===============================================================================
Chaos Wars
===============================================================================
Platform: Playstation 2                                  Author: Georgi Samaras
Developer: O~3 Entertainment (2008)               E-mail: SophiaLee04@yahoo.com
Genre: Turn-based Strategy RPG                                    Version: 1.01
Rating: T (Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence)   Last Updated: June 21, 2009
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Table of Contents
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Introduction ....................................................... [int]
Cast
- Original Characters ............................................ [org]
- Spectral Force ................................................. [spe]
- Shinsengumi Gunrou-den ......................................... [sgd]
- Shadow Hearts .................................................. [sdw]
- Growlanser ..................................................... [grw]
- Gungrave ....................................................... [gun]
- Steady X Study ................................................. [sxs]
- Dengeki PlayStation ............................................ [dps]
- Rebirth Moon ................................................... [rem]
- Mars of Destruction ............................................ [mod]
Controls ........................................................... [con]
Game Flow
- Base ........................................................... [bas]
- Events ......................................................... [evn]
- Battle ......................................................... [bat]
Battle Basics
- The Status Screen .............................................. [tss]
- Skills and Realize ............................................. [skl]
- Battle HUD ..................................................... [hud]
- Battle Options ................................................. [bto]
- The Golden Rules ............................................... [tgr]
Walkthrough
- Chapter 1 ...................................................... [ch1]
- Chapter 2 ...................................................... [ch2]
- Chapter 3 ...................................................... [ch3]
- Chapter 4 ...................................................... [ch4]
- Chapter 5 ...................................................... [ch5]
- Chapter 6 ...................................................... [ch6]
- Chapter 7
- Visiting Sluc ................................................ [c7s]
- Facing Laru .................................................. [c7l]
- Chapter 8 ...................................................... [ch8]
- Chapter 9 ...................................................... [ch9]
- Chapter 10 ..................................................... [c10]
Credit/Thanks ...................................................... [mct]
Author's Notes/Version History/Hosts/Legal Info .................... [mal]
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Introduction                          [int]
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Chaos Wars is a strategy RPG that has been out for a couple of years in
Japan but has recently made its way overseas thanks to O~3 Entertainment.
Offered as an exclusive release through GameStop, it was pushed back
multiple times with a release date surrounded by confusion, so if you were
able to be patient enough to get a copy, kudos.
The game itself is one huge crossover encompassing titles from companies
like Aruze, Atlus, Idea Factory, and RED.  The story involves three high
school students who skip school to search for a cave that is said to lead to
another world, where there is supposedly a god that will grant wishes.  They
end up falling into a parallel universe named Endia, the End of All Worlds.
Deemed "Knights" in this world, Hyoma, Hayate, and Shizuku work to find a
way home while helping other Knights to do the same.  The story is NOT canon
where any crossover characters are concerned.
The real lure of this game is the huge roster, but the battle system is
interesting in and of itself.  Don't be shocked to find that this guide is
more of a battle primer than an actual walkthrough; the reason will become
apparent soon.  Before you begin playing, do yourself a favor and turn off
the English voices and either stick with Japanese or none at all.  The
reason for that will also become apparent sooner than you think.
As for this walkthrough, it was written 1) to help you understand the basics
of the game as well as I can understand them since the game's manual and
tutorial are crap, 2) to help you get as many recruits as possible in one
playthrough, 3) to lay out how to recruit all 50 knights, and 4) to give
you background info on characters from games most of us have never heard
of.  Long story short: I have a love/hate relationship with this game, and
I may have blown a gasket somewhere during the writing process due to its
aggravatingly frustrating nature.
Enjoy!  :D
===============================================================================
Cast
===============================================================================
This section is not meant to tell you what allies are the best or who is a
shoe-in to win a fight.  With the right equipment and a high rank, any
character can hold their own in battle.  Instead, this list is going to
provide some tidbits on allies, enemies, and NPCs and the series in which
they appear.  I will also detail their Realize skills, weapon preferences
(i.e. - what they have equipped during their Realize state), and when and
how they actually join your party (if they are able).
Character recruitment in this game is grueling enough to categorize this
title as a puzzle game along with "strategy" and "RPG".  Some of the tougher
character recruitment requirements were figured out with help from posts on
the GameFAQs message boards and a Japanese walkthrough for the game.  The
walkthrough will outline specific steps you need to take to get as many
characters as possible through a single playthrough.  Here, I'll just tell
you where they'll show up.
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Original Characters                      [org]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Because the crossovers can't happen without a catalyst...
Rin
---
Rin Sunroad is a Gate Master, one in a long line of her family who is able
to utilize the Gates scattered around Endia to their fullest, as well as
being able to transport at will.  Rin is important to the group as she is
the only one who knows what the hell is going on.  As soon as a new Knight
joins, Rin is called on to recite the facts.  She is always trying to be
useful and responsible, but it usually ends in her putting words into
people's mouths: "You think I'm a good-for-nothing, don't you?"
Joins: automatically during chapter 1, act 1
Weapon of Choice: wand
Realize: Thousand Arm; Rin summons a portal to another dimension and
conjures up a bunch of random items to throw at an enemy
Hyoma
-----
Hyoma Kusaka is a sourpuss.  He also thinks he's a badass and resorts to
calling people names when they don't see eye-to-eye with him.  He is
incapable of being excited about anything, even something like having a
prophetic dream about a cave leading to another world behind his high
school and then actually finding it.  Seeing it as a way to ditch school,
he rather likes the change of scenery Endia offers and, though he is one
of the first to ask for a way back, he sees no real need to rush the
matter.
Joins: automatically during chapter 1, act 1
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Guilty Break; Hyoma traps a single enemy in a ring and runs them
through with a spear of light
Hayatemaru
----------
Hayate Mudoin sees himself as a comedian, even if no one else does.
Perhaps this is why he follows Hyoma around: to provide the comic relief
his "friend" lacks.  Even though he has a black belt in karate and has
trained himself to wield a spear, Hayate constantly relies on Hyoma to
protect him, especially in the strange land of Endia.  This makes him
really, really annoying.
Joins: automatically during chapter 1, act 2
Weapon of Choice: spear
Realize: Angry God Attack; Hayate runs through a single enemy nine times
while "chanting" the Nine Syllable Seals
Shizuku
-------
Shizuku Mizuki is a gamer.  Having followed Hyoma and Hayate to Endia with
no apparent reason other than "They were going, why shouldn't I?", she's
anxious to get back for no apparent reason other than to catch the latest
video game release.  She's also a spaz; she always carries a harisen
(paper sword) around with her and won't hesitate to whack people with it.
She could probably do this with surprising force since she has practiced
kendo.
Joins: automatically during chapter 2, act 2
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Harisen Dance; Shizuku spins her dual harisen to send an enemy
flying in the air where she then proceeds to chop them up
Wruzel
------
The daughter of the chieftain on Pagoras Island.  Because of the way of
life there, she was brought up to hunt and fight and believes that
anything that can be won by force is hers for the taking.  She lives by
that rule even when it doesn't work in her favor; a fair fighter if ever
there was one.
Joins: defeat her with Hyoma in chapter 4, act 1
Weapon of Choice: axe
Realize: Gaia Rave; Wruzel uses her axe to call upon the power of Mother
Earth to rise up and damage enemies
Yoichi
------
Yoichi is a gunman for the secret organization known as the Luin.  He is
sadistic, cruel, and loves a good fight.  He knows more than he lets on
but won't part with valuable information unless he can strike a deal.
Weapon of Choice: gun
Realize: Thunderbolt Cannon; Yoichi fires a ball of light at a group of
foes and explodes it when they are completely engulfed
Lubul
-----
A monkey that lives on Elshant Island.  With his low IQ and aggressive
behavior, he has nothing better to do than be annoying.  He has the
uncanny ability to sense what sets a person off and then does it
repeatedly.  For some reason, he falls in love with Shizuku after she
beats him near to death with her paper swords.
Joins: during the second stage of chapter 4, act 3, have Shizuku Realize
and deal the finishing blow with her Harisen Dance
Weapon of Choice: spear
Realize: Heaven Tour; Lubul summons a tornado to sweep the field and
suck up enemies (at least, that's what the game says it does;
Lubul's Realize is glitched and therefore unusable)
Zard
----
Zard is an eccentric detective from Toriltram Island who has been
collecting keys in search of a certain one.  He apparently cannot remember
anything from his childhood and is looking for a way to fix that.  Though
he seems shady, his advice seems sound and his endeavor is serious enough
to trust him.  However, that doesn't mean he isn't a jerk that won't make
you complete random tasks for information.  He is in possession of a
Master Key that resonates with others nearby.
Joins: automatically after chapter 5, act 2
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Open the Door; Zard uses his giant, key-like sword to open a
portal to another dimension that sucks in multiple enemies
Sluc
----
Rin's childhood friend and representative of Shalulu Island.  She must
have been typical when they were young: Sluc teases Rin and pushes her
around just enough to make Rin cry but not enough to actually hurt their
friendship.  She wields a crossbow infused with the power of a god, but
Sluc ultimately breaks it every time she uses its special power.
Joins: during chapter 7, make sure she takes little damage during the
"Saigou Takamori" quest; act is dependent on whom you chose to
talk to first at the beginning of the chapter
Weapon of Choice: gun
Realize: Imeramihi; Sluc charges up her crossbow and fires a high-powered
bolt of energy covering a large damage radius
MAKO
----
A "Multi Attack Kill Object" discovered on Toriltram Island.  She is a
battle android, and that is about all anyone can say.  No one knows her
creator, when she was made, or even her original purpose, not even her.
She knows no allies and acts according to her program, which is to attack
anything that is not registered as an ally.  By causing her to shut down
and reboot, one is able to register themselves as a friend and avoid
needless destruction.
Joins: if you chose to see Sluc, do a 4+ stage at Toriltram Island and
defeat her with Grave in the fourth stage; she may only appear if
RB, Juji, and Bunnji have been recruited
Weapon of Choice: gun
Realize: Genocide Ray; MAKO creates a nexus point in the midst of a group
of enemies and send explosions hurtling towards them via her
massive weapons
Laru
----
Laru Branshen is the current captain of the Kishidan, whose base is on
Radiance Island.  His family has been in charge of the peace-keeping group
for many generations.  Since the founder of the Branshen family and the
Kishidan (in other words, Laru's ancestor) was a Knight, Laru can Realize,
so the power is apparently hereditary.  Laru takes his job very seriously
and will do anything he can to protect the public and keep them at ease.
Joins: if you chose to see Laru, defeat him in chapter 7, act 2 but do
not save unless you actually see him in your roster; if he does
not appear, reload and try again
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Flame Dust Sword; Laru uses his family's sword to materialize a
sun and burn away an enemy
Emily
-----
Emily is a naval freak.  She is a Lieutenant Commander in the Japanese
Imperial Navy and even took the name of a famous naval cruiser, the
Itsukushima, as her last name.  Taking it one step further, Emily even
wears a uniform based on the ship's design.  Why?  Her one dream is to be
a battleship cannon.  Nobody cares, really, as it's no surprise that Emily
is no fighter and doesn't have a place in battle.  Her weapon is proof of
this: it was a victim of design failure and can't even fire correctly.
Joins: during chapter 8, act 2, defeat her before Gaizan
Weapon of Choice: gun
Realize: Battleship Cannon; Emily uses her peculiar headdress to seek out
an enemy and then pummels them with her cannon
Ovia
----
Ovia Edis is a witch that has taken up residence for who knows how long
in the Imperion Library.  Having so many books around her, coupled with
her magic powers, has given her the knowledge to understand the nature
of Endia and a possible way to get Hyoma and his party home.  She likes
to seduce men (with or without her magic) and wears clothing to match
her hobby.
Joins: automatically after the "Ovia's Record" quest in chapter 9, act 1
Weapon of Choice: wand
Realize: God of Destruction; Ovia summons ghosts with a spin of her cane
to come haunt her target and then steal away their soul
Nagare
------
Nagare Tessin is a ronin (masterless samurai) from the Azuchi-Momoyama
period of Japanese history, which was a time of political unification
preceding the Tokugawa shogunate's establishment.  He only cares for
three things: training, swords, and fighting.  Because of this, he became
a mercenary as soon as he was transported to Endia.  He may be an
excellent fighter, but he is a little underdeveloped in the area of
intelligence.
Joins: during chapter 9, act 1, complete the "Kishidan Counterattack"
quest at Pagoras Island after defeating Nicole, making sure Nagare
does not sustain a lot of damage during the second stage
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Wait Just a Sec!; true to its name, Nagare's Knockout lets him
take multiple last minute swings at an opponent by dancing
around to their vulnerable side
Shelley
-------
The adopted daughter of Lygen, Shelley presents herself to Hyoma's group
as a Gate Master, much to the surprise of Rin.  She is a Knight since she
can Realize but also seems to possess powers not unlike a true Gate
Master, including teleportation and the ability the use the gates.  Her
origins are unclear; what is known is that she will do anything to help
her father, is spoiled rotten, and loves dolls.
Joins: the specifics for Shelley are an absolute mystery; some
possibilities are in the walkthrough under chapter 9, act 2
Weapon of Choice: doll
Realize: Night Dance; Shelley gets in the spotlight and puts on a show
for enemies in her range that is apparently so awful it causes
major damage
Lygen
-----
Lygen Boltiano, supposedly of Endia, is the leader of the secret
organization known as the Luin.  His one goal is to collect keys in order
to change the very fabric of Endia itself, which he explains as "creating
a Paradise".  A devoted father, Lygen wants to do everything he can for
his little girl, Shelley, who he calls his Princess.
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Dark Execute; Lygen traps multiple enemies in a magic seal where
he slashes them with his Dark Blaster
Endia
-----
The originator of the Sunroad family, Endia is a manifestation of the Egg
of the World's will.  It is Endia's job to use the Gates to absorb
parallel worlds.  Even though he is connected to the Egg, Endia has a will
of his own and desperately wishes to put an end to the Egg's destructive
tendencies.  To this end, he uses the gates to summon strong Knights to
help him, though none have succeeded.
Joins: defeat Endia during chapter 10, act 2 when the sun is in phase 0
Weapon of Choice: sword, spear, fist, wand, book
Realize: Chaos Gate; Endia inverts colors and rains chaotic energy on a
group of unfortunate foes
Egg of the World
----------------
The will of Endia is basically a storage for parallel worlds' infinite
possibilities.  To give an example, if you come to a fork in the road and
choose the left path, then the Egg absorbs the infinite possibilities
that would have emerged from you taking the right path.  The Egg grew a
will of its own and wanted to create its own world by absorbing others
using the Gates and those who control them.
Realize: Band Gig; the Egg of the World recreates the Big Bang to damage
enemies in its range
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Spectral Force                          [spe]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are numerous games all related to the Neverland setting, so I'll just
refer to them all as the Spectral Force series, made by Idea Factory.
Related games concerning Chaos Wars include Spectral Tower (1996), Spectral
Souls (1997), Spectral Force 2 (1998), Generation of Chaos (2003), Radical
Elements (2004),  and Blazing Souls (2006).  A couple games are in English:
a PSP version of Spectral Souls (2006) and Generations of Chaos (2006), and
Spectral Force 3 (2008).
Hiro
----
Hiro, or Hillo as she's called in recent remakes, is the major icon for
the series.  She's the daughter of Overlord Janus, the Devil ruler of
Neverland who actually fought for equality and justice.  Though she has
some devil features, she inherited her power over fire from her mother.
Hiro continued her father's work by acting as a leader of the Devil's
Army multiple times throughout Neverland's turbulent history.  She wields
an impressive scythe, the Gate of Heaven, that she has used to save her
father, sister, and brother's souls from turning into evil spirits.
Joins: automatically during chapter 1, act 2
Weapon of Choice: scythe
Realize: Hell's Cruel Fire; Hiro uses her father's scythe to call upon
her mother's power of fire to burn multiple enemies using five
hellish flames
Wallace
-------
Wallace, from the third Generation of Chaos game, isn't one to be cooped
up in a building or sitting around doing nothing.  He is always eager to
explore and pick fights with any new monsters that should cross his path.
He served as a member of the royal guards for the Kingdom of Radia on the
Old Continent and succeeded in defeating the devil beast Zenon.  He's a
good person and will gladly lend his fighting skills to a worthy cause.
You could also call him a bit eccentric; like a dog, he is often caught
leaving his kills around the base.
Joins: in chapter 2, act 1, have Hiro deal the finishing blow to Gaizan
to get the Dual Sword Key
Weapon of Choice: double sword
Realize: Dark Baron; Wallace makes multiple swipes with his dual swords
and then charges after summoning the strength of the Dark Baron
Tonaty
------
From Radical Elements, Tonaty is a young boy who is actually king of
Olutaded, which lies between human and devil territory.  Because of his
important position coupled with his age, he is sensitive about his height
and also suffers from an inferiority complex because of his father's
reputation.  Because of his typical boyhood nature (arrogant as all get-
out), he is not one to get pushed around except by his childhood friend,
Tiria, who is the only one who can seem to keep him in line because of
her equally aggressive nature.
Joins: in chapter 2, act 1 have anyone but Hiro finish off Gaizan to get
the Blue Wing Key
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Astral Claw; Tonaty calls upon his other personality, Soma, to
sweep enemies in with his giant wings and attack
Mue
---
Mue is descended from the legendary Warrior Chiffon who defeated Janus
with the Devil's Sword.  However, she does not know this, having been
adopted by Rodney, a famous trainer.  Mue seems to have inherited some
fighting prowess along with her ancestor's sword, as she went through
training at the Varanoire School and ended up fighting for Neverland in
the Rozes Liberation Army to end the Seven Years War as quickly and
peacefully as possible.
Joins: use the Devil's Guardian Key obtained after the Shalulu Island
quest in chapter 2
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Devil Meteor; Mue uses the Devil's Sword to gather energy and
rain it down upon enemies in the vicinity
Orochimaru
----------
A leader of the people on Muromachi island to the far east of Neverland,
Orochimaru is a fan of wine, violence, and women.  There's a reason he
leads the "eat, drink, and be merry" lifestyle: he was almost killed when
he was younger but survived by fusing with the Spectral Emperor Dragon's
soul, which was a six-headed dragon guardian of the Spectral Tower of
chaos.  Like all characters in the Spectral series, Orochimaru fought in
one of the many Neverland wars, but he was later banished by the corrupted
Shinba Empire for treason.
Joins: defeat Ryoma Sakamoto in chapter 3, act 3 when the sun is in phase
5 or lower to get the Huge Serpent Key
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Howling Emperor Thunder Attack; Orochimaru unleashes the power of
the Emperor Dragon sealed within him, raining wide-range
destruction (after tearing off his shirt first)
Luwenelva
---------
Named Yunellia in a recent remake, Luwenelva is Mue's former teacher and
a legendary drinker.  She graduated top of her class at Varanoire and has
made a name for herself as a famous instructor, helping boys and girls
alike learn the ways of Neverland warriors.  She heads the Rozes
Liberation Army, serving as a guardian angel for her charges and their
cause.  She has had a turbulent past, having lost a loved one to the
battlefield, and tends to mask her pain.  Once she starts drinking, she
is hard pressed to stop and usually ends up awkwardly embracing any female
companions close by.
Joins: defeat Ryoma Sakamoto in chapter 3, act 3 when the sun is in phase
6 or higher to get the Heavy Drunkard Key
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Devil Claw Attack; using her large sword, Luwenelva takes
multiple swipes at an enemy and finishes by trapping them in a
ball of energy
Zeros
-----
Zeros is the main character from the Blazing Souls off-shoot of the
Spectral Series, which takes place ten years after the Seven Hundred Years
War.  He is a mercenary - a Freelancer - who will do anything depending on
the price and has no regard for human life whatsoever.  He is actually an
artificial being, so calling him an inhuman monster because of his
penchant for killing any living thing is well-founded.  He's also rude
enough to warrant such a name.  He wields a gun, a sword, and the power
of a destructive force called the Core Elemental.
Joins: select the "Choosing to Stay" event during chapter 5, act 3 and
pick him instead of Ires
Weapon of Choice: sword, gun
Realize: Heaven's Drive; first comes a kick to the moon, then comes a
high-powered shot, then comes a burst of energy from the Core
Elemental in Zeros' artificial arm
Gaizan
------
From Spectral Force, Gaizan is a military nut and has a history with Hiro,
whom he looks down on for her heritage.  He is in charge of the armed
forces of the Doum Nation on the Neverland continent; since they are a
warlike country, whoever rules the military is important enough to rule
the rest.  Gaizan puts his militaristic duties above all else, even
family, but he ultimately fails even at his passion.  He developed robot
soldiers to bolster his forces, and he was eventually banished by his own
creations when they revolted against him.
Joins: during the "Les Miserables" quest in chapter 9, act 1, land the
finishing blow with Emily alone in 8 turns or less
Weapon of Choice: gun
Realize: Doum No.4 Cannon; Gaizan unleashes the mechanized cannon in
his artificial arm to blast away at a single enemy
Wave
----
From Spectral Tower, one of the first Spectral games released in 1996 in
Japan, Wave is famous throughout Neverland for being the first to reach
the top of the 10,000-floor Spectral Tower.  He is also the first to
defeat the Spectral Emperor Dragon that lived at its peak.  The price for
this act was complete destruction of his mind, but not death.  He lives
on as a wraith-like, soulless being.
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Devil Final; Wave performs a vicious downward stab, causing the
earth underneath a group of enemies to rise up
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Shinsengumi Gunrou-den                     [sgd]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A historical action game produced by Red Entertainment in 2005 and then
given a European release under the title Code of the Samurai. The major
focus is, of course, swordplay.  The game drew its characters and
atmosphere from the real life Shinsengumi, who were a peace-keeping force
for the Tokugawa shogunate.
Being lightning-fast samurai, all Shinsengumi allies have the power to
avoid attacks while Realized.  It requires one S Gauge, and you can tell
when it is going to happen when the camera focuses on the character after
an enemy's turn starts.  A d-pad set up will show on the screen and one of
the arrows will flash.  Hit the corresponding arrow and the circle button
and the character will dodge any and all damage, as well as disrupt group
attacks.
Okita Soji
----------
The famous captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi, said to be a
genius swordsman capable of moves only he himself could perform.  He
perfected the Sandanzuki (Three Pierce Thrust) and invented the Mumyo-ken
(No Light Blade), both of which were capable of hitting three vital parts
of the body in one strike.  He was the second youngest member of the
Shinsengumi and died at the young age of 27 due to tuberculosis.  Though
Okita and Hijikata are on brotherly terms in the game, there is no record
of them being close in real life.
Joins: automatically during chapter 2; act is dependent on which key was
obtained at end of chapter 1
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Dragon Fang Blade; Okita focuses on a single enemy and performs
lightning fast jabs
Hijikata Toshizo
----------------
Deputy leader of the Shinsengumi who actually helped form the group.
Calling him a stern leader would be an understatement; he would not
tolerate any behavior that would tarnish the image of the Shinsengumi,
and his harsh treatment of deserters and traitors earned him the nickname
"The Demon of the Shinsengumi".  He is a skilled swordsman himself, having
perfected the Hirazuki, a move Okita was said to use as the basis for
his Mumyo-ken.  He died fighting a battle he knew he couldn't win so he
could give his all for the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Joins: use the Wolf Fang Key gained after chapter 2, act 3
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Air Dance Sword; Hijikata draws his famous blade and proceeds to
slice his enemy, ending with a vicious blow and a samurai pose
Okada Izo
---------
A legendary assassin of the Bakmatsu period of Japanese history with
several films dedicated to his extraordinary character.  He resided in
Kyoto and acted for the Tosa Kinnoto group which was led by Takeshi
Hanpeita.  Through his long years of service, he developed an unmitigated
love for killing and no longer cared for politics.  He was arrested and
executed in 1865 for his crimes.
Weapon of Choice: double sword
Realize: Kikokubanon; Izo goes to work cruelly slicing an enemy into
little pieces with his swords
Sakamoto Ryoma
--------------
Sakomoto Ryoma was the leader of a movement created with the purpose of
destroying the Tokugawa shogunate (the Meiji Restoration).  He was heavily
inspired by the western idea of all men being created equally, so his
vision for Japan's future required the removal of the feudal system.  This
is also why Chaos Wars put a Smith and Wesson pistol in his arsenal,
though whether or not he actually carried one, I cannot say.  Ryoma was
assassinated at the age of 33, and the Shinsengumi forces were long
thought to be responsible for his death.
Joins: during chapter 6, act 1, land the finishing blow on Ryoma with
Okita only, as well as finish with an A rank
Weapon of Choice: sword, gun
Realize: Critical Attack; Ryoma attacks a single enemy with a flurry
of pistol shots and sword swings
Saigou Takamori
---------------
Saigou Takamori seems to be the only character that the game has taken
extreme liberties with in regards to historical accuracy.  In reality,
he was the "last true samurai" and extremely active against the Tokugawa
shogunate.  He also argued against the modernization of Japan and its
creating ties with the West (he would, however, end up fighting in the
Satsuma Rebellion in a western style uniform with guns and cannons).
In the game's universe, Saigou is weak from sunlight and was forced to
use a body double.  He was also intent on becoming ruler of Japan and
"selling" the country to America; he even used a rifle and a broadsword
to fight.
Weapon of Choice: sword, gun
Realize: Flying Spiral; enveloping himself in fire and spinning like a
fired bullet, Saigou zips through a group of enemies, causing
extreme damage
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shadow Hearts                          [sdw]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This fantasy RPG series was developed by Aruze and plays with historical
periods like World War I and Prohibition.  The first title (Shadow Hearts)
was released in 2001, followed by a direct sequel (Shadow Hearts: Covenant)
in 2004 and then a semi-unrelated third installment (Shadow Hearts: From the
New World) a year later.  Its claim to fame is the Judgment Ring battle
system, which is actually implemented in Chaos Wars.
When initiating any of the following allies' Realize moves, a disk will
appear on the screen.  In this disk are orange hit areas and red strike
areas.  A needle will automatically sweep the ring; your task is to press X
when it is over the red or orange.  If you hit any, your damage increases;
if not, your attack will still do damage, just not as much.
Uru
---
Uru (Yuri) Hyuga is the half-Russian, half-Japanese main character in the
first two games.  He fights with his fists but also has a rare fusion
technique, a hereditary power that allows him to collect the souls of
monsters he has killed and reform them into a monster into which he can
transform.  The periapt (Tengaiho) around his neck is a manifestation of
his soul which is constantly in danger of being devoured by Malice
(negative energy).  Despite his rough-around-the-edges attitude, Uru is a
nice guy at heart and will never hesitate to stand up for what is right.
Joins: automatically during chapter 2; act is dependent on which key was
obtained at end of chapter 1
Weapon of Choice: fists
Realize: For the Child; the Dark Seraphim flies into the sky to rain down
energy on any enemies unfortunate enough to be near him
Karen
-----
Karen Koenig appears in Shadow Hearts: Covenant.  A sword-fighting German
noble and lieutenant in the army, her job was to take the city of Domremy,
which Uru was guarding.  After an act of betrayal on the part of Paladin
Nicole (who wanted to exorcise Uru), she ended up traveling with Uru's
group in order to put an end to Sapientes Gladio, the society Nicole was
working for under the Mad Monk Rasputin.  She later became a love interest
for both Uru and Nicole but couldn't hold a candle to Alice in Uru's eyes.
Joins: automatically during chapter 2; act is dependent on which key was
obtained at end of chapter 1
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Sonnestark; using the hero Roland's sword Durandal, Karen
summons a Phoenix to burn multiple enemies
Joachim
-------
Joachim is a flamboyant professional wrestler who also happens to be a
vampire.  For every Shadow Hearts title, one member of his family, the
Valentines, appears as a party member.  He was a secret boss in the first
game and joined the fray in the second game, fighting for truth and
justice.  He masquerades as a vigilante freedom fighter, Grand Papillon,
and uses anything he can find as a weapon: a hollow pipe, a desk, a
frozen tuna, you name it.
Joins: automatically after the "That name is..." quest during chapter 2,
act 3
Weapon of Choice: fists
Realize: Artem Buster; Joachim materializes a wrestling pole out of the
ground and uses it to perform a super belly flop onto an enemy
Roger
-----
A staple in the Shadow Hearts series, Roger is one of a few characters to
appear in all three games.  He is a magician as old as time, but he still
finds time to act immature.  He loves playing the dramatic, and he has a
thing for erotic magazines.  He has a hard time remembering his name, and
players always get the chance to assign him one.  However, as soon as they
enter a new name for him, he suddenly remembers his old one.
Alice
-----
Alice Elliot is a young English girl in possession of great spiritual
power.  When her father was murdered and she was targeted by several
sorcerers in the first Shadow Hearts, it was a reluctant Uru that saved
her life at the behest of a mysterious voice in his head.  The two
eventually grew on each other, so much so that Alice did not hesitate to
give up her life in order to save Uru's from the God of Death.  Her
sacrifice gave Uru a new lease on life, but he never got over his loss.
Joins: automatically during chapter 3, act 5
Weapon of Choice: book
Realize: Advent; Alice summons a pyramid to shoot energy at enemies
standing in front of her at a distance
Gepetto
-------
A puppeteer from France and Alice's uncle, Gepetto joined up with Uru when
he arrived with Alice's body in Zurich.  After that, the two worked with
the townspeople of Domremy to protect it from German forces.  Gepetto
never goes anywhere without Cornelia, a puppet modeled after his daughter.
With her, he is able to pull off amazing magic, as well as entertain the
children of Paris.
Joins: automatically during chapter 3, act 5
Weapon of Choice: doll
Realize: Ecstasy; Cornelia separates into three, surrounds her target,
and then summons a large planet-shaped ball of energy to blow it
away
Anastasia
---------
A [fictitious] princess of the Romanov imperial family, Anastasia worked
tirelessly to protect Mother Russia from Rasputin and Sapientes Gladio
with help from Uru in Shadow Hearts: Covenant.  She later decided to
travel with him and fell hopelessly in love with Kurando during their stay
in Japan.  Because she saw her trek to save the world as a vacation and
herself as an imperial envoy, she snapped pictures of everything she saw
and is able to use her photos to summon monsters.
Joins: automatically during chapter 3, act 5
Weapon of Choice: fists, easter egg
Realize: Euthanasia; Anastasia pulls out a photo of the demon Orobas who
hits multiple enemies with water blasts hazardous enough to cause
status ailments
Kurando
-------
Uru's cousin from Inugami village.  Kurando shares the same soul fusion
ability as his relatives, without the hassle of Malice or trying to escape
exorcism from secret societies.  Kurando is all about honor and tradition,
and he worked as a yojimbo (bodyguard) until he joined Uru's cause.  The
young warrior is inexperienced when it comes to soul fusion, but he is an
excellent swordsman.  His mother was instrumental in bringing Shadow
Hearts: Covenant to a close, and she was glad to help, if only to get
her boy out of the house.
Joins: automatically during chapter 3, act 5
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Heavenquake; using his great strength, Jutendouji shakes the very
earth underneath a single enemy in order to do damage
Nicole
------
Nicole (Nicolai) Conrad is the bastard son of a Russian noble.  He joined
the secret society Sapientes Gladio in order to take his place on the
throne: after Rasputin would off the tsar, Nicole would off Rasputin.  But
before any of that, he had to settle a score with Uru.  The two final
bosses of the first Shadow Hearts were Nicole's targets, and he never
forgave Uru for snatching away his prey.
Weapon of Choice: sword, book, wand
Realize: Bright Crest; Astaroth traps multiple enemies in a prism of
light and causes rays of energy to rain upon them
Great Gama
----------
Joachim's sensei in the art of wrestling, the Great Gama hails from India
and smells of curry.  His alter ego is the Great Question, and the sole
purpose of the Man Festival is to find someone with the spirit to take
over the mantle.  He is responsible for one of the wackiest sidequests in
the history of RPGs.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growlanser                            [grw]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Growlanser series has quite a few titles and most of them are actually
available in English.  The first was released by Atlus in 1999.  A unique
aspect of the series was the RMC (Real time Mission Clear) system, in which
the story actually progressed and characters conversed during real-time
battles.  The series also has a habit of making the protagonists silent,
letting the player mold their personalities.
Carmine
-------
The hero of the very first game, Carmine was a foundling that was thought
by Rolandia court magicians to be either a bringer of light or a curse of
darkness.  He was adopted by one of the magicians, Sandra.  Carmine served
as a knight of the kingdom and was given the title Growlanser ("Savior of
the Light") for his good deeds.  In actuality, his fate was not in the
light but the darkness portion of the wizard's prophecy: Carmine was an
artificial being sent to spy on the human world.  However, he turned
against his creator in favor of those who raised and cared for him.
Joins: anytime during chapter 2, do a 3+ stage quest at Shalulu Island and
Carmine will join after the third stage
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Surround Attack; Carmine projects a field around him and sends
out waves to damage anyone within it, finishing by dashing around
the inside and slashing away
Tippi
-----
A homunculus created by Sandra to watch over Carmine.  She actually has
genuine feelings for him but won't hesitate to pull out a Tippi-chan Kick
if he starts acting stupid or perverted.
Monica
------
Monica is half-human, half-Featherian (a feathered race that appears in
the third Growlanser game).  The wings on her back aren't fully formed so
they are incapable of flight.  This fact leaves her ostracized from the
rest of her kind.  They live in flocks and have no sense of individuality,
so Monica is often left wondering what to do with herself since she is
alone.  She likes to handle things by herself and is wary of others since
she is used to being mistreated.  Finding others that are as unique as her
would help her feel at home, though.
Joins: anytime during chapter 4, do a 3+ stage quest at Garaze Island and
Monica will join after the third stage
Weapon of Choice: sword, wand, book
Realize: Piercing Attack; Monica throws every weapon in her reach at
enemies unlucky enough to stand in her line of sight
Zeonsilt
--------
Called Haschen in the English releases of the fifth Growlanser game,
Zeonsilt is an orphan who grew up in a small town under the control of
the Peace Maintenance Brigade, who did just what their name implied.  He
joined after surviving an attack by Screapers (amphibious monsters that
attack the famished cities), and he became a valuable asset after having
an operation that enhanced his hearing and allowed him to weaken the
Screapers.  Zeonsilt doesn't talk much because players were able to make
his dialogue choices for him, thereby molding his character.
Joins: use the Two Spears Key gained after chapter 4, act 1
Weapon of Choice: spear
Realize: Rejection; after going to town on multiple enemies with his
famous set of lances, Zeonsilt jumps away and charges into the
fray with serious firepower
Corin
-----
The Tippi to Zeonsilt's Carmine, Corin is a fairy that left her forest
looking for a savior of light, a Growlanser.  Though Zeonsilt isn't the
one she's after, she becomes his traveling companion in order to find a
legendary hero good enough to become her owner.
Jurien
------
Jurien (or Julian) is actually a girl named Julia Douglas, a member of
the distinguished household famous for producing imperial knights.  In
order to become a knight herself, she was raised as a boy under the guise
of Julian.  She would later shirk the ruse and form an all-female order
of knights, titled the Order of the Unicorn, and captain it herself.  She
was in the first Growlanser game, so she is familiar with Carmine.
Joins: complete the "My Road" quest anytime during chapter 5
Weapon of Choice: sword
Realize: Improved Attack; Jurien slashes an enemy and shoots them with
energy emanating from her sword
Mervina
-------
Mervina is the vice-commander of the Peace Maintenance Brigade that
Zeonsilt was involved in.  She is completely devoted to keeping the
peace and is well-suited to the job.  Her impressive weapon is a scythe
that rends the air, the body, and the soul.  She always appears calm,
cool, and collected but doesn't always succeed at keeping her emotions
in check.  Every now and then, some sadness seeps through.  And don't
bother asking about her wings; she'd rather not answer your silly
questions.
Joins: anytime during chapter 6, do a 3+ stage at Elshant Island and land
the final blow on Mervina with Zeonsilt alone
Weapon of Choice: scythe
Realize: Wind Blessing; Mervina rends the air to create a vortex that
damages enemies and heals allies
Lyell
-----
Ernest Lyell appears in the second Growlanser game as an exile from the
kingdom of Bernstein.  His loyalty to his friends was what eventually led
him to such a fate: his friend King Richard recruited Lyell as a knight to
help give him guidance and hone his talents, but Richard was seen as an
imposter and a manipulated tool, and all of his followers were gotten rid
of.  For an Imperial Knight, exile is serious punishment, and Lyell is
cold, quiet, and aloof because of his status.
Joins: if you've recruited Monica, put her in your main party and
complete the "Gentle Sinner" quest anytime during chapter 6
Weapon of Choice: double sword
Realize: Surround Attack; Lyell traps all surrounding enemies in a
barrier of light and rushes in and out, slashing as he goes
Silvernale
----------
From Growlanser IV, Silvernale is a soldier in the employ of the Valkania
Royal Guard.  She's extremely loyal and shows genuine concern for the
people she protects.  She's an excellent fighter because of her
leadership qualities, her ability to strategize and utilize fighting
tactics, and her prowess with a Ring Weapon.
Joins: anytime during chapter 6, complete the "Royal Card" quest at
Shalulu Island, finishing with a B rank or higher and with
Silvernale taking very little damage
Weapon of Choice: dual swords
Realize: Improved Attack; Silvernale slashes an enemy and shoots them
with energy emanating from her sword
Chriass
-------
Chriass, or Krious, is from the fifth Growlanser game along with Zeonsilt
and Mervina.  He is actually a fellow member of the Peace Maintenance