Battle Arena Toshinden 3
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| Battle Arena Toshinden 3 | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Tamsoft/Takara |
| Publisher(s) | Takara (JPN) Playmates (US) SCEE (EUR) |
| Platform(s) | Sony PlayStation |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Versus fighting game |
| Mode(s) | Players: 1-2 |
Battle Arena Toshinden 3 for PlayStation is a 3D weapons-based fighting game and sequel of Battle Arena Toshinden 2.
Toshinden 3 is the first of the main series not to be ported to other platforms. It is also the only game in the series that has game play differences between the Japanese version and subsequent US and European releases. The US and European versions have a simplified method of blocking, altered reversal attacks and two new game play modes; Practice and Survival.
Whereas Toshinden 2 was largely built upon the first game, Toshinden 3 radically changes the series' gameplay. Most notably the arenas are now enclosed, allowing players to launch opponents into the walls and ceilings in order to juggle them with further attacks. The combo system has also been reworked, with every character possessing a preset list of combos.
As well as the 14 starting fighters, the game also adds a huge 18 unlockable fighters bringing the total to 32, though most of them are largely mirror images of the original 14's fighting styles.
Story
Unknown to the participants, while the previous "tournament" was occurring, they were being watched by another sinister group simply known as the "Organization".
The Organization intended to summon their dark god to earth in order to wreak havoc.
In order to do this they needed a purehearted boy to use as a vessel and the blood of strong fighters.
For the former they targeted a boy named David.
For the latter, they chose the Toshinden fighters. The Organization trained assassins in the Toshinden fighters' fighting styles. Led by their leader Abel, they set out to try and capture the Toshinden fighters.
Characters
Initially playable characters
- Eiji Shinjo - the main protagonist of the series, he is still trying to find his elder brother Sho.
- Kayin Amoh - Eiji's friend, he seeks to avenge his master at the hands of The Organization, to make a better world for his foster daughter, Naru.
- Sofia - An assassin once in control of The Organization, who fights to prevent others from being slaves to the group.
- Rungo Iron - A miner who's town and family were being threatened by The Organization. Nothing will stop Rungo and his huge club.
- Bayhou - A mysterious monkey who watched Fo Fai train, and adopted his claw-based fighting style. No one knows why he is fighting, or who's skull he is carrying on his back.
- Mondo - The leader of a powerful ninja group, he wields a powerful spear and fights to restore balance to the world by eliminating The Organization.
- Duke B. Rambert - A powerful, handsome French knight. He considers himself something of Eiji's rival after losing to him in the last game.
- Ellis - Raised by gypsies, after freeing her real father, Gaia, from The Organization, she seeks to destroy it once and for all.
- Gaia - The former master of The Organization, he is now marked for death. He fights in order to finally move on with his life.
- Chaos - Chaos' reasons for participating are unknown. He was an executive for The Organization, but now he's insane. Chaos carries a scythe, and has unorthodox attacks.
- Tracy - A tough, New York cop who is paired with Nagisa in trying to investigate the organization. She specializes in electrical and blast attacks.
- David - A mysterious orphan with terrifying power, he fights to understand who he is and what his connections are to The Organization.
- Shizuku Fuji - A woman who found David on the brink of death and seeks to help him.
- Nagisa Iwashiro - A Tokyo cop who is trying to investigate The Organization in order to take it down.
Unlockable characters
- Leon - A soldier of The Organization. He fights to prove he is the strongest in the world. (Eiji's sub boss)
- Ten Count - A cruel assassin in The Organization, who is largely based on Michael Jackson. (Kayin's sub boss)
- Zola - An Opera singer who is being used an an assassin, he wants to free herself. She is based on Catwoman. (Sofia's sub boss)
- Adam - A robot created by The Organization's lab. He fights to become more human and live differently. (Rungo's sub boss)
- Cuiling - A mysterious triad assassin, defeating The Organization is the ultimate test for her. (Bayhou's sub boss)
- Toujin - A high-ranking member of The Organization, who wears a Tengu mask. He has secret motives to resurrect his dead wife. (Mondo's sub boss)
- Balga - Current leader of a family who has been seeking the destruction of Duke's family for centuries. (Duke's sub boss)
- Atahua - A former prince of an ancient kingdom who has been controlled by The Organization. (Ellis' sub boss)
- Tau - A soldier of The Organization, he is trying to find a way out of his current way of life. (Gaia's sub boss)
- Schultz - The high priest of The Organization. He has secret aspirations of wrenching control from Abel. (Chaos' sub boss)
- Rachael - Tracy's neglected twin, unknown to Tracy, who was raised as a soldier for the organization. (Tracy's sub boss)
- Judgement - David's friend, corrupted by The Organization. He is a heartless former shell of his old self. He seems to be a tribute to Jason Voorhees. (David's sub boss)
- Miss Til - The fortune-teller of The Organization, a mysterious prediction has led her to fight. (Shizuku's sub boss)
- Vermilion - The chief enforcer of The Organization. Vermilion is a mysterious shadowy killer wielding two guns. (Nagisa's sub boss)
- Sho Shinjo - Eiji's brother, who for reasons unknown, has been involved with The Organization, thus secluding himself from Eiji. Has Eiji & Kayin's moves. (first boss)
- Abel - The current leader of The Organization, an ambitious megalomaniac who wants to usher in a new age of darkness. (normal boss)
- Veil - An imprisoned member of The Organization, Abel's defeat in high-difficulty unlocks the seal preventing his escape. (true boss)
- Naru Amoh - Naru wants to prove to Kayin that she is able to take care of herself, and avenge her father on her own. (secret character)