Game:

Shaman King: Spirit of Shamans (2002)

Duration: 4:35

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46

This is a demonstration of the CPU-only Hao Asakura character being controlled by a human player. Read on for more information...

This is an unexpected event... if you remember the previous video I made on Hao Asakura, I stated that even if you use alternative methods to select him as your character, you could never actually control him in-fight, because he is automatically CPU controlled.

But after some experimenting, I have come up with a method for a human player to control Hao in Training mode. Unfortunately the result is a bit flawed and not what I had hoped for, but it's better than nothing. It confirms that the character does not have any moves programmed in for human control. Here are the following information about the event:

===== Information =====

---- When he disappears, you can keep track of where he is by looking at his shadow on the ground.

---- If you move forward or back with him, his sprite disappears and is blank. He reappears if you stop.

---- If you jump with him, he disappears and you cannot do anything. The opponent needs to hit him to make him reappear and recover.

---- If you crouch with him, he disappears and you cannot do anything. The opponent needs to hit him to make him reappear and recover.

---- Pressing any strike button will make him disappear. The opponent needs to hit him to make him reappear and recover.

---- He can block properly. This is the ONLY proper move you can do with him.

---- The Deflect command makes him put his hand up and makes Hao laugh and say something.

---- The Spirit Explosion command makes BOTH him and Hao disappear. The opponent needs to hit him to make them reappear and recover.

---- The R1 button dash commands make him disappear and slide forward or back across the screen. The opponent needs to hit him to make him reappear and recover.

---- No matter what you do with him, it won't freeze the game.

As a bonus, I've also demonstrated a Hao vs. Hao match as well, both obviously have to be CPU-controlled. You can see this in the latter half of the video.

===== Conclusion =====
It's been a while since I last encountered a half-truly unplayable character... and Hao is kind of in the '2D Mortal Kombat boss' category, as in under human control, he does not have any proper moves programmed in (which is why he disappears).

===== About Hao Asakura =====
He is a very powerful boss character in the game and his spirit is a giant creature. He cannot be stunned at all, which means that if he starts a move, he cannot be hit out of it. He starts off rounds with 550 SMP worth of lifebar - the highest out of all the characters.

The principle of the character and his spirit reminds me of Dust of Osiris from Melty Blood.

===== About SK:SOS =====
Shaman King: Spirit of Shamans is based on the Japanese manga/anime series of the same main title. The characters seem to be represented excellently in the game through the in-fight sprites and artwork. Voice-acting is also very good as well (as you'd expect from Japanese voice-actors). Due to the high number of sprites, animation and detailed backgrounds, the game runs at 30fps.

The gameplay is quite unique for a fighter, as each character possess a 'spirit', which means you get some out-of-the-ordinary moves. The game has a very simple and flexible combo system which involves just sequence pressing between the strike buttons in virtually any order you like to create a combo. There is also one button dedicated to executing a character's special moves, therefore, you won't find any quarter-circle or half-circle command moves here folks. Another unique feature is your spirit banner often popping up to tell you to press an input, this is used to build your spirit meter/gauge percentage should you press it successfully.

The music is also very well composed, and has plenty of genre variety which is designed to fit each character specifically.

Overall, a high quality game that is very rounded off and complete.

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