotmail.com ------ II. DISCLAIMER------ This FAQ is for personal use only. You are not allowed to use it for profit. (ie: selling this) Please DO NOT rip off any part of this guide, and you arenot allowed to use it as a basis for making your own. You are allowed however, to post this FAQ/Walkthrough on your non-commercial/non-profit website. provided that the entire content of this document remains as is. And last, if you wish to post this guide on your site please inform me. This document may be printed out for personal use. This FAQ is a copyright of (c) Celsius If you would like to add any advice, another alternative, comment, or otherwise, feel free to contact me. ------ II. DISCLAIMER------ <===================> III. Version history <===================> v.1 MARCH 9, 2004 - I am forgetful, and will be updating this as I uncover more, & remember more, please share the patience. V. 1.25 MARCH 10 2004 - Fixed some typos, and added some things, including full walkthrough of chapter 10 for those of you having trouble. I promise to have at least a guide up to Chapter 13 by Friday. V. 1.50, MARCH 13, 2004 - Well, I lied. Hopefully I made it worth your while, though. This won't be the last update, though, but will most likely be, for a while. V. 1.75, MARCH 20, 2004- What I believe will be my last update for quite a while. I've made little changes here and there and mostly completed this guide but can't consider it a FINAL just yet. Thanks to everyone and sorry if you feel I left you out in credits, but I got so many messages that not only were some people late getting information to me, I could almost not keep track. ALSO keep in mind that this FAQ is written on my own experience and preferences. So if I say a boss is hard, that is not only because I thought it so, but others had problems with that certain boss, I'm going by the majority. If it's easy for you, fine, but don't whine to me about it, please. Also thanks for the e-mails and I have given credit to the whole lot of ya' that I felt really deserved it. <=====================> IV. Game information <=====================> a. <-Starting information-> Platform: Xbox Genre: Action Release date: March 2, 2004 Publisher: Tecmo Developer: Team Ninjas ESRB: Mature - Blood & Gore, strong violence Players: 1 Memory units: 8 blocks Supports: - HDTV 480p - In-game Dolby(R) Digital - Content Download - Scoreboards - Xbox LIVE enabled b.<-Controls-> |Left trigger| Block |Left thumbstick| Movement, attack command input, precision aiming with bow and arrow |Start button| Start game, pause game, display inventory screen |Right trigger| Center camera behind player |Y| Strong attack, (Hold to charge), special attacks, combo finishers, etc. |X| Basic attack, action button (interact), confirm selections |B| Use projectile weapon (secondary weapons, like shuriken, bow & arrow) |A| Jump, move forward underwater |Black button| Display map |White button| Display karma (points) |Right thumbstick| 1st person mode <=================> c. GAMEPLAY BASICS <=================> <-MOVEMENTS-> Walking & Running ----------------- Use left thumbstick to run, lean it slightly to walk. Jump ---- Use A button to jump Melee weapon attack ------------------- Both X and Y button are used for meel attacks; Y button is capable of more intense, but slower attacks. X is basic attack, use both in combinations accordingly. Projecticle weapon attack ------------------------- Use projecticle weapons with the B button, can also be used while jumping. Ninpo ----- Ninpo are powerful magic attacks. Press both Y and B buttons simultaneously to activate the currently equipped Ninpo. Blocking -------- Use left trigger to block enemy attacks. Interact -------- Press the X button when you see the interact display on the screen to interact with the objects in the enviornment. Wall Running ------------ You can run on walls by jumping diagonally towards a wall, and continuing to hold down the left thumbstick. By jumping straight at walls, you can run right up them for a limited distance and time. Wall running jump ----------------- You can also jump in the middle of a wall run. This will take some practice but is crucial on later levels when you must use wall running jump to wall running jump! Flying Bird Flip ---------------- Jump while running straight up a wall to back flip off. This technique may get you to new places. Wall clinging ------------- When jumping on a wall, let go of the left thumbstick right after impact on the wall to perform a wall cling for a short period of time. You can also jump from a wall cling. Hanging ------- - If there is a handhold after running up a wall, you can hang on the edge. - If there is a handhold such as a rail or bar, you can hang by jumping and clinging onto it. - When running near a ledge, you will often not fall off, but be able to hang instead of running off. Swinging -------- Jumping foward strongly in front of poles and branches to swing on them. Press A button to jump off, making use of your momentum. Reverse Wind Technique ---------------------- Leaning the left thumbstick in the desired direction while blocking performs the Reverse Wind Technique, a basic rolling maneuver. Use it to dodge enemy attacks. Wind Run Technique ------------------ Pressing the X and A buttons simultaneously allows you to perform the Wind Run, a jump that homes in on the nearest enemy. Swimming -------- Use left thumbstick to point yourself in deseired direction, press A to swim. Running on water --------------- When stepping off land onto water (you must step off, not jump), press the A button rapidly to run across a surface of water. Bow and Arrow (Precision aiming) -------------------------------- Hold down the B button the draw the bow and then press the left thumbstick to enter 1st person aiming. Use left thumbstick to aim, release B to shoot, you can zoom up to two steps by pressing the right trigger. [Other techniques and information] ESSENCE - There are three types |Yellow| Most common, used to buy items or upgrade weapons. |Blue| Restores some of Ryu's health |Red| Restores some or Ryu's Ki power. The affect of the essence can be determined by size. i.e. A small blue essence will only restore a small portion of your health. ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES ------------------- After defeating enemies, essence is released. If you press and hold the Y button, you will absorb nearby essence and become charged with power until ready to explode. This is when you should release the Y button. You will release an ultimate attack, according to what weapon you have at the time, and what move you perform while charged, and attack a nearby enemy with this. Enemies defeated by this release more essence than normal! A good breeder for more essence. Remember nearby essence you absorb with this only counts as 1/5 of the amount you would normally recieve. And do NOT forget, you are very vunerable while charging. <=========================================> V. INVENTORY <=========================================> i. POWER-UP ITEMS |Life of the Gods| Increases Ryu's health gauge permanently for ever 9 you find and use. |Spirit of the Devils| Increases Ryu's Ki power gauge by one. |Jewel of the Demon Seal| Increases the level of one of the Ninpo attacks |Lives of the Thousand Gods| Increases Ryu's health gauge instantly. ii. RESTORATION ITEMS |Elixir of Spiritual Life| A spiritual elixir that heals Ryu's wounds slightly. [Max: 10] |Great Spirit Elixir| A spiritual elixir that completely heals Ryu's wounds. [Max: 5] |Elixir of the Devil Way| A spiritual elixir that replinishes Ryu's Ki power slightly [Max: 5] |Great Devil Elixir| A spiritual elixir that replinishes Ryu's Ki power greatly [Max: 3] |The Talisman Of Rebirth| A talisman that protects it's owner. When Ryu's health is fully depleted, it will automatically revive him. [Max: 3] iii. ARMLETS |The Armlet Of the Sun| An Armlet engraved with a picture of the sun. When equipped, Ryu's attack power will increase. (Purchase, 5,000, available after a certain amount of Golden Scarabs) |The Armlet of the Moon| An armlet engraved with a picture of the moon. When equipped, Ryu's defensive power will increase. (Purchase, 5,000, available after a certain amount of Golden Scarabs) |The Armlet of Benediction| An armlet emblazoned with the figure of a goddess. When equipped, increases Ryu's yellow essence absorbtion. (Available after 15 Golden Scarabs) |The Armlet of Fortune| An armlet emblazoned with the figures of two elephants. When equipped, increases Ki power buildup. (Available after 30 Golden Scarabs) |The Armlet of Tranquility| An armlet engraved with the picture of an angel. When equipped, it gradually replinishes Ryu's health. (Available after 40 Golden Scarabs) iv. PROJECTILE WEAPONS |Shuriken| A simple cross-shaped throwing star. |Incendiary Shuriken| A shuriken with a small timer-detonated explosive at the tip. Can be found in chapter 6, archive room in Monastery) [Max: 20] |Windmill Shuriken| A giant shuriken with four folding blades. When thrown, it returns to the thrower like a boomerang. (Can be found in chapter 4, wall jumps in the alley across from Han's bar) |Bow and arrow| As a projectile that makes no sound, it is of great use to Ninja during their covert activities. (Can be found in chapter 2, room with Murasama statue) [Max: 10] |Strongbow| A composite bow made in Vigor in medieval times. It cannot be pulled by people of average strength. (Can be found in chapter 8, second floor of building where skull key allows access to) [Max: 15] |APFSDS Cores| The core section of tank shells. Made from a heavy tungsten material, they have superb penetration ability. (Can be found in chapter 9) [Max: 15] |Explosive Arrows| Arrows wotj explosive tips. Very destructive. (Can be found in chapter 9) [Max: 15] v. MELEE WEAPONS |Dragon Sword| "A Japanese sword passed down through the generations in the Hayabusa Ninja Clan. It is said to have been carved out of the fang of a dragon." Max level: *** |True Dragon Sword| "The legendary ultimate form of the Dragon Sword, achieved by fitting the Dragon's Eye into it." /\Location/\ Found in chapter 13, at Hayabusa Village graveyard -------------------------------------------------- Max level: N/A |Nunchaku| A weapon made by joining two sticks together with a chain. It is very suited to free-form combo attacks. /\Location/\ (Found in chapter 4, on the corpse of the ninja near Pleasure street.) Max level: N/A |Vigoorian Flail| "A weapon used by Medieval Vigoorians. It can be swung like Nunchakus in combat." /\Location/\ Found in chapter 6, right before Ritual Room. Right near the entrance to Tomb Of Eons Max level: ** |War Hammer| "Rachel's War Hammer. A Fiend Hunter's weapon, it is suitable for taking the heads off fiends." /\Location/\ Can be found on Chapter 8. Go back to where you fought Alma, and it should be on the left portion in the Altar Hall, lying amongst ruins. Max level: ** |Dabilahro| "A two-handed sword used by ancient Vigoorian Berserkers. Due to it's 100-pound heft, it is very powerful." /\Location/\ Obtained by turning in 20 Golden Scarabs. Max level: *** |spear Gun| An auto-reloading spear gun. It is not of much use outside water. /\Location/\ Can be found in Chapter 11, The Moat of Zarkhan, in the Island in the Moat. Max level: N/A |Kitetsu| "The weapon used by Doku, it is a cursed Japanese sword that feeds on the souls of those it slays." /\Location/\ At the very spot where Doku was defeated. VERY hard to miss, as you start off next to it. Max level: N/A |Dark Dragon Blade| "An Evil blade that has been sealed away by the Hayabusa Ninja Clan. Chaos brings out it's hellish power." /\Location/\ This can only be obtained on a successive save play through. On Chapter 13, upon using the teleporter and arriving in Hayabusa village, remember the room you had to go through where you first get the bow and arrow? Well, before you drop down in that room, the Dark Dragon Blade rests on the 2nd floor. Max level: N/A |Plasma Saber| "A state-of-the art weapon that uses a magnetic field to contain a stream of superheated plasma." /\Location/\ Obtained by holding down left trigger when starting new game, after beating Ninja Gaiden. It must be a brand new game and not successive save. Max level: *** |Plasma Saber Mk. II| "A upgraded version of the Plasma Saber, in which the plasma oscilliator has been tuned to the maximum." /\Location/\ Obtained in Chapter 13 while playing with Plasma Saber. You get it in the same way you got the True Dragon Sword. |Wooden Sword| "A sword made from wood. It is used mainly to practice sword fighting and it is incapable of cutting attacks." /\Location/\ Can be bought from Murasama on any chapter after Chapter 1, for 500. Max level: ******* |Unlabored Flawlessness| The true form of the Wooden Sword. Containing an ethereal sense of weight, it's impacts are incredibly powerful." /\Location/\ This is what the Wooden Sword turns into after being upgraded seven times. Max level: N/A vi. NINPO |The Art of the Fire Wheels| "Allows Ryu to control the spiritual waveforms around himself and create fire wheels that circle him." /\Location/\ Impossible to miss, you get it at the Altar. Max level: N/A |The Art of the Inferno| "Allows Ryu to control fire at will, first enveloping him in flame and then shooting a fireball in front of him." /\Location/\ Can be bought from Murasama for 1000, in Chapter 2 and any after. Max level: *** |The Art of the Ice Storm| "Allows Ryu to quickly change the atmosphere around him, creating a whirlwind containing shards of ice." /\Location/\ On the corpse of a Ninja in the Hidden Underground, Chapter 7 Max level: *** |The Art of the Inazuma| "Allows Ryu to amplify his internal bioelectric current and blast it out to the surrounding area." /\Location/\ After defeating the first Eel in Chapter 10, it is an obvious pick-up on the ground where the Eel was. Max level: *** VI. <====================> Karma <====================> - Karma are total points to show your overall performance. Karma is the factor of your level score, the rankings go in A to F status, like this: [Master Ninja] A [Head Ninja] B [Greater Ninja] C [Lesser Ninja] D [Ninja Dog] F The factors of your ranking are: TIME KILLS ESSENCE NINPO To get a good score: Time - Try to have it low. Really helps the score. TIME IS STILL COUNTED WHEN GAME IS PAUSED!!! Kills - Probably the least biggest factor, but still it helps to kill everyone you come across ONCE as quick as possible. Essence - The overall amount of essence you got. Ultimate techniques and multi-hit combos will really help this. Ninpo - This doesn't matter until the end of the level. Make sure you have your entire ki meter full to get the points. Easiest factor. Extra: I once got 0 points for my time, but got everything else very high in score. Apparently it is not essential to get top score in EVERY category as I got Master Ninja on that leve, just shoot for it, though. vii. <===========================> TECHNIQUE SCROLLS <===========================> There are only three technique scrolls in the game. Because you can get 2 of them at anytime, you may miss them. Don't, and save yourself the trouble. |Counter Attacks| [Can be obtained after beating Chapter 2 boss] Gleaiming Cross - While blocking, X Fiend's Bane Kick - While blocking, Y |Gullotine Throw| (Can be obtained on Ninja's body in Military Gate area.) Gullotine Throw - While jumping foward, at an enemy, press Y (Make sure your sword is not drawn or you do this right on time, otherwise you'll end up doing another arial attack, like Flying Swallow) |Izuna Drop| [Can be purchased in Chapter 2 and so on for 1000] Izuna Drop - A throw attack; X, Y, X, X, X, Y VII. <======================> Chapter Listing <======================> 1. The Way of the Ninja 2. The Hayabusa Ninja Village 3. Skies Of Vengeance 4. Imperial City Infiltration 5. The City of Fiends 6. The Monastery 7. Hidden Underground 8. Tairon Under Alert 9. The Military Supply Base 10. The Aquaduct 11. The Path To Zarkhan 12. The Caverns 13. The Fiendish Awakening 14. Vengeful Spirit 15. The Core 16. The Dark Dragon Blade VIII. |===========================================================================| A. {Chapter 1} The Way of the Ninja "In the mountains of Autumn, there is one who walks the path of the Ninja..." |===========================================================================| Start off by running foawrd and jumping on the ledges, wall running up the wall, hoisting yourself u[, and then running up the tree. Get ready to fight. Just two brown ninjas. VERY weak. Just be mindful there is one behind you. It should only take you a few seconds to kill them each. There are two elixirs in this area, so make sure you grab them before heading in the cave. Wall jump to the ledge, and make quick work of the ninjas in the hallway. Once you go up the mine shaft, you will be at the Ninja Fortress, greeted by two ninjas again. I Once you reach a room with a Samurai suit of armor in the background, in a hallway this ninjas, take notice of this armor. Grab the elixirs by it. You will need something to get the key in it's hand! Continue onward, and grab the item from the box, again, you have ninjas to contend with. This item will permanently increase your health. Now slash the wallboard, and run through. Do not fight the ninjas, they're an annoyance and waste of time. Just go over to the obvious trap door at the end of the room. There are two items you need down here, so grab them. Make your way out of the cave, and up, but watch out for the ninjas on the ramp, the camera can be a hinderance here. Grab the talisman from the box before dropping down. Now go back to where you saw the samurai armor, insert the face, grab key. Continue to the room with the trap door, only this time, avoid it, and cut down the wallboard. The statue with a floating dragon is a save point. I recommend you save! Go up the stairs and over the bridge. White ninjas here. Better than the ninja you have fought so far, but still weak. Go through the door and prepare for a fight with more white ninjas. Make sure to come out of this relatively in good health if you're low on health items. Now press on, through the door. It's time for the boss fight, and the end of chapter 1! ____________________________________________________________________________ |Murai| - Boss Murai is a very big, powerful guy. He is suprisingly fast with his attacks, but his range is limited and he is predictable. There is a potion in the vase to the left. His attacks to watch out for are his basic three hit combo, his throw, and charge. Shurikens are useless here. If you want to be cheap, or safer, do wall attacks on him. You may also damage him right after he charges or does a combo. Do not get into a battle of attrition(rage) against him, do not jump over him, and don't try and be a show off. After his health is down to 3/4, the battle ends. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ********Golden Scarabs********* - None |===========================================================================| B. {Chapter 2} The Hayabusa Ninja Village "The village is burning. Before long, Ryu hears the screams of his brethren..." |===========================================================================| Go back to where you started the level, and then go towards the screen. The doors will be open. Grab the ninpo scroll, and go down the lift. You'll have a few samurais to deal with here. They're not too smart or strong vitality wise. Continue through the forest. Run across the wall and grab the item from the box. In the next area, you encounter a samurai mage. Focus on him first. Pretty easy to kill, just quick and he can cast a mean fireball. Grab the map of Hayabusa village up the tree, then jump across the broken bridge. Pull yourself up on the ledge and then turn to see an alcove. Here you must step off the ledge and run across the water. Your reward? A Life of the Gods. Go save your game and head into the village. In the village, you will find a ninja with an elixir on his body. Beware the samurai here, also. here will be a statue head, put it back on the statue near the entrance to recieve a life of the gods. Now where you see the open window, wall run up these, and drop down inside. You can buy some elixirs here, or whatever else you feel, I'd recommend buying an elixir or two if you need it, and saving the rest of your money. Pick up the bow, go outside and be prepared to fight some samurais. The least of your worries, as once you jump over some wreckage, you will be fighting some samurai on horses. Grab arrows as needbe of the ninja's corpse. Get out of their way while they're coming towards you and fire two areas to knock them off. You will have to fight a total of four. Two, then two. Go on, and get ready for the next boss fight. ____________________________________________________________________________ |Samurai on horse| This can be very hard/annoying or easy. What will make it hard, are his minions, the samurai mages. They have an unblockable fireball, teleport, and are very quick at striking. They are useful for giving you health, or other essence, if you want to hit the boss with an ult.attack Now, you can kill them off eventually, so if you don't mind taking your time, do this. Then all you have to do is hit him with arrows, and use your ninpo, which will really mess him up. Overall, use your ninpo when he is close and use hit and run attacks on his horse, because if you leave his minions alone, you probably won't be able to get a good shot with arrows. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Grab the scroll for the counter technique (you'll be needing it), then sit back and watch the pretty movie... **********Golden Scarabs*********** - None |===========================================================================| C. {Chapter 3} Skies Of Vengeance "The Hayabusa Village has burned, and The Dark Dragon Blade is gone. Ryu has stowed aboard an Airship headed for the Vigoor Empire. His goal: vengeance..." |===========================================================================| Check every room in this portion of this ship, to get items. You will run into MSATs here, they come in two forms. One uses a gun and has a shield, along with being able to punch and kick, and the other has a stun rod. Don't let em' grab you. You must kill all of them at the end of the corridor and get the key. Take note of the door behind you. When you get the ID card, you will want to come back to that door and go into that room for 3 items you must have. In here, you will see two staircases. The one on your left leads you to Murasama's shop. IMMEDIATELY buy the upgrade for your blade overall else. (3000) If you still have 1000 left, I recommend Izuna drop afterwards. At least start saving up for this anyways. Don't bother with the other stairway, instead head to the other doors. Go to the first door on the left. In the kitchen, the box has a Life of the Gods. Go to the other door on the right side. Be prepared for a fight in the Crews Quarters. Go through the white door, then in the hallway, the door across from you. Pick up the scarab, then down the elevator. Go through the other door, and in the Helm, be prepare for another fight. After that, grab the ID card, and enter the fore cabin for an item. Go back the way you came. Now that you have an ID card, you can access that door I was talking about earlier. Remember it? Near the beginning of the level, go back there. You need to get on the top crates in here and get to the back of the room. Now go back down that stair case and through the door left of the save point. Once you start the crank, you'll be interupted by more enemies. When they're done, finish. Before you jump on the wire on the right to shimmy across, take care of the guards with your arrows. Once over there, take out the guy hiding by the otherside, and break the window. Jump through, smash all the machinery, then go back to the area near the captains quarters. You'll have to take out guards along the way. Continue through this room until you reach a ladder that you can climb up. Instead of climbing up it, wall jump several times between the walls until you reach an opening near the top. Go to the back and flip the switch. Go back, drop down and climb up the ladder. Now it's time for the captain to go down with his... zepplin. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Cyborg Captain| He looks very imposing, I know, but he's really somewhat of a pushover. His attacks do pack power. Make sure your Dragon Sword is at level two before this. Why? You can totally own this guy with Flying Swallow attacks (jump towards him and press Y in mid-air). If you're at a distance, he will use his gun, but it can be dodged. At mid-range, he will try to swipe at you, and if you stay behind him and attack, you will be sorry unless you are quick and know his pattern. Hit and run attacks are good here. His pattern is easy to follow, so once you get the hang of it... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ************Golden Scarabs*************** 1. By window in Captain's quarters 2. In back of room over the crates in the large room by the Living Quarters. 3. In Gas Compartment Passageway, run up large metal box, then run up wall and do a flip off, and land on the catwalk. |===========================================================================| D. {Chapter 4} Imperial City Infiltration "Ryu has escaped from the crash of the Airship. Spread out before him is the city of Tairon, capital of the Vigoor Empire..." |===========================================================================| You probably want to save. Jump down and take care of the MSATs. In the Twin Serphents Plaza, be on the lookout for the opening in the fenced in area, and get the item in the box. You can only go one way here, so go that way and kill more MSATS. At the military gate, grab the technique scroll off of the ninja's body. The Gulliontine throw! Very, very useful and easy to use. Will kill the white guards instantly. Now head through the other door, after the fight (take out the dude with the grenade launcher first), kill more guards. Go through the alley before going down the stairs, pick up the first of three stone tablets and unlock the gate for a shortcut to be use d later. Now go back down those stairs. At the area with stairs, take out the two guards with your arrows. Jump up to the area of the wall with blue lining and you will be able to shimmy over this somewhat disguised part. When you are on the ledge where the guard was, stop, there will be two guards on the balcony, take them out with arrows, then shimmy across on the wire. Pick up the Lives of the Thousand Gods to get a health increase. Jump down and go through the door on your far right. In the Clock Tower Plaza, head to your left, pick up the nunchakus off of the dead ninja. Then head to your right. However, if you decide to go up the stairs, beware to fight the toughest of enemies at this point in the game! !!!!!!!!!!!!Black Spider Clan Ninjas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are strong, they are quick, and they are very cheap with those incenidary kunai! Usually they show in groups of 3 to 4. Never focus on just one. Some people suggest using nunchakus for multi-string combos, but I prefer just skill and use nothing but my dragon sword. Their kunai can be blocked. It will do minimal damage if you're blocking while one is stuck to you. Also move towards them when one is stuck to you, the explosion will harm one of them at least. Concentrate on brief slashes, lots of reverse winds (rolling), and Flying Swallow attacks. Wall attacks will also help. Izuna drop is perfect, too. Best of luck. Tip I heard: When you wall jump onto the platform, instead of just jumping right down, just jump to the left and get the chest, this will void the ninja battle! jump to the left, got the chest, and jumped straight to the door though, so you might need to jump straight to the door !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Use at own risk :P) Now, go back near the shop, and at the door with the green orbs, press the switch to unlock it then go through. Be prepared for some battles with the Black Spider Clan Ninjas here. For some currency help, go through the area behind the fenced in area, take care of the ninjas, and in the chest will be health and yellow essence. Now go back near the Great Bridge Square, but instead go to the stairs on the left. You will wall jump in the alley, and go along the rooftops, until you hit the switch to unlock the door with the jewels on it. Go through that door, and once you approach Han's bar, the man will tell you, that you need a ticket to get in. Save nearby, and go towards the alley across from the bar. You'll get a kunai scroll telling you of a legendary weapon... It's not that easy to get. You will want to jump at a high diagonal angle on the first wall for your first wall run, then jump to the other, and the other. It's tricky, as you need to jump off the third just right to land on the ledge over there where the weapon is. Ryu will not grab on the ledge even though you get close to it.. The weapon is worth it. It is the windmill shuriken! Also the Xbox looking machine in the corner will replenish all your health and ki. Go back to the old mans shop and talk to him, and exit out of that menu, then he will give you a ticket. Go back to the bar, and you will be treated to another movie, then that is the end of the chapter ***************Golden Scarabs************ 4. In fountain before Great Bridge Square 5. On balcony near dead ninja's corpse in same area (Golden Bridge Square area) 6. In alley where you get the Windmill shuriken 7. In the Drawbridge area, walk through Blue Gem door, walk halfway, until you see opening on both sides of you. On the right, is a scarab, do a wall run to the right and then jump to get it. |===========================================================================| E. {Chapter 5} City Of Fiends "Tairon is full of mysteries: strange creatures called Fiends and Rachel the Fiend Hunter. However, Ryu still has no clues to the whereabouts of Doku..." |===========================================================================| Grab items as you make your way back through Han's Bar, and you will have gotten a key. Go back to the area with the stairs and the guards on top that you shot with the bow, and the door on the left can be unlocked with the Lily key. Mop up your old MSAT friends in the alley here. Prepare to fight 3 black ninjas, then go through the hallways and up the stairs. Clear out more MSATS, grab the Pegasus key from the box. Go back to the hallways before the save point, use the pegasus key on the caged door and pull the switch for the drawbridge. Go across the bridge, up Drawbridge Hill, take care of 3 more black ninjas, and save. WARNING! Be prepared, as after this save point, you have quite a few fights coming up (including, of course, a boss), so make sure your ready. Head on near the Dworku monastery where you will have to fight some MSATS. After that, head right past the monastery, as the door is locked. Prepare for a fight against four black ninjas. Then be prepared to fight 3 more. Use your ninpo here to get past relatively unscathed, unless you want to gamble that you'll get some blue essence. After a brief MSAT fight, in the Monsatery Inner Clearing, get prepared for a little mini boss fight... ____________________________________________________________________________ |Three Red Dragons| At this point in the game, these dragons can tear you to shreds very easily. You want to be both cautious and cheap. Wall attacks are best for them. Even better, lure them to a wall, and when they run at you, dodge, they'll hit the wall and be stunned. So do a wall attack, then get in a combo and break away. Also, one ninpo attack to each does major damage. I have also found your strong attacks stop them completely in their tracks! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Right after this, you get no break. Rachel is capture by a fiend who confronts you. Time to save the girl... no sweat. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Tentacle Fiend| Easiest boss in the game! His only real attacks are his tentacles. They can be blocked. Flying Swallow and Air Destruction Slash are your friend here. You can use ninpo, but I see it as a waste of time. You can get in three combos before he grows back his tentacles, I prefer X, X, Y. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Another movie, end of chapter 5. **************Golden Scarabs************** 8. After you cross the drawbridge, you climb Drawbridge Hill and fight three ninjas at the summit, right in front of a save point. Turn right at the save point, and go down the hill. Keep an eye on the left wall. At the base of the hill, there are two very short alleys on the left. The first has a Scarab lying on the ground, the second has an Elixir of Spiritual Life. 9. In Draw Bridge Hill, there is a scarab in the same alcove as the save point |===========================================================================| F. {Chapter 6} The Monastery "It is said that there is a secret path leading to the Palace of Zarkhan underneath the Dworku Monastery..." |===========================================================================| Head up, grabbing what you need along the way. In the courtyard, before the entrance to the monastery, you will face a new enemy. They are actually weak but attack very fast and respawn via teleports. They'll be a bigger annoyance later. Head in the Monastery... In the Altar Hall, you will be greeted by your yellow Fiend friends and a new one, I like to call them "Reapers", they teleport around, hover, and carry scythes. They can also cast a mean spell on you if you stand in one place for too long. Take care of these guys ASAP. When all is said and done, head through the only door, the one on the left, go through the hallway, and the other door. Your goal in this room, after you take out the enemies, is the top floor. There are some books for you to grab, and halfway there are some items in glass that you may find useful. Available only after defeating all Fiends, though. Wall jump up until you reach a cracked wall. You should have the Incendiary Shuriken now (it was in the glass in the Archive below), throw it on the wall, and step through to the balcony after taking care of Fiends in the hallway. Take note of the items, then go through to the Monk's room on the otherside. Grab the Raptor, Deity of Sentiment, off the pedastal near the desk. Then read the diary: "It is the 27th day of the 12 month" I have received the Book of Eons as a birthday gift from His Majesty the Emperor. It is a great honor. I shall place it in the so that no one will take it." At the end of entry, there are notes reading, left, right, right, left Now the numbers may be different for you, I am not sure, but the two numbers in the dates of the journal mentioned are the four numbers you will be using. You turn it to the left to the 2, press X, to the right to the 7, press X, to the right to the 1, press X, and finally, to the left to the 2, press X. Take the Book Of Eons, and get ready to fight. Now after this, back in the Altar Hall, after finishing off these fiends, place the Book of Eons on the Altar, and drop down in the new entrance. Grab the map of the Underground Cemetery out of the box. In the Corridor of Doom (friendly name, hm?), before you go up, blow up the cracked wall. Then get ready to run! Once you make it out, you are in Econtra Babel Specus. (whatever that means...) Save. Take care of the bats, and go down... carefully. It's usually death if you fall, unless you get lucky and make it to a lower ledge. More bats down the shaft, then some fiends. Be careful not to fall off while fighting. Go through the gate to meet a new kind of Fiends. Nothing to worry about. Just horribly mutated wasps. Use your windmill shuriken, makes sushi out of them. If you make your jumps, there is a Life of the Gods in the chest. Golden Scarab on a ledge in here too. Go down the path then through the hallways until you reach a room with a switch. Jump up and press Y to activate it. On your way down, you'll have some fiends to keep you company... in the room at the bottom, you will find the Vigoorian Flail in a box. In the Ritual Room, slaughter all the insects mercilessly, and once you do, you're treated to a nice movie, and it is time for the awakening of the living dead... Zombies! And you're surrounded. Grab the chalice, you'll be needing it, and take care of the zombies. Best method is to do a Flying Swallow to take off their heads (and maybe one of their arms), and then use either your flails or dragon sword to beat down on them. Getting combos on zombies is really easy, they just take so much damage and are slow. But first things you want to take care of are the archers. They are very accurate and blocking arrows is a pain because it knocks you back so much. Kill them swiftly. Continue back the way you came. Your goal? Return to the first area with the fossil. The hardest part is that room with the chains at the bottom. There are zombie archers on the platforms. I would recommend using your fireball Ninpo to take out the first, then jumping to the next platform and blocking quickly. If possible, use fireballs on each so you won't get knocked down. Once done with this, you have some platforming to do to get back to where you have to. Put the chalice on the altar. Now it's time to put sleeping beauty to sleep, permanently... _____________________________________________________________________________ |Skeleton Dinosaur| The goal here is to disable each of his feet. The Dragon has four attacks, but one you will be hit by so rarely, there are really only three. The most dangerous is his lunging attack. It is easy to dodge, but it may catch you off guard unless you are a vigilant warrior. When attacking his feet, he will shoot out bones at you that can be blocked. So, get in a few slashes, block, then slashes again until he does something else. When he puts his foot down on the ledge, this can be considered an attack, because you can (rarely) get hit by this. I have only heard this, though, it never happened to me. Now, the last attack to watch out for is when he moves. You will have to jump over his tail twice. You cannot block this, just jump at the right time. Now that he is done, be VERY careful not to fall, or you will have to fight him over, seeing as you have not saved in a while. So go back to the area where the chains in the ground were, and proceed down... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ End of chapter 6. ***************Golden Scarabs*************** Chapter 6 10. In archive glass 11. In archive, room, just before the door to the balcony 12. In balcony area, left side as you are exiting from archive 13. After dropping down into the Underground Cemetary, it is right across 14. In the room where you first encounter the Wasp fiends, to the far left (if you are standing at top of the room) or to the far right alcove (if you come from the other entrance to room), run up the wall and there will be a golden scarab. You can get this scarab on your way up the room before fighting the Skeleton Dinosaur boss. 15. In the Tomb Of Eons, in a hole in the wall |=========================================================================| G. {Chapter 7} Hidden Underground "A dark underground world leading deeper and deeper. Does the path to Zarkhan truly exist?" |===========================================================================| **************************60 FIEND CHALLENGE!*********************** Go back to the ritual room after defeating the skeleton boss and you will face Zombie Fiends About the usual 60 PRIZE = Lives of the Thousand Gods ******************************************************************** Go back to the room where the huge chains hoist the metal floor plate up, and this is where the boss dropped, if you paid attention. Go through the hole he made, just drop down. Go through the door and be prepared for some zombie fiend archers. There are four and the hallway is narrow, giving them a slight advtange, so be quick to block. After this, you will run into one of the shop statues. You may (should) strengthen your Dragon Sword and/or Flails. Dragon Sword is a priority over Flails. Don't worry, you will get more cash throughout the level, and since zombies always respawn, in one particular place, if you have been turning in Golden Scarabs (about 15), this will greatly help. If you are missing one or two from this count, don't worry, there are two to be found soon, and more still in this chapter. You should save, then grab the items before heading on. IT IS POSSIBLE to not have the bridge destroyed. Easy thing, really. Just roll off/fall off the ledge instead of crossing the bridge. Once you are done with the Blue/Red Eye Chambers and beat the Tentacle Fiend, you may run across the bridge freely once up there without it being cut down. You've got a set of fights ahead of you. Unless you are confident to defeat all the fiends without using your items (assuming you have a precious amount), head through one of the doors. - The Chamber of the Red Eye One of the two chambers you must go through to progress. You have to press the red eye at the other end. The problems? Archers and pendulums. In this room, drop down and shoot arrows from them at the bottom to reduce your chances of being hit. Out of arrows or need more? Go to the Blue Eye chamber and grab arrows of the Ninja's corpse. After you take out the archers in the room, proceed across, remember getting hit by the pendulums will knock you off. The last part is hardest. Try to stay in the spiked area to avoid getting hit and try to go past the last pendulum ASAP. After you have pressed the button, back to the Blue Eye chamber - The Chamber of the Blue Eye Once you have taken out the archers here, to press they eye, you have to shoot the red panel with an arrow to your right. This creates a path to the button, for a limited time. You can also shoot the red panels above the pendulums to momentarily slow them. Watch out for the two breaks in the path near the end. You will want to wall run and then jump towards the button. After it's pressed, go back and through the new door. Here you have an little interruption. Remember him? _____________________________________________________________________________ |Tentacle Fiend, return| Same guy, nothing new, refer to my above strategy. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ After that, grab the item, and wall jump back up, thanks to the new wall. Grab the item off the chair and head through the passage. You can save right here, no reason not too. Archers will greet you in the next hallway. It is very narrow, so time your movement with blocking. If you go past them a little, you will see a dead Ninja corpse. Examine him and get a new ninpo. This is useful when you are in closed areas with enemies. So use it here. Continue on. In the Chamber of Everlasting Sleep, you will have a puzzle to solve. When you are on the bottom, the sarcophagus raises up. Stand on the switch to press it down, and go to the other balcony, do not go down on the floor, stay up there. Now wall run to the other platform, which will go down, and the sarcophagus stays. Grab the Wolf, Deity of Wisdom, and Skull key, which you use to unlock the gate. Now things get very wet, but it's brief. !!!!!!!!IMPORTANT!!!!!!!! Before you go up in the elevator, go swim through the Great Corridor and you will find a save point here. Now you should take the elevator up. You'll have black ninjas to deal with. After they're dead, another safe puzzle. Remember my advice from before, just read the book twice to get the information you need. Grab the item, and head on out. You have two options, you can get a special item right now, if you go through the Archive: *************60 FIEND CHALLENGE!************** In the archive, you will have to fight the Reapers and and smaller yellow quick fiends (let's call them Wolverine Alpha or Wolverine A.'s). You will have to fight a total of sixty in waves. PRIZE = Spirit Of Devils ********************************************** Now you should go back and save if you attempted this. Approach the Altar when you're ready.... _____________________________________________________________________________ |Alma| Now here is a boss everyone seems to have trouble on. Perhaps I can make your life easier? Alma is very pattern based. She packs a punch in everything, but that's all. No suprises. Her attacks are as follows, and I will tell you how to avoid them: Pillar throw: She throws two pillars from in the room. You cannot block these without taking damage, and a single roll or jump does not totally avoid them, because it avoids one, usually. How do you avoid this unscathed? Well, there are two ways; Immediately jump to the side and roll upon landing, or roll to the side, and jump. It's that easy! Fireballs: You cannot block these without taking damage, but they are easy to dodge. What you do is just run away. Run to the side or somewhere, they don't home in on you, though it seems that way. Head-diving attack: Fast, but easy to see coming. Just jump over this, or roll. She often does an attack after this, so get away, fast. Diving attack: When she does this, it's your que to move out of the way AND you can do some damage to her. Be quick, try to either run over to her and slash, hit her with a fireball (Ninpo), or my personal favorite, try and nail her with a Flying Swallow attack. Your first attack usually stuns her, so then you can get in about 4 slashes, I think. Then move away. Ultimate attack: When Alma is hovering, do not stay close to her long. If you do, she will scream (when you hear the scream, run and roll for your life, it's your only chance), the ground will glow underneath you. If you are not quick to get away, you cannot avoid what she does. You are sent into the air by some sort of magic and then she knocks you back into the ground for major damage. I may have made it sound hard to dodge, but again, if you're vigilant, it will be no trouble. If you are in trouble, activate Ninpo right away if you cannot get away and you will remain untouched. But this will not always work. You should also try hitting her in the air with Flying Swallow. She'll probably dodge it, but eventually you will hit her. Just remember how to dodge her attacks and be patient. Don't panic if you don't have healing items. If you are low on health, you can go to the other room before fighting her and fight the enemies! They will usually eventually cough up some blue essence. What helps is when you first fight her, try to get used to her attacks as I have labeled them, and when you get the hang of them, die on purpose and try her again. When Alma is on her own two legs, don't underestimate her. She can still do all of her attacks and her own melee attacks. But she just happens to be more vunerable to your attacks. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Watch movie, end of Chapter 7. *****************Golden Scarabs*********************** 16. In one of the wall holes where the skeleton boss lays. Back of the room. 17. Right before bridge, on the left ledge 18. At the bottom area in the Blue Eye Chamber, right below the Blue Eye. 19. Junction Chamber, below surface of water, near elevator. |===========================================================================| H. {Chapter 8} Tairon Under Alert "The battle with Rachel's sister, the Greater Friend, Alma, ended without a victor. However, the aftermath of the battle has caused the Vigoor Army to be deployed..." |===========================================================================| Before you do anything, go back into the Monastary. You might want to check out the Archive for some healing items. Now go back to where you fought Alma. If you watched the movie, you will have noticed Rachel dropped her War Hammer. It's yours for the taking now. In any case you must look for it. You will be needing this later, but you really don't need to spend money upgrading it unless you don't like to use the Dabilharo (which in my opinion is much better). Now your ultimate goal is the Military Supply Base. Remember the Military Gate not too far from Twin Serphents Plaza? That's your destination. Throughout this level, are the Vigoor soldiers. They are suspectible to Flails more than anything. They shoot grenades that explode slowly from a distance, can slash you with their Bayonett, their gun fires fast rounds, and they have a killer throw move that can be blocked. They're totally easy but there are lots here. Use this to your advantage if you need money! You will need to lower the drawbridge. Now watch out, here. There are two APC's (Armored Personel Carrier), and they have machine guns at the top that can be destroyed by arrows, I think. Also you will be greeted by an RPG-carrying soldier. It cannot be blocked and does good damage to you. Kill him ASAP, and get at the back of the APC and stand at the ramp, taking out any enemies that comeout. The RPG Vigoor soldiers are the ones you want to take out first in a group always. There are not that many, but you will know them when you see them. Before you go to the Military Gate, go to the area with the fences and use your Skull key on the door, in this area you can buy items or whatever, and make sure to get the items.Now run up the wall, jump off, and go through the building. Exchange your bow for the Strongbow. Now you can carry 15 MAX arrows and can get two other types of arrows. Head down to the Military Gate. There are gunners to take care off. Wait until they stop firing and then fire off arrows at them. Once they are done, you have to survive the Helicopter! He is not really a boss, just here to try and kill you until he runs out of ammo or something, as he goes away eventually. Stay on the move always or just block his machine gun fire. You must pay attention closely, because if you get caught by his missles he will fire very many more. After the missles he goes away, and if you were evasive enough he might not have even done them. Keep mind of the window where you got the Strongbow, it overlooks this area and there is a soldier with an RPG up there. Go back there and precision aim through the window, shoot one arrow through the glass and then shoot another to hit the switch. Now go back and you will be going through the gate, time for the Military Supply base... ********Golden Scarabs********** 20. Behind the gate unlocked with Skull key 21. In that gate area unlocked with the Skull key, bird-flip up to the third story. Wall run along the wall opposite of the third floor, to the left, to find an alcove with the scarab in it. |===========================================================================| I. {Chapter 9} Military Supply Base "The Vigoor Army is after a renegade element, Ryu. The Military Radio Tower is key to the Army's organization..." |===========================================================================| Save and start going the only way you can. You'll run into a group of Vigoor soldiers in and after them, you will have two APC's and more Vigoor soldiers , along with two in turrets. The APC turrets will not fire at you from this distance. Take out the two turrets, proceed and eliminate the soldiers. Head into the warehouse. You will notice it is quiet and dark, yes? Pick up what items you need and then head to one of the switches. Upon doing so, you switch on the power and also activate minuature security helicopters. These are annoying with their blue laser, just take them out with your windmill shuriken as they get close. I recommend you keep killing them until they stop respawning so you can proceed interrupted through this room. To activate the other moving lift, go down to the first level and hit the switch closest to shutters. Go back up and proceed across, then up the stairs and into the room After getting that card, go out of the shutters. You're at the Turntable now. Vigoor soldiers to deal with, but head into one of the nearby warehouses and save. After killing the soldiers, go on some more. You'll see a cutscene. Get your bow out, and get ready... _____________________________________________________________________________ |Tanks| Core arrows are your best friend. While the main gun is easy to dodge, the gunner will make this a pain in the ass for you. Don't dawdle around and get ran over. Just be quick. You will be fighting two tanks, one after the other, so take mind of that. Start by using an explosive arrow. Shoot it at the tank. This will cause the gunner to hop back inside the tank. Switch back to the Core arrows and shoot as much as you can until the gunner comes back up. When this happens, switch back to the explosive arrows and repeat. This is useful because the tank can only shoot a shell every few seconds and if it shoots a shell at you and you hit it with an explosive arrow, it will usually drive towards you and stop long enough for you to shoot 3 Core arrows at it or take out about 60% of it's health. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ After you are victorious, go up the stairs. (You might want to go back and save.) Guess what, remember the 'copter earlier? Here is the chance to avenge yourself... _____________________________________________________________________________ |Helicopter| For this, the core arrows and explosive are your friends. The core do more damage, naturally, so you will want to use them. Don't worry about ammo. He does about two sets of missiles and then breaks off, just roll away from these, he fires a cluster in a general direction, they can't home. In fact, the only thing that may damage you, is his machine gun, and you can block all of the bullets, but you may want to try hitting him with arrows during this time, too. He is suspectible to arrows after shooting missles and when he is flying by or hovering. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ As you proceed, and once you see the tower in the distance, you will see a problem. Vigoor soldiers with RPG's. Do not bother with them. Just take note of their positions and dodge their rockets. They can be shot out of the air but you expose yourself to another rocket because the bow is not a gun and is slow! Now you want to ignore them because they never stop coming. Just shoot ALL the radar dishes with an arrow. One to each, you will know when you get them. The doors unlock. Go through the other. Wall run here, watching out for the minuature secrurity helicopters, and make your way to the room. After killing the Vigoor RPG soldiers, you should get a key, if not, try again. Continue until you reach another room and use the key to go inside. After this, go back to the Locomotive Turntable. End of chapter 9. **********Golden Scarabs*********** 22. Just after you exit the tunnel, look to the left to find one outside the exit. 23. In Warehouse on top of one train. Get on the train across from it. Then jump towards it, and press X in mid-air to go farther. You need to use your dragon sword with this jump for it to work. 24. At the top of the shed in the warehouse. It's at the other side of the warehouse,that you get the shutter card in. Wall run up to the top of the room and it will be on the top 25. Before rooftop, on ledge, bird flip all the way to the top of building |===========================================================================| J. {Chapter 10} The Aquaducts "The Army's organization has crumbled; there is no need for Ryu to stay in the now-silent capital..." |===========================================================================| After the movie, get the item nearby and go through the gate. You're back in Tairon. You can't technically go anywhere, YET. Walk around a bit until the manhole opens. Here you will deal with the purple Wolverine fiends, or as I like to call them, "Wolverine Beta". They are very sneaky and quick. I cannot give you a particular strategy to defeating them, just experiment on what suits you best. And it is in your best interest to master killing them. As this whole level, you will be dealing with them! Go down the manhole you can save again, and once you go through the brown door, you can prepare for some fighting to be done. Check the Ninja's body in the hall for the Aquaduct map. If you go north of his body, you will reach a door. You can't go through there yet... instead go through another brown door. In here, more wolverines. Take note of the door that says it has an Insect symbol and is locked. You'll be coming back here sort of soon. Should you need items... Go north of here and to the left. You should be near the Blue Water Resevoir (on map). You can buy items here, but you can get items from the old man. Go back to Aquaduct B2 (place with dead Ninja) and drop down to Aquaduct B1 which is a hole hidden to the right of the door leading to Hall of Balance. (Towards the hill) If you need to get backup for whatever reason, just use your wall runs/jumps to get back up. In B3, you have more Wolverines. Fun thing about these is that after they're dead, they will not respawn here anymore. In this room, you have three places to go. To the north, The Hall Of Balance, to the left, Underground Waterway , and further down, the Red Water Resevoir, and to the right, a nameless room Go north and then before going in the Hall of Balance, check to the right, there will be a chest and a save point. Please save to save yourself some trouble. Cause this level is going to get tough. Go into the doors now. When you enter, a brief cutscene shows you the chest with the Insect key. To get it, go to your left, run up the wall near where the rats are, and you will automatically start hanging, just go to the right and get it. *************OPTIONAL************ Now head back to the 'nameless' room. Prepare for a fight before you check that chest. I recommend the War Hammer and your Ice Storm Ninpo. When you open the chest, and get the item, little armored-like slugs crawl out of the ground! Do not judge them by size. They have thick armor and their attacks are powerful. Once that particularly annoys me is their 'face hug' where they jump on you for some decent damage and continue to gnaw. Use your ice storm only when you are surrounded or about to, but otherwise jump off of the walls and do either Raging Thunder or the Avalance Drop. These moves kill them instantly, but leave you kinda vunerable. Time your attacks, because they love jumping at you, and if you get jumped on while a lot are around you (more than 3-4), you're probably screwed because once you get up you'll probably be jumped on again. They can also knock you out of the air! ********************************* Go back to the hall with the Insect symbol-door. Now your toughest challenge so far, in my opinion. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Eel| Eels greatly annoy me. But they are very limited as far as attacks go. You just have to time your attacks. Their most lethal attack is easily their grab. Sometimes it's easy to see coming, sometimes, no. You avoid this completely if you're on the walls a lot. Don't get grabbed! It really, really hurts. Might even kill you first time. They can electrify the water, so it's a hazard to step in. When they do their little swipe, you will see this coming, so immediately jump at a wall to avoid, then do a flying swallow and/or run at them and get in some slashes. Be quick. The only other attack to watch out for are their lightning balls. Just dodge these. I find the best way to go about them are using your arrows and windmill shuriken. Use up these first, if you like. Again, there are other strategies to them. Some like to use I. shurikens, the war hammer or dabilharo, windmill shuriken.. Also Ninpo is useless mostly. They retreat in their hole when doing so. You fight one eel alone, the first encounter, second encounter, two at the same time. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Pick up your new Ninpo scroll. This is your last... the following hall will take you back to the Hall of Balance, only in a new location, above it. If the worm fight hurt you bad, you should have some essence to go back and stock up, and if not, go out in the Hallway and fight Wolverines. This is one of the spots to get an unlimited amount of money in the game. I recommend Vigoorian Flails at level 2.. used right, they can cover you completely, just keep mashing buttons, heh. Don't get careless, though. In the Hall of Balance, pick up the Red Tablet of the Stream. You know where to put that, right? If not, go to the Red Resevoir. Some Wolverines in here. Ninpo makes short work of them. Do Flying Bird flips until up there, but before you go in the Red Resevoir, check that upper area for a chest. The Spirit of the Devils is your prize. Proceed, place the item on the stand. Wolverines to contend with... now go up to B2, and in that alternate Red Resevoir room, grab the statue on your left. Go back to B3 and place the statue on the door with the Earth statue. Proceed... you have a tough battle coming up, young grasshopper. I hate to spoil, but you have two Eels to take care of in the caves, in the obvious' room. My Eel strategy before may not have been so helpful, so I will try again. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Eels| YOUR best friends: Dragon Sword, I. Shurikens, Windmill shuriken Your focus here should be to kill one Eel. Attack them at equal opportunity, but your previous strategy will have to change. Your space is limited here and making mistakes will probably kill you, cause if one eel doesn't get you the other will. Start off throwing I. shurikens at both. Once your out, switch to the windmill shuriken. You CAN use your arrows, but I find it to be a waste of time, but if you go that approach, do not do precision aim... Also I forgot to add in my last strategy that you can block their head swipe. I beleive it's more optional against one because you could jump on the wall that time and there was only one Eel to worry about. Blocking it you will not receive damage, just be quick to counter. Check where each worm was, then head down the middle path. In the Stairstep Cavern, to get out of here, go to your left upon stepping in, and go back the way you came. First, explore this area, though. You should be rewarded with the Blue Tablet of the Stream eventually. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ *********60 FIEND CHALLENGE*********** Go to the room with the face hugging insect freaks; the place were you get the Demon Seal. And start beating on them, again another battle of 60. PRIZE = Talisman ************************************** Your destination is now the Blue Resevoir room. Insert the item and jump down ...through the door (watch out for Wolverines. I jumped when them came through so fast, so be alert..), and follow the hallway all the way to the Hall of Balance. Now you will notice that big door is unlocked! Almost done. Head through the door... **********60 FIEND CHALLENGE************* It's a beautiful room. Shame it has to get dirtied with blood... just keep killing the Wolverines. This is also great for money, so if you have the armlet of Benediction USE IT. PRIZE = Lives of the Thousand Gods ***************************************** See the switch on the floor by the statue? Wall jump back and forth until you finally drop, dropping down on the switch which opens the door. Recommend you go back and save now. Before you enter the Underground Sancturary in the small room where you get attacked by bats. There is a box on the top left entrance of the room it contains one Life of the Gods. Now you will go to the Underground Sancturary. You will discover you cannot proceed without a ceremonial sword to insert into the hole... This item is at the very top of the room. Head into the room on the left, and take out the Wolverines. You will have to time your wall jumping/running to get up to the ledge. Once up there, use your strongbow to hit the wall switch, and activate a panel. Looks useless, right? No, you have to run across it to get to the other side. Continue around until you reach the sword and you should probably go back and save... once you put that sword in, you have a boss to content with, the Guardian. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Guardian| Stay close to him always. His attacks are as follows: Laser: You will hear and see it before you take damage, but he only does this when you are at a distance. Don't underestimate range. Stomp: While you are close, occasionally he will jump up and then come down, causing a gust of wind to come down, that hurts. It can be blocked. Bite: Stay in front of him while close and he will eventually bite at you. This causes a lot of damage, don't let it happen. Claw swipe: Occasionally he does this when right next to you. Pretty powerful good luck avoiding On a rare occasion, when he gets on the platform, if you are under it, he will attack you with wind from his wings.. Stay behind him while striking. You will notice your attacks do damage, but not as much as usual. That is okay, just keep at it. Use whatever attacks you like. Now and then, he will drop his head as if from exhaustion. Now be quick and slash at his head. Combos I used to inflict good damage (he takes more damage from hits with his head down): X, X, X, Y, Y; X, X, Y, Y Follow him whenever he runs to get away. When he jumps on a ledge to fire his laser, get under it to avoid it completely. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ With his defeat, comes the end of chapter 10. **********Golden Scarabs******** 26. In Blue Resevoir Room 27. In Red Resevoir Room, Aquaduct 1 28. Second floor in Hall Of Balance, near Blue Resevoir exit. 29. Cave BEFORE Worm Cavern, left alcove. 30. Where the first Eel was, right behind you, there is a wall that does not go all the way up; run up this 31. Where one of the Eels in the cave was. 32. In Underground Sancturary, room to the left with Ninja's corpse. 33. In the Peristyle Passage, one of the pillars on the right does not go all the way up, wall-jump between the two to reach it. 34. To the left of Brand Of Valor (the ceremonial sword) |===========================================================================| K. {Chapter 11} The Path To Zarkhan "Using the Aquaduct, Ryu has arrived at the moat surrounding Zarkhan. However a great wall blocks his path into the Palace itself..." |===========================================================================| Ah, swimming. If you didn't like it before, you're going to hate it here. You'll be doing it 95% of the level. Grab the map right next to you and save. Take a look at it. The Sunken Ship is one of the most important areas. It gives you an important item VITAL to progress on this chapter. Apparently it is possible to go without it for a short time, but you will soon be up the creek... I feel for you if this happened. Now, YES, there are big fish in the water. You can fight them, but it's a waste, in my opinion. Wait until you get the Speargun. But go under the hole in the gate to get the !!!!!!!!!!!!!!GOLD MEDALLION!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently some have missed this so I thought I'd point it out. To get out of here, go back the other way and on the side of the wall (left) is a hole, go through here. If by some chance you miss the Ninja corpse along the way, the combination is: 0971 As you continue, you will see what you need to use the combination on... however it is too dark! You need an item to see... it's up ahead. Grab the OWL'S EYE off of the Ninja corpse, and now you can put in the combination. If you have trouble with the safe: Select all the numbers, THEN press X. Keep swimming, but now dive up for air. Get the Speargun off the Ninja, and you may purchase items here. Keep going... save point in cave, grab items in chests. (Don't miss the LOTG) Take note of the door being "held shut by a mysterious force". Just go the other way... You have two options here. Keep going straight, but to the left, in the direction of the Sunken Ship area. Do not skip the brief cutscene, it gives you hints on what you must do. Now what makes this area annoying are the little helicopters... remember them from Chapter 9? Well, here, they have the advantage. Don't underestimate the range of their laser... two shots to each with the spearguntakes em' out. You need a Hand Crank for the rope pulley on top of the sunken ship. Go into that hole in the ship and simply get it out of the box. Use the Hand Crack. Again, watch the very brief cutscene. Go under there and open that door... swim up in the room, and grab the Oxygen Cylinder sitting innocently on a table in the back of the room. Go back through the hole in the gate, and just keep swimming foward to the other area. Go through this area, which is sort of like a Labyrinth, until you reach the chest with the Silver Medallion. With both Medallions in hand.. Back to the Island in the moat. Insert both in their respective slots on the wall piece (which is in that cave with all those wasp fiends, if you were wondering), now that door being held shut MYSTERIOUSLY, is open. Take care of the enemies in this area before going into that huge rift where all the bubbles are coming up, if you want to. Into the rift... Ah, back to the Hidden Underground. Such fond memories. Whether you noticed or not, the entire place is flooded, you must navigate through this. Your ultimate goal is The Great Corridor, where you take the lift to "Zarkhan". It's in the same area where the elevator is that took you back to the Monastery. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!SECRET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go back up the lift, but watch out for the Black Ninjas. Go search the ruins of the desk for the Monk's notebook. Which yet again has shown he has put something else in the safe. The code is: 1223 left, left, right, left Prize = Jewel of the Demon Seal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!sECRET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The way is outlined on your map for you, really. I don't need to hold your hand through this. There are no suprises. Once you do reach the lift, SAVE. Take it up, get ready to fight the fight of fights and claim VENGEANCE! _____________________________________________________________________________ |Doku| He is very powerful. Two hits can bring you two your knees. You will want to have healing items before fighting this boss. Great Spirit Elixirs, I would recommend... Now, onto Doku. He is very pattern based, but instead of memorizing all of his attacks, what you need to remember is he is suspectible to damage right after attacking. Most of his attacks can be blocked. Sword throw: Just jump over this. If you're at least decent, you can hit him with a Flying Swallow. Slash: Self-explanitory. Strike quickly, precisely. Multiple slashes: GET AWAY! Hit him after this. He will pause for a second before doing his last slash, so don't rush and get fooled. Grab: Stay too close after attacking or attack too much and he will grab you. This will hurt, to say the least... Breath: I'm serious, he has bad breath. He will use this when you are at a distance in front of him. It's sort of like a flamethrower. Shockwave: When you are very far away or occasionally close, it depends, he will slam his sword swiftly into the ground and create a wave of fire that can be easily jumped over. This is sneaky, but he does it rarely... Dash: Pulls his sword back and dashes at you, can be easily avoided but will knock you down hard if it connects. Hit and run attacks and using that little opening he gives you after he attacks will help you win this. Despite his armor, he takes a good amount of damage from your attacks. And for good reason, your Dragon Sword should be at level 3 right now. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ With his defeat, end of chapter 11. **************Golden Scarabs********** 35. In first body of water, right in front of you in the beginning. Swim under the grate to reach it. 36. After "Island in the Moat" area, to the left after coming out of the exit 37. Next to Oxygen Cylinder in Sunken Ship, in the compartment you unlock. 38. After entering large chamber with silver medallion and sunken boat area, there is a scarab next to the entrance you came in from, also the only way out, very hard to miss 39. In Hidden Underground, in the area where you got the Skull key, far above the Sarcophagus, it is on the ceiling |===========================================================================| L. {Chapter 12} The Caverns "Although it appeared as though Ryu defeated Doku, his vengeance is still incompletel; the Dark Dragon in the hands of the Holy Vigoor Emperor. What will become of Rachel and her sister?" |===========================================================================| I will tell you right now this level is going to be hard. Before you head into the caverns in the level, be stocked up on healing items I will finish the rest of this now, but I will first give a solution to the puzzle the seems to trouble so many at the beginning of this level: Very important, though, PICK UP DOKU'S WEAPON! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PUZZLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those platforms around the room are what make up the puzzle in these ruins. Go straight ahead, to where Rachel was being held, and to the right, pull down the switch to activate the platforms. Go back outside and go to your left from this direction. Jump up on the lowest platform on the left and hit the switch. Then go to your right, jump on the lowest, and hit the switch and then you must wall run from this platform to the next. The next part is a bit trickier but you've done it before. Hit the switch on this platform. Jump over to the next. And pull the switch here, too. Pay attention to THIS platform as it is the one that matters, where it moves... NOW go back to the exact platform you were on before and pull the switch. You'll see why, soon. Jump down now to that very first platform on the right. You want to use your abilities to get you to that platform near the ledge. Once you are on the platform, you do NOT NEED TO GET ON THE LEDGE ABOVE IT! No, you turn around, and you will be wall running in the direction you came. Why? Your wall running here will be higher, as a result, you can get to that platform that will get you to the top. So... start your wall run, then jump to the next wall, then the next and jump on the platform! Then you will see where to go. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PUZZLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have probably now jumped up those ledges, now in the Zarkhan area, right by the Imperial Palace. ********************60 Fiend Challenge******************** Wolverines. About 3 at a time, two purple, one yellow. You can get this right as you enter the area, since they won't stop respawning until you defeat 60. Prize = LOTG ********************************************************** The door leading to the Imperial Palace are locked... for now. You have two options: ********************60 Fiend Challenge******************** Back where you fought Doku, if you take the elevator back down and then back up again, you will have to defeat 3 Red Dragons in waves of 3. Prize = Lives of the Thousand Gods ********************************************************** (Your choice) Head back to Tairon to talk to the old man. This is more riskier than beneficial, as there are two new types of enemies in town. Basically the MSATS and Vigoor soldiers have all become much meaner, learner, killing machines. For the MSATS... I would recommend Flails and trying to not let one get too far, or they do a really annoying fireball. As for the soldiers, proceed at your own risk. They soak up a lot of damage even with your most powerful of weapons. Also, here, near the Great Bridge Area, is a portal that will take you to the Fiend World... *****************60 Fiend Challenge************************ Here you will face a mix of 60 Wolverines and Cyclops. Prize = Lives Of The Thousand Gods Head to the Caverns. There are two items to pick up in the Falls area. Run across the water or swim... in the cave, all you have to contend with are bats, and here they are a good source for building up some money. BE WARNED! Once you go in The Caverns, you will not be able to get out until you complete the chapter. So... when you think you are ready, slide down the hole. Once inside, you're confronted by a few Wolverines, and a new type of Dragon Fiend. Let's call them Ice Dragons. This is really the only time you will fight them in this portion of the level, but they are deadlier than the Red Dragons you fought earlier. The Dabilahro is perfect for them, as long as you don't let up. Try and finish one dragon in a single combo. When you're done with all the fiends, run up the wall, do a backflip onto the ledge, and go in the next area. Jump across the broken floor and save. You'll notice a pentagon-shaped symbol on the door next to you. Drop down, and prepare for a basic fetching quest through the ice caves. Just Wolverines here. Once you come to the area with the stalacites of ice blocking your path, look for the Ruins area, which is a short distance. You can pick up what you need here. Now go back to that door and place it in. You are now in the Magma Caverns. Pick up the Stone Tablet, Iron Ore (you'll need it later) and take out the Dragons before proceeding. Wait until they're finished doing their flame breathing, then wack them good with either War Hammer or Dabilahro. Avoid the lava as you can until you reach an area with steam popping out on the walls now and then. (Make sure to get the iron ore here) Go near the cliff overlooking lava, and run up the wall, and you should grab on a ledge. Wait for the steam next to you to blow twice, and then make it across to the other side. Here, you want to go to your left. In this room, you have a lot of Dragon Fiends to deal with. These are more Dragon-like fiends than the others, because they do actually breathe fire... in addition to their brother's usual attacks. It's crowded here. Use Ninpo and proper guarding effectively, keep your cool... When you come to the room where you are at the bottom of the cliff to the right, do a vertical attack on the switch and jump on the platform that appears. Then jump foward and swing across to the other (the bar isn't as far as it seems). You can buy items here. See the ruined walls to your right? Run along these to the next room. Some more dragons to slay here. Then run up the wall and into a room with a large see-saw structure. It's easy to figure out. Explore the area for more iron ore before you go north. Once here, put each piece of iron ore in the cauldron (you need 4). The heat from this melts the stalacites that blocked your way back in the Ice Cavern. Head back there now. Right before the room, you may save. Once you do, and head into this suspiciously large room... _____________________________________________________________________________ |Mammoth Eel| This seems to be an eel... with arms. I am not sure. It is powerful and completely different from other eels. Just get behind it, and slash away. It often turns itself around with one arm, but you can get around this. Just don't stay in front of it very long. You really can't block it's punches Another attack you can't block is the ice shards rising from the earth. Just roll around, they seem to pop up randomly. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Pick up the eye, head through the door. If you want to increase your ninpo, as you finally get to the very top of the room, drop down, and as Ryu passed the ledge with the chest you couldn't get, he will grab on it. After taking that, you're back in a familiar part of the Ice Cavern. Now you have one of two eyes you need... ALSO make sure you grab the Cog back in the Ruins area here. You will need to backtrack to the Magma Cavern, to that place across the Magma Lake. Put the Cog on the door. Now you are in the Path Of Flame. This is like a little gaunlet labyrinth. Really easy. Just don't get hit by the flames! Once you reach the end and head into the room with a pool of lava, you'll be greeted by a cousin of an old friend. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Magma Eel| Same strategy as other eels, except you fight this one alone. Another thing is the ring of fire it shoots out. Basically, if you jump -straight up- right as it breathes it out, the ring will go right around you. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Jump across, take the Eye. In the next room, you have to hit the switch and make it across quickly before the flame rises again. Hint: Before the poles don't jump at them, instead run along the wall, and Ryu will be more precise at grabbing them, thus you won't land in the lava. Now that you are out of their, you will want to proceed to that big door in the Magma Lake area with the big face. Put both Eyes here, and step into the Hall of the Flame Dragon. (What does THAT tell you?), take the Devil, Diety of Immortallity. Apparently this made your sleeping friend very angry. You'll have to get him out of the way, then... _____________________________________________________________________________ |Flame Dragon| The hardest thing about this boss is the entire level. Before you get to him, because you can't escape from the caverns and because enemies don't respawn here, and you might have had "accidents" with lava along the way, you may be in a bad state fighting him. If you fit into the "bad condition" category, this may be a tough battle. Unless you can remember patterns very well. Well, like most bosses, he has a distinct pattern of attacks. They come at random times, so I guess it's not a pattern, more like limited attacks, here they are: Lunge: This is his most powerful attack next to the somewhat unblockable, and will shave off 2/3s of a full life bar, even if you manage to break out of the entire attack (which is common, but it's that first bite that gets you.) If he misses the lunge, get in some slashes. Always roll away after the slashes. He may do another lunge. Fireball spit: Oddly this causes more damage when you try to block. Just roll away from them. There is no splash damage. He does about 2 to 3. Hot blast of air: You can hear this before it comes, but if you are just watching his movements, you may be tricked into thinking he's going to spit fireballs, and you will be in for a world of hurt if you are not blocking when this comes. While you're blocking, roll forward just as the flames are about to reach you. If you don't make it, then your block absorbs the blunt of the attack. If you do make it, you lose no health whatsoever. Don't underestimate, he will sometimes do this three times in a row. Fire breath: Easiest attack to avoid. Just run in the opposite direction of him. You may also sneak in a few shots on his head when it is low and he is not really moving around. An alternate strategy is hitting one of the platform switches to take you up 2nd level. He rests his head here more often and is suspectible to 6 hit combo from Dabilahro (or other weapons) Overall, damage him when he is resting his head and after he does his lunge, which you should avoid, and quickly retaliate. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Once he is slain, walk along his body, pick up the LOTG, and head through the door. End of chapter 12. *********************Golden Scarabs********************** 40. On ledge in Stadium 41. In Stadium area where switch to activate platforms is, to the back left 42. On the very top ledge of the stadium, accessed via platforms 43. The three stone heads by the save point can be smashed for items. Use War Hammer or Dabiliharo. In the remains of one is a scarab. 44.. Bottom of Zarkhan Falls lake 45. In path of flame, right across from second flamethrower statue 46. Furnace area, on the right, near lava (Fire Cavern) 47. Ice Cavern Depths, right by save point |===========================================================================| M. {Chapter 13} The Fiendish Awakening "All events thus far have lead up to one place: the depths of the palace of Zarkhan. Will Ryu be able to discover the path inside? |===========================================================================| A short distance, there is a save point. Head into the room, your only way out of here... ******************60 Fiend Challenge***************** Kill all the Wasp Fiends. Very, very easy. Prize = LOTG ***************************************************** Wall run and wall jump up, it's very easy, the camera will probably throw you off at the most. You have to do some backtracking now. Your overall goal, is Twin Serphent Plaza back in Tairon, where you will insert all three stone tablets... And as this happens, you will instantly be teleported to... Hayabusa Village. Why are you here? You'll find out soon, seeing as it's a very straightfoward path... Once in the graveyard, you will receive the True Dragon Sword. Continue on and take the next teleporter after the next, until you reach an area you've never seen before, a very wide, open field... Run towards the pyramid... there is evil abrew.. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Alma, Awakened| Alma is far easier this time around. She is a total letdown compared to how impressive she was before. (Personal opinion) Watch out after her first few strikes. She'll proceed with a throw that will crunch you like a nut. One move she's kept is the fireballs. Same as last time, just outrun them. Also, watch out for her occasional charge, when she is on the ground. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ After this is done, you have the pyrmaid to contend with before the chapter is over. There is a very easy puzzle in here. It revolves around placing the correct tablets in their places. Each time part of the moon shows on the door, you will be confronted by enemies. The face hugging slug fiends... Take the Serphent, Diety of Creation. At the end of one of the halls (the side with the water tablet) there is a mirror opposite a throne chair. In the mirror it shows a flame on each side of the throne but there really are none next to the real throne. Use one of the fire Ninpo on the throne to light up the 2 flame and recieve a Jewel Of The Demon Seal. This should allow you to finish the game with all of your Ninpo at Level 3. Head out of the Pyramid when you feel you're done here. End of chapter 13. ******************Golden Scarabs*************** - None |===========================================================================| N. {Chapter 14} Vengeful Spirit "The fate of the sisters has been decided. Ryu now heads for the depths of Zarkhan, determined to fulfill his vengeance once and for all..." |===========================================================================| You are in the Labyrinth of Zarkhan. Though it's hardly a labyrinth to get lost in. You'll be chasing after Doku's spirit, in a sense. The gate with the Beast on it cannot be opened yet. So instead go to the right. Inside this area, you may save your game and buy items. Further inside reveals a glowing pool of light on the ground... you need to go through here. After a little introduction to things, you'll need to defeat every fiend you come across, until they stop respawning, and you are rewarded with a key. You can get out of here now, and now proceed to unlock the gate. A short distance, you'll be presented to the new enemy for these last few chapters of the game. Phantom Pirhanas. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Defeating Phantom Pirhanas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These phantom fish can seem very hard to defeat without a scratch at first. Afterall, they respawn quickly, and if you attack one, they come at you in a swarm and latch onto you, depleting your health with powerful... bites. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But they are very predictable and weak, vitality wise. One hit from anything will kill them. Your Ninpo is effective, but ultimately... use NOTHING else but flails. If you missed the flails, you should most likely not be playing this game! The flails are perfect for them, but do not get in a button mashing frenzy. Between their respawns, you have a moment to stop so you can start a combo again, because if you just keep mashing X, you'll finish the combo string and leave yourself open to attack everytime. Also these fish are very good for getting rich. Perhaps no other enemy in the game will give you essence in a more plentiful amount, not to mention this fast. After you have purged this area, make sure to take the LOTG in the opening in the wall. Continue through the path, up the steps.. now you have two ways to go. It doesn't matter which, you should go one way and come back to the other. But if you REALLY want a decision, the right way gives you a Ninja's diary, and Great Devil Elixir, the left way is the path to progress. You cannot go through the Lion door that Doku went through, go down the path to get this key. It is here you will run into a new Fiend. (I have much trouble with these, so any strategies before I start on the bestiary are appreciated) I believe these to be cousins to the Wolverines. Let's call them Cyclops. They have a very mean throw, a laser that they will use even close range, and probably the least of his attacks is a punch with his claw that is easily blocked. Good luck. Oh, there are a few P.P.'s(Phantom Pirhana) here, too. To get the Key of the Lion, you must be on the top path, which is very narrow. At the bottom, is simply a chest full of various essence. As you go through the Lion door, you see Doku going already through yet another door you need a key for. Head to your right... up those stairs, and get the Great Spirit Elixir in the chest in this area, if you need it. Go back down them and continue going right... the terrain in this hallway gives the P.P. a very good advantage. For one, the camera angles will mess you up, you won't sometimes be able to tell when they are coming around the corner or behind you. Just stay alert, and I recommend not going around the corner until the fish stop coming. They WILL come to you after you start your initial kill. Just be patient and they will still come, don't let your guard down.... when done, go to your right. There is a great spirit exlixir nearby if you need it. Now at the end, another hallway with P.P.'s. Once done, take your prize, go back to the area where you last saw Doku. Before you can go through, though, you're confronted by Cyclops and P.P.'s. Whether you ran or killed them, once you're through the door, a showdown with Doku, so very inevtiable, commences. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Spiritual Doku| He is the same as he was last time, though I noticed he backs a little more power and maybe a new attack or two? Maybe not. Same ol, same ol. Looks like the Greater Fiends are pushovers for their returns. One attack to watch out for is when you are at a distance, he'll detach his arm to get at you. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ End of chapter 14. ****************Golden Scarabs********************* 48. After door of the Lion, take a left and follow the corridor down. 49. In Labryinth area right before fighting Doku, just search everywhere, it's out in the open. |===========================================================================| O. {Chapter 15} The Core "Doku's hate continues to slowly transform Ryu into a Fiend. Feeling the blood of the fiends pounding in his veins, the Dragon Ninjas stands before the gates to the source of all evil, the core of the Imperial Palace!" |==========================================================================| This is it. The final level. As in final, I mean, any scarabs you forgot or locations you want to go back to for finding scarabs or any other reason, now is the time to do it. Unfortunately for you, the Imperial Palace is very large, with expected tough fights, and you will probably be backtracking. In the Palace Compound, first head to your right, get the item from the chest and then run in the opposite direction. Don't bother going to the palace now, because you need a key anyways. (Don't forget the ninja corpse nearby the save point) As you're going through these next areas, you will have the usual Fiends to slay. Head through the doors, and check the Ninja corpse, for it has the key you need. When you are ready, head to The Core of the Imperial Palace. You have to get WAY to the top. Get ready for the fights of your life. :) After using the Key of the Decayed Soul, you have to kill all the enemies in this room, then place a Diety on the hourglass-like holder to proceed. Now I will tell you what to expect in each room so you can prepare accordingly... 1st Floor - Red Dragons; 8 to defeat 2nd Floor - Red Dragons, Flame Dragons; 8 to defeat in all 3rd Floor - Wolverines, Cyclops; 5 to defeat in all 4th Floor - Cyclops; 5 to defeat Now you are at the fitting, Gates Of Hell. Save here, and for good reason. That portal, you need to go through, in order to get the final Deity. However, it is there where you will face your hardest of fights so far. 1st Round - Purple Wolverines 2nd Round - Tentacle boss 3rd Round - Purple Wolverines, with help from the Fiend King, which includes throwing fireballs that home in on your previous location, also includes splash damage. 4th Round - Mammoth Eel 5th Round - Demon Fiend himself, with Wolverine assitance. _____________________________________________________________________________ |Demon Fiend| Arial attacks are all you need, besides the occasional combo when he lands on the ground. Watch out for him when he lands on theground, just be sure not to be in the landing radius. He wil throw fireballs you've seen earlier, and just watch out for him when he takes off to get in the air again (hint, don't be in front). Also he can grab you and do a charge while hovering. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Take the final diety. Go back to the Gates Of Hell. Save, and place the diety in the container. Head up the stairs if you think you're ready. Watch movie. It's very cool. Ryu is such a badass. _____________________________________________________________________________ |The Evil Vigoor Emperor| Big guy. Trouble, right? Don't worry about falling off the platform! You must get used to controlling it. It's very cool. What you want to do is attack each of his shoulders until they turn red, then go for his head and chest. All you have to watch out for are his lasers. Once you get used to the somewhat new controls, you will be able to dodge these lasers. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ _____________________________________________________________________________ |The Evil Vigoor Emperor, II| This is very annoying. Your windmill shuriken and Inazuma ninpo are your best friends here, maybe your only? This strategy is assuming you have items to restore your KI and are at full KI. Now... you want to be constantly throwing your windmill shuriken at him. It Does mediocre damage, but it's quick, so don't complain. When the skulls come out, you can r try and dodge them, but I prefer using my Inazuma ninpo. Usually twice, because after all the skulls are out (as they hit you, it's a plus because the boss also takes damage), his horned head comes out to try and bite you. If you use your ninpo as this happens, he'll take damage, and you, none. The Inazuma ninpo is effective for damage here. In fact, Ninpo is more effective here than other boss fights. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ With his death... end of chapter 15. ***************Golden Scarabs************* 50. The final scarab. On the 4th floor, to the right of the door is a ledge. Drop off and you will find yourself just where the skulls are on the tower. Follow around to the right and you will see the final Scarab. |===========================================================================| P. {Chapter 16} The Dark Dragon Blade "Ryu has defeated the evil Vigoor Emperor, and the Dark Dragon Blade is out of the reach of the Fiends. Now, Ryu must quickly escape the depths before the cavern comes crashing down on him! |===========================================================================| In contrast to you 'must quickly escape', you actually have lots of time, but you WILL die via a cutscene if there for too long. It's very simple, so I shouldn't have to tell you how to get out of here. Just some acrobatics here and there Once you reach The Dark Dragon Blade, this serves as a checkpoint for you, should you die later... continue on until you reach Rachel. After another movie, you have one last battle to finish. This battle is so easy, do you really need a strategy? And do you really need another spoiler? Enjoy. The end of chapter 16. ******************Golden Scarabs*************** None! XI. ****************** ********************** Successive Play information ================================================== What you unlock from your first play through: - Very Hard mode - Option to start with alternate costume & Plasma saber. Press left trigger while selecting new game to play with this. Unlock Ninja Gaiden 1: If you obtained 50 Scarabs, and give them to Murasama. Unlock Ninja Gaiden 2: After you get Ninja Gaiden 1, shoot the clock face in Tairon near Muramasa's shop. now a chest should appear on the roof of the building across from you (where those 3 pesky black ninjas appeared at) and in it is the ninja gaiden 2 disc. Unlock Ninja Gaiden 3: After getting Ninja Gaiden 2, go to the ceremonial room in the Aquaducts, and do the triangle jump, back up to where you got the golden scarab on top of the broken pillar. PLAYING NINJA GAIDEN CLASSICS IN GAME: In Tairon, at Han's Bar, there is a machine there, that will allow you to play the games. PLAYING NINJA GAIDEN CLASSICS OUTSIDE OF GAME: They can be accessed via main menu Get Mk Saber II: Beat on very hard? Afraid not... Actually you get the Mk Saber II on chapter 13 in the same way you get the True Dragon Sword Evil Ryu: Beat on Very Hard. Press and hold R(right trigger) while starting new game Dark Dragon Blade: Can be found on Chapter 13 while playing Successive Play. FAQ: 1. Q - "Can I start over with all my equipment from the previous game"? A - No, you must start over each time completely fresh, regardless of starting a new game or playing on Successive. 2. Q - "Will I keep all my scarabs from the last game?" A - Yes, only if you play on the successive play file. 3. Q - "Can I get all 50 Golden Scarabs before beating the game?" A - Yes, you can, and you can most likely get all 3 Ninja Gaiden games before beating it. There are two levels that you must not miss these scarabs on, you cannot backtrack like you can with others. Chapter 3 & Chapter 9 - All scarabs must be found if you wish to get all 50 your first time through, as you cannot come back to these areas later. X.Bestiary ================ |Insert enemy| = Name, followed by when encountered - Summary of behavior, attacks, tips ESSENCE: Types of essence and what will come most often Difficulty: *****/*****, ****/*****, ***/*****, **/*****, */***** (one being easiest) |Brown Ninja| [Encountered only in Chapter 1] - Weakest of enemies and ninja especially. - Athletic, like Ryu somewhat, can only slash to attack ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: N/A Red: N/A |White Ninja| [Encountered only in Chapter 1] - Better than Brown Ninja - Athletic, like Ryu somewhat, will do slashes, wall attacks, and throw shurikens ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: N/A Difficulty: * |Bats| [Encountered throughout game] - THE weakest enemy, does very little damage alone - Attacks with several sometimes, or by itself if alone, one hit kill ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: Rare |Murai| [Encountered only in Chapter 1] - Strong, takes a licking (only because you are just starting), very limited range - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: * |Samurai| [Encountered only in Chapter 2] - Takes more damage, attacks and blocks more than any Ninja - Does little else but slash ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: N/A Difficulty:* |Samurai Mage| [Encountered only in Chapter 2] - Teleports around, casts a fireball that can still be blocked for minimal damage, will do several quick slashes - Doesn't take much damage, but can teleport away while being attacked ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Common Red: Uncommon |Mounted Samurai| [Encountered only in Chapter 2] - Can come with a bow or spear. Rides on a horse. Spear rider is deadlier, can slash and slam you into the ground - Shoot off with bow and arrow or knock off with arial attack - Normal samurai once off horse Difficulty: * |Red boss Mounted Samurai| [Encountered only in Chapter 2] - Advanced form of mounted samurai. *See walkthrough* Difficulty: * |Vigoor Officer| [Encountered chpts 3, 4, 5] - Uses hand to hand moves,, slit your throat with stun baton, swipes at you with stun baton, and finally, shoots at distance with pistol ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Rare Red: Rare Difficulty: * |Vigoor Enforcer| [Encountered chpts 3, 4, 5] - Somewhat armored, used a shield to block, can use hand to hand as well as throw - From distance, uses a pistol, or occasionally grenade launcher ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Common Red: Uncommon Difficulty: * |Cyborg Captain| [Encountered in Chapter 3] - Large cybernetic human equipped with a rail gun - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: ** |Black Spider Clan Ninjas| [Encountered at spots in various chapters] - Very fast, powerful, skilled ninja. Appears in groups of 3-5 - Uses incendiary shurikens, almost every acrobatic Ryu can do, and they are overall very lethal. - Learn to block, never focus on one, continue blocking if a shuriken is stuck to you to reduce damage ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: Rare Difficulty: **** |Red Dragon| [Encountered in chpts 4, 12, 15] - Powerful fiend with nice defense. Takes most damage from heavy weapons - X, X, X, X, X, Y combo with Dabilahro kills them quick, one time does it - Attacks must connect and stop them from making attacks, as just a few slashes will get you a nasty counter - They will charge, bite at you, knock you back with their tail, and do a one-two swipe. ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Common Red: Common |Tentacle Fiend| [Encountered in chpts 4 & 6] - Fiend with tentacles and lots of eyes. Cut off tentacles to inflict damage Difficulty: * Difficulty: *** |Yellow Wolverines| [Encountered throughout game past chapter 4] - They move without legs, can teleport hither and there - Burrow through ground, appearing as little black cloud, use claws for quick strikes - Pretty weak enemy as far as soaking up damage goes ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Rare Red: Rare Difficulty: * |Reapers| [Encountered only in the Monastery] - Teleport in and out of movement and attacks - They use a scythe and if you stay in one spot too long, they cast an easily avoided spell - Very vunerable to arial attacks ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: Uncommon Difficulty: ** |Wasp/Bee Fiend| [Encountered in chpts 6, 10, 11, 13] - Very slow moving most of the time, any weapon works, uses stinger for a lunge attack ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Rare Red: Rare Difficulty: * |Skeletal Zombies| [Encountered in Chapter's 6 & 7] - Uses a variety of weapons, from bow, to axe. - One arm and/or head can be cut off to hinder their attacks - Archers are very accurate and shoot quickly, those that use melee weapons attack slow but swing in a very wide arc ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Rare Red: Uncommon Difficulty: ** |Skeletal Dinosaur| [Encountered in Chapter 6] - Large fossil creature, one of the largest bosses - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: *** |Alma| [Encountered in Chapter 7, Monastery] - Greater Fiend, Rachel's sister. A fiend that uses a variety of melee, arial and projectile attacks. - *See walkthrough* |Vigoor Soldier| [Encountered in chpts 8 & 9] - Soldier with red eyes, uses an automatic rifle with bayonet on end - Uses brief automatic fire, bayonet slash and sometimes thrust (for throw) at short range, and grenades at longer ranges ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: Uncommon Difficulty: ** |Vigoor RPG Soldier| [Encountered in chpts 8 & 9] - Uses only a shoulder mounted RPG (rocket propelled grenade), at any range ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Common Red: Uncommon Difficulty: ** |Security Helicopter| [Encountered in chpts 9 & 11] - Uses a blue laser at any range, that cannot be blocked, but does minimal damage ESSENCE: NONE Difficulty: * |Military Helicopter| [Encountered in chpts 8 & 9] - Uses machine gun, missles - *See walthrough* Difficulty: *** |Purple Wolverine| [Encountered throughout game after Chapter 10] - Similar to Yellow Wolverine, except larger, quicker, and more powerful - Attacks in larger groups and is prone to respawn often ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: Common Difficulty: *** |Eeels| [Encountered in chpts 10 & 12] - Only 3 in the game. Uses projectile attacks, a sweep, biting lunge, and enviornment to it's advantage - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: **** (****** with 2) |Guardian| [Encountered in Chapter 10, Underground Sancturary] - Uses it's wings, a laser-like attack, and body for attacks. - *See walthrough* Difficulty: *** |Aquatic Fiend| [Encountered in Chapter 11] - Occasionally charges at you to try and bite you, will sometimes jump above surface of water to get at you. Very slow. ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Rare Red: Rare Difficulty: * |Doku| [Encountered in Chapter 11, Arena in Zarkhan] - Heavily armored samurai that weilds the cursed blade, Kitetsu. Lord of the Greater Fiends. - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: *** |Ice Dragon| [Encountered in Chapter 12] - Similar to Red Dragon, very few of them, they look more menacing ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Common Red: Uncommon Difficulty: *** |Fire Dragon| [Encountered in Chapter 12] - Similar to previous dragons. More plentiful on this level. They can use flame breath at a medium distance and do a quick rolling attack. ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Common Red: Uncommon Difficulty: **** |Mammoth worm| [Encountered in Chapter 12] - A worm with two limbs to support it. Powerful melee attacks, shares no other characteristics with other worms except for the biting lunge and a few features Difficulty: *** |Flame Dragon| [Encountered in Chapter 12] - Largest and most powerful of the dragons! - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: **** |Alma Awakaned| [Encountered in Chapter 13] - 'Evolved' form of Alma, basically a dumbed down version that uses physical attacks much more - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: *** |Zombie Soldier| [Encountered in Tairon anytime after Chapter 11] - A much slower but much more powerful version of the Skeletal Zombie - They weild overgrown, mutated bayonets and will occasionally do a few slashes - They take many hits with even the most powerful of weapons, but are incredibly slow ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: Uncommon Difficulty: ** |Fiend Officer| [Encountered in Tairon anytime after Chapter 11] - Very, very quick fiend with a balance of power and defense - Uses a fireball from long to medium distance, often will throw you and blocks and slashes accordingly, often attacking with two more ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Common Red: Common Difficulty: **** |Phantom Pirhana| [Encountered anytime after Chapter 13 in Zarkhan areas] - Voracious fish that always appears with more than 5 'friends' and is quick to latch onto you. - One hit against them kills, yet the mere smell of blood attracts others, so prepare accordingly ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Common Red: Common Difficulty: *** |Cyclops| [Encountered in Chapter 14] - Related to the Wolverines. A large, metallica creature with pinchers and a large eye - Uses lasers at any range, swiping attacks, very agile and able to block, also utilizes a throw ESSENCE: Yellow: Common Blue: Uncommon Red: Uncommon Difficulty: ***** |Spiritual Doku| [Encountered in Chapter 14] - Slightly stronger form of Doku's former self Difficulty: **** |Demon Fiend| [Encountered in Chapter 15] - Fiend that sits on throne in Fiend World - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: *** |The Evil Vigoor Emperor| [Encountered in Chapter 15] - First form of the Vigoor Emperor, largest boss - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: ** |The Evil Vigoor Emperor| [Encountered in Chapter 15] - Final form of the Vigoor Emperor, like a pile of walking skulls - *See walkthrough* Difficulty: *** |The Dark Disciple| [Encountered in Chapter 16] - Dark Dragon Blade is all that fuels his mediocre powers. He can teleport, do some decent blade attacks... nothing to worry about, really. Difficulty: *** XI. <============================> Combat 101 <===========================> It is here I shall 'enlighten' you with combat tips for most weapons, the most effective moves, the proper uses of Ninpo, and etc. i. Infinte enemy respawn - It is true there are a number of areas throughout the game where you can go back and back, and back again fighting the same enemy to get loads of essence. This is MOST common with bats. Example: The Phantom Pirhanas in Chapter 15 ii. Faster movement - If you need to move faster, roll, then press A to jump, and roll upon landing, continue doing this. Keep doing this to move much faster than while running and look cool. iii. |Dragon Sword/Plasma Saber| - This is probably really the only weapon you ever need to kill anything in the game. Seriously, you can get it upgraded max fairly early and I used it on every boss, always, even though it's possible to beat them with other weapons. Basics: \It has average speed, power, and defense. All around good. \It has a number of arial attacks and underwater attacks \Easy to decapitate with Most effective moves: Tiger Roar |X X Y| - The meat and potatoes of any button smashing assault. Fang of the Wolf |X X Y Y| - Until your blade is at level 3, this is probably one of the more powerful combos yet easiest to remmber Blade of Nirriti |X Y X X X X| - A useful combo yet very easy for button smashers to figure out! Izuna Drop |X Y X X X Y| - The key to pulling this off flawlessly is PATIENCE and TIMING. After the inital slash, when you press Y, it SHOULD send them into the air. (This will not work on just about any enemy, namely those bigger than you) You will automatically jump up with them, and press X exactly three times before pressing Y, which is when the foe will be slammed down head-first. Flying Swallow |Jump towards enemy + Y| - Hands down best move in the game, in my opinion. It is a flawless move. It can be blocked, but often homes in on the closest enemy and goes right through them in a move reminding me of those anime sword fights! Gulliontine Throw |Jump towards enemy + Y| - Same as Flying Swallow? No, there is a difference. With the Flying Swallow, your blade must be out. With this move, to pull it off, your sword must be sheathed. Or press Y right when you are really close to the point where you would *realistically* crash into them, but don't since the game physics aren't THAT accurate. Flying Crane |Move stick in full circle + Y| - Perfect for when you are surrounded. iv. |Vigoorian Flails/Nunchaku| - At max level, Vigoorian Flails are probably 2nd best weapon to use in the game. I pretty much ignore Nunchaku, but for the small time they can be useful, they are similar to the flails. Basics: \EXTREMELY useful for multiple enemies and when you are surrounded. They has nice reach and with proper stringed combos, protect you flawlessly \Very, very, very easy to combo with. Every button smasher should love this weapon. Most effective moves: N/A - Let's be honest here, this weapon really doesn't have any moves that stand out like they do with other weapons. They are excellent for button smashing, wasting enemies quickly, and getting yourself out of tight spots. v. |War Hammer| - Somewhat useful, as it will help you get through cracked walls. But very few people find use for this, compared to the Dabilharo. Good to use until you level that weapon up. It's very slow. Basics: \POWER! Perfect for enemies like the dragons and even wolverines, which it can kill in 2 to 3 hits. \It's arial attacks, which are limited, are incredibly power and stop just about any enemy in it's tracks. \Only one price for an upgrade, and it's fairly cheap Most effective moves: Gleam of Heaven and Earth |X Y| - A lovely, basic finisher. The first hit will knock your enemy down or back, and the second will crush them to the ground! Flaming Torrent |Y Y| - Nice all around attack. Nothing special. Earth Slide |Press X wile running| - I found this useful for most enemies that were not bigger than me. It would knock them down and leave them wide open for pain. Raging Thunder |During Flying Bird Flip + X or Y| - Excellent for crushing enemies quick and cheaply. Six Paths Spin |Rotate stick + Y| - It's long range and power will put the hurt on any all around you. vi. |Dabilahro| - Probably the 2nd best weapon in the game once at max level. It boasts more power and defense (as in quicker to block with) than almost any weapon and rivals that of the Dragon Sword. It has the best speed as far as heavy weapons go. Basics: \Extremely easy to decapitate enemies with. You will find yourself killing enemies on average in 2 to 3 hits with this. \The staple weapon for taking on big fiends. You can kill any dragon fiend with one combo of this weapon Most effective moves: - It's combos are extremely basic, and the other moves are similar to that of the War Hammer, but there is one move, what I like to call the "Dragon Slayer" Flaming Hell Slash |X X X X X Y| - This is an extremely easy combo to pull off and after two swings it gets very fast. It decimates anything! vii. |Kitetsu| - I find this often better than the Dragon Sword, and actually it's my fave. weapon. It's a blade that is much more than meets the eye. Basics: \A mandatory requirement for the Kitestu is that it is more beneficial to you if you have the Armlet of Tranquillity equipped. This will stop your health from depleting the way the blade normally would do to you, but you will not recover your health like usual. \You can suck the life force of your enemies to gain health for yourself with one move \Don't be suprised if the blade doubles, this is normal! Most effective moves: - The Kitetsu is similar to the Dragon Blade in some areas, but it has some of it's own moves, many which are both sinister and devastating... Dark Rain |X X X| - This is the meat and potatoes attack of the Kitetsu. Two slashes and the hits following brings them down. Stab of Overpowering Evil |X X Y| - A great simple finisher. It starts off simple enough, but then Ryu unleashed the blade, which if it doesn't decapitate the foe, comes back like a boomerang to hit them again! Soul Eraser |X X+Foward X Y| - A straight on assault, ending with a one-way through to your enemy Hundred Curses Slash |Rotate stick + Y| Like the Flying Crane move, only better. viii. |Unlabored Flawlessness| - A very expensive weapon... is it worth it? I would say you'd have to use it for yourself. It is similar to other weapons, so I guess it borrows what it can to make a tuned-weapon. Basics: \It has decent speed, but serious strength in the blow \Like I said, it has borrowed moves from other weapons, with a few of it's own. You can even do an Izuna Drop with this weapon that packs the power of the War Hammer. Most effective moves: Izuna Drop |X Y X X X Y| - No-brainer (As in, this should be a default move to use) Flying Dragon Falling Slash |While jumping + X X X X| - An incredible arial combo. It's best used before you complete the Izuna Drop. Flying Dragon Falling Slash |X Y X X X X| - A very quick and powerful combo, it finishes off with arial attacks. Hundred Demons Bite | Foward + X| - A perfect starting move. This simple attack packs quite a bit of power, the enemy won't know what hit it. ix. |Dark Dragon Blade| - Consider this to be exactly the dark equivalent to the lvl 3 Dabilharo. Basics: \My strategy for this weapon will be about the same as that of the Dabilharo. Most effective combos: Flaming Hell Slash |X X Y| - A very quick and powerful combo. Dark Dragon Descending Fiends |Y| - An impressive attack that is actually a simple combo. Use with caution, as there is a brief pause before execution. x. Ninpo Ninpo guidlines: - Ninpo, upon use, makes you invunerable to all damage. - Ninpo kills 90% of Fiends in one hit - Ninpo is not the most effective on a boss |The Art of the Fire Wheels| - Pretty useful for a few chapters, depends. It will hit enemies that attack you, but cannot be upgraded and doesn't last very long. |The Art of the Inferno| - Arguably the most powerful Ninpo technique. It kills enemies touching you with your self-immolation going on, and Ryu homes in on the nearest enemy with a huge fireball. There is usually an explosion that hits everything nearby. BOOM! |The Art of the Ice Storm| - Useful in tight spots when you are surrounded. |The Art of the Inazuma| - Hands down, the best Ninpo. Not only powerful, but it hits everything. I never found it as useful as the Inferno one was for bosses, though. XII. |- - - - - - - -| CREDIT |- - - - - - - -| I would like to give credit to the following: Team NINJA and Tecmo: For putting together such an awesome game. Truly the best of action games to come out in the past decade and then some. This should not only be looked on as a great Xbox game or exclusive, but should set a standard for all third-person action games to come. It may portray a more 'mainstream' Ninja people have gotten to know, but with it's technical superiorities, balance of old-school gameplay with new, and overall fun factor, it is a win! IGN, site and board members: For the past few days, the site's code section and members that answered my questions to help me progress were amazing and I am grateful. I must also thank them for their own perspectives on the game that somewhat helped me to put this together in my own view and in a view that may help a general group of people playing this! seto21, steve haberstroh (CvaniaOnPS2ng4onXbox) on IGN boards: What I lacked in memory, they helped in, for telling me the names of the Chapters. QWAD, IGN boards: Thanks for the information about the 60 fiend fights for items! fuzzy, IGN boards: For organizing the FAQ thread which helped motivate me to make this. SlickTrick: His information about the Dark Dragon Blade. Andy(Canaan),LAFFCAM: Information on Golden Scarab in Chapter 5 Anthony Casedonte(boonskers): Tip on avoiding Alma's ultimate attack Jareth Tillery: Tip on totally avoiding Black Ninjas in Chapter 4 Galaxy Galaxy: Suggestion for movement/battle tips Julie Gagnon: BIG THANKS to her for being the first to send me a detailed guide of where every scarab was. Chris Zawada: Credit goes to him for being the FIRST to tell me about how to get the other NG games. THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE! Zwaffle, Suggestion to add infinte enemy respawn information. Mohammad Hamad: Tip for LOTG in Chapter 10 Ben Rabbani: Tip for Jewel of the Demon Seal in Chapter 13 Scott Punty: Unlabored Flawlessness information Wade G. &Ed Green, from GameFAQs Ninja Gaiden boards: Credit for being the first two to give the tip on dodging the Flame Dragon's seemingly unavoidable attack. Tenjinmon NINJA: Credit for Plasma Saber Mk II and Evil Ryu information. Rob Melillo: Tip for avoiding destruction of Suspension Bridge in Chapter 7 JeFFxPx: Alternative strategy for Flame Dragon, other combat suggestions. Zach Sekar: Dabilahro tips Danny Rego: Suggestion to mention time is counted while game is paused. Adam Khan, Chris Nguyen: Info on the fact that you CAN die by wasting time in Chapter 16 Frank Sanchez: Thanks for great tip on dodging the Magma Eel's attack easier. RuffRyderZilla: Tip on beating Tanks Martin Gilday: The very FIRST person to tell me of the 60 fiend challenge in the arena. Copyright 2004 Celsius (Paul Willis) XIII. AFFILATES www.gamefaqs.com www.ign.com www.neoseeker.com