System: Playstation 2 and Nintendo Wii
Publisher: NISA
Category: Action/Simulation
Available Now

  “Sakura Wars” (Sakura Taisen) was originally released as an Anime back in the early 1990’s. A team of female, with a few male, stage performers who also protected the world from things ranging from random hoodlums to Demon’s since its formation in 1920. Sakura Taisen released 5 (4 main titles and Sakura Taisen V: Episode 0) other games in the series starring Ichirou Ohgami, but for the first time we get a localized version from NISA: “Sakura Wars So Long My Love”; the 5th title in the series.

  It is 1928 and Shinjiro Taiga has been called by his uncle for an important mission. Shinjiro believes he would be placed in Japans Defense team and ends up being transferred to New York under his superior’s request to help bring order to a city fueled by diversity and overrun with crime. It doesn’t help the moment he arrives he is already caught up in the life of a New Yorker as a bank robbery takes place in New York’s Wall Street section. During the fear and panic, a mysterious woman riding a horse stops the robbers and tosses Shinjiro the stolen money….as Shinjiro tries to figure out what just happened he is arrested in suspicion of the robbery. He meets someone asked to watch over him by Ichiro and shows him to the Littlelip Theater. Shinjiro meets Ratchet and Mr. Sunnyside, the two people in charge of both the Theater performances and the New York Combat Review team, Star Division. Shinjiro learns they were actually expected Ichiro over him, but Shinjiro vows to prove his worth.

  Shinjiro is introduced to the members of the Star division: Sagitta Weinberg, and Subaru Kujo. Also, Plum Spaniel and Anri Yoshino from the Rainbow division are also there to provide assistance and back up for the Star Division. Shinjiro starts off as a an usher and cleaner boy with another cleaner Gemini Star, born and raised in Texas but dreams to be a stage performer. When an unidentified enemy attacks New York, Shinjiro believes it’s his duty to help, but is told he isn’t needed and sinks into depression with thoughts of giving up. He soon meets Diana Caprice who will give him the courage to follow his destiny.

  “Sakura Wars: So long, My Love” is a heavily text based game, featuring aspects of a dating simulator, letting you grow closer to each of your teammates based upon your responses to their questions and actions. The better your responses the higher your compatibility raises which affects the ending as well as raises the power in team attacks. You are also given a chance to free roam between 4 areas in New York including: Harlem, the Theater,
Mid-Town, and the Village. You are able to play mini games using the analog sticks and see character side stories, complete assignments for bonuses, and run into your teammates to improve your compatibility.

  This game has more than only text reading and mini games, what kind of game featuring a Samurai from Japan and divisions built for defending New York would only be text based? Not this one. “Sakura Wars” also focuses on a strategic action game where each character of the Star Division pilots a mech (basically a giant robot) that is suited to their style and personality (ex. Shinjiro with Katanas, Sagitta with chains representing the law, and Subaru with Japanese fans). Every chapter has 3 scenarios; story mode, ground fighting mode, and lastly air mode.  The set up is very basic. Shinjiro gives orders to his teammates as they face off against demons and other mechs. You are given 2 Bars, one for specials drains when you heal, activate dual team attacks, or activate the Special move each character has. The other bar is your action bar that allows you to walk around stage and attack. A certain amount of movement drains the action bar, so using as little movement can be the key to battles, other usage of the action bar includes attacking, which you can choose how much you spend on it, but is limited to a combo of 5 attacks. You can still attack after that but combos only reach 5. Finally, air mode, which is very similar to ground mode. As it implies, your team’s mechs turns into planes. You do the same thing over again but the air mode fights require more skill to move around.

  “Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love” is actually a very fun game for being a title released over 5 years ago on Japan. “NISA” picked out a game is very enjoyable and has a very strong story spanning 8 chapters giving each character a more in depth look in their personalities and past. Art style is still frame and Anime cut scenes, but the background design of the game is very impressive for a PlayStation 2 title, and each character has their own special track in the game which is featured in their introduction and endings. 

  All in all even if this is one of the last PS2 titles, “Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love”, gives gamers something to really enjoy and gives you a choice on how you want to play it. It is available for both the Nintendo Wii using the Wii mote, or the Gamecube controller or get the Limited edition Playstation 2 version including an art book, Gemini poster and 2 copies of the game (1 disc featuring the English voices, and 1 featuring Japanese voices) and after playing both version, I love the Japanese voice actors because I grew up watching the previous Sakura Wars anime but on the English voices, you will be very happy with a lot of the voice actors chosen for the roles as many are very familiar and suits the role they are playing, Either way the Playstation 2 version is a great pick up for the price and all the goodies.

**Written by Christopher Del Castillo