River City Ransom EX

Infobox VG
title=flagicon|JPNダウンタウン熱血物語ex
flagicon|USARiver City Ransom EX
flagicon|South Korea熱血高校(열혈고교)


caption=North American boxart
developer = Million co.,ltd (GBA)
WindySoft (phone, Win)
publisher = Atlus (GBA version)
WindySoft (phone, Win)
designer =
engine =
released=flagicon|JPN2004-03-05
flagicon|USA2004-05-25
flagicon|South Korea2008-05-29 (phone)
genre = Beat 'em up
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: T (Teen) (GBA version)
platforms = Game Boy Advance
media = 32-megabit cartridge (GBA)
requirements =

"River City Ransom EX", released as nihongo|"Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari"|ダウンタウン熱血物語ex|Dauntaun Nekketsu Monogatari ex|"Downtown Nekketsu Story ex" or "Downtown Hot-Blood Story ex" in Japan, is a Game Boy Advance version of the River City Ransom EX released for the Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System.

Early Japanese orders also include a Kunio strap.

Gameplay

The most notable change is the loss of a true cooperative mode. Instead, the game can be played with an AI-controlled partner, and players may exchange the data of their own characters to fight alongside each other.

In addition, the game include vast amount of configurable options that can adjust game play on the fly, such as changing AI behaviours, amount of enemies in 1 map area, shop item reshuffling frequency.

The password system is replaced by battery backup, which allow saving up to 12 characters. Character's appearances, keystrokes for learnt techniques, even enemy characters can be customized and saved using secret shop items. A saved game does not store story progress, reputation. It only store player's statistics, learnt techniques, possessed item and money, player's name, player's appearances.

Although this game does not have password, naming player in certain names can change player's techniques, statistics, items, cash, or delete all saved characters.

Diagonal walls featured in the NES game no longer exist. As a result, in the GBA version map 9, it is no longer possible to throw enemies into water.

This version can display up to 8 characters (the player, his 3 allies and 4 enemy characters) on-screen at once. The number can be adjusted in game.

Recruit system

Player can gain an additional computer-controlled allies and formed a "posse" who helps the player-controlled character on his adventure. Some of these are boss characters already featured in the original NES version, while others are taken from later "Downtown Nekketsu" games. The player's character can be accompanied by up to 3 AI-controlled partners.

The allies that can be hired depends on the story progress, player's existing allies, and player's reputation. Once an ally is recruited, the ally cannot be dismissed throughout the game.

Player's reputation is invisible, but it decreases when:
*Defeating every 4 minor enemies within a map
*Attacking boss before completing speech
*Attack fallen enemy
*Attack ally
*Crash into wall
*Death of ally (including suicide)Conversely, player's reputation increases when:
*Defeat 20 minor enemies within a map
*Defeating boss
*Hiring an ally
*Player is knock down
*Player attacked at knock down phase
*Receive hits 4 times
*Player dies

Techniques

8 extra store-bought techniques are added, up to total of 12 store techniques. Each player can learn up to 12 techniques. In addition, each boss character (including Kunio and Riki) includes a unique set of techniques, which can be saved into character slot by using secret shop item.

Some secret shop items, such as magic pants, consumes 1 technique slot per item.

Characters

7 new schools are added from the NES release, with 2 from other Kunio video games. Ryuichi and Ryuzi are updated to further pay homage to the Lee brothers from Double Dragon series, by adding Double Dragon opening theme during their entrances, using hair colours from the Lee brothers (However, in Korean Windows and phone release, both characters have brown hair), and using the attack moves of Lee brothers.

Localization

This was the second version of "River City Ransom" to undergo an English localization (unlike this wiki which was written in 'Engrish') following the NES original. Although, the game uses the same westernized names from the original NES localization for the main characters and some of the gangs, most of the gangs and all of the small fry enemy characters were given new names. Unlike the NES localization, the game's graphics were mostly left unchanged from the Japanese version and the characters kept their Japanese school uniforms in the American release.

Re-releases

Windows version

An online version with 3D environment was developed by WindySoft Co.,Ltd.'s "ARN Gamez" division. [ [http://www.4gamer.net/news/history/2005.11/20051109224521detail.html Windysoft，「熱血高校オンライン」など新作ラインナップを公開] ] [ [http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjcwOTkwMDg 热血高校S online宣传动画] ] The service was expected to begin in 2006. The company also uses the English title "Kunio Online".

Mobile phone version

In addition to the online game, WindySoft also published a mobile phone version based on River City Ransom Ex graphics, under Windymobile title. This version added cut scenes, map, and combo counter. It was available on SK Telecom, KTF, LG Telecom networks.

References

External links

* [http://www.atlus.co.jp/cs/game/gbadvance/downtown/ Atlus Japan page]
* [http://www.atlus.com/rcr/ Atlus USA's "River City Ransom EX" web site]
* [http://www.windysoft.net/games/blood.htm WindySoft page]
* [http://www.windymobile.co.kr/game/view_game7.php Windymobile page]
* [http://www.donga.com/fbin/output?n=200807010420 RCR mobile preview]