| Brief Info on Stage |
Shinshu Fields, much like Hyrule Field in many of the Legend of Zelda games, is the main 'HUB' of sorts in Okami. When Amaterasu and Issun first reach Shinshu Fields, it is corrupted by a large amount of dark magic. To save the fields from corruption, Amaterasu ventures into Hana Valley and restores the Guardian Sapling (a cherry blossom tree that guards the area) in the Valley to full health. When she returns to Shinshu Fields, she does the same thing to the Guardian Sapling there, using the new brush technique 'Bloom' she acquired in Hana Valley's darkest cave.
Shinshu Fields is a lush and vibrant area where few monsters roam, and where entrances to several levels in the game are, including the Agata Forest. The fighting dojo where Amaterasu learns new techniques is located in Shinshu Fields, as is a pyrotechnician's home, as well as a wood artist's home. Wild boars and pigs like to call the area their home as well.
Characters such as Mr. and Mrs. Orange, Kushi, Mushi, Mushi's Mama, Hayabusa, Waka, and Nogiri Sensei (in both calm and crazy versions) can be seen walking around the fields.
If Amaterasu is on the stage and her controller inputs the following taunt buttons (Left, Right, Up) a few times, then Issun will walk out infront of the Guardian Sapling, though still in the background, and will tell Amaterasu about a random opponent on the stage through an Okami-style textbox. This is much like Snake's Codec.
Some examples of 'Talk to Issun' include the following:
Mario: Hey there, Ammy! That Mario guy is one well-known moustache, I tell ya that! He has appeared in over 50 games... Heh, in fact he is LEAGUES more popular than you are, mutt. He attacks with a wide arrange of styles, including your basic punches and kicks, as well as a fireball, and even a devilish little yellow cape that can deflect projectiles! Eh... I better go now, you look sorta angry at me!
Kirby: Watch out Ammy... If that pink marshmallow, er, eats you, you'll be in for it! Kirby can copy your Bloom ability, as well as a unique part of your... yeah, body, just like that if you aren't paying attention... And I don't think any of us want that! Can you imagine that thing with your reflector on his back...? Oh, the horror! |
| Layout of Stage |
Most of the fighting takes place in the middle of the field in front of the Guardian Sapling, which is completely flat. On either side of the stage, the ground elevation slightly lifts upward, providing two extra platforms of sorts.
When the Guardian Sapling is dead, four branches, with two on its right side and four on its left, serve as extra platforms as well. |
| Hazards on Stage |
When the Guardian Sapling is dead, a curse is spread across Shinshu Fields. It either slows down characters (timer effect), or speeds them up (bunny hood effect). Purple Japanese kanji can be seen floating around both the trees and the fighters while Shinshu Fields is cursed.
When the Guardian Sapling is alive, there are no status effects but no branches serve as platforms either, as they are completely filled up by cherry blossoms.
Sometimes boars will come running straight through the stage, providing themselves as obstacles that deal 5-10% damage depending on its size. Boars travel in packs of four or five. Pigs and rabbits will calmly walk around the stage for a little while, but won't deal any damage.
Besides boars, pigs, and rabbits, hawks may also fly over the stage in groups of three, throwing small rocks onto the stage dealing 4% damage to anyone hit by them. After throwing the rocks, the hawks will fly away. |
11:53 AM Dec 8
