Kessen
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🙂 7.1/10
(Playstation 2 - JP, Strategy)
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Developed_By:
Koei
Published_By:
Koei
Released On:
01 Jan 2000
Kessen is a strategy game that tells the story of the events that brought feudal Japan out of a century of civil war and installed the Tokugawa Shogunate as the dominant political entity for the next two hundred years.
As either Tokugawa Ieyasu or his opponents, you'll engage in real time battles, including Sekigahara, one of the largest and most famous battles in Japanese history. Victory or defeat will steer you down a campaign trail, taking you either through the historical events of the time or down fictional 'what if?' scenarios.
Battles take place in real time, with you instructing your various generals on where to lead their troops, who to engage, and what special actions to perform. These special actions, such as firing your cannons, charging your opponent, or unleashing a flight of arrows, are depicted in close-up, cinema-like cut-scenes.
Before, after, and sometimes even during battles you'll be shown cut-scenes that depict the personal struggles of your various subordinates.
EAN-13:
4988615014291 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988615015359 (Japan)
UPC-A:
4988615017544 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988615018275 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988615019920 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988615019999 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988615021541 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988615022166 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988615024771 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4997766200446 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-65001 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-65015 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-65753 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-65781 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-65934 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-66093 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-74223 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-74231 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-74401 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-74413 (Japan)
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Media Type:
DVD-ROM
Number of Offline Players:
1 Player
Sound Capabilities:
Dolby Pro Logic II
Input Device Features Supported:
Vibration
Gamepads Supported:
DualShock, DualShock 2
Save Game Methods:
Internal Storage, External Storage
Controller Types Supported:
Analog Controller, Digital Controller
Prices as of 15 Sep 2026
Typical $5.42–$5.54 (last 90 days)
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
Kessen is a historical strategy game set in feudal Japan, focusing on the power struggles between prominent figures like Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Ieyasu Tokugawa. Players engage in large-scale battles and make strategic decisions to unify Japan and establish their rule.
Story
BACKGROUND HISTORY
INTRODUCTION
Japanese history is filled with stories of wars between clans. Many men fought for honor, loyalty to Shoguns, hatred, or the dream of ruling all of Japan.
Kessen is set in the Azuchi-Momoyama (1573-1603) and Edo (1603-1867) periods. This story features three classic motives: loyalty, hatred, and power, which spurred on Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Ieyasu Tokugawa.
HIDEYOSHI'S RISE TO POWER
Hideyoshi, a homeless son of a peasant, rose from obscurity to become the master of Japan. He feared another man would do the same and take his power.
Because of this fear, he established feudalism in Japan, enacting restrictive measures such as barring social mobility. This government was founded on personal loyalties rather than administrative centrality. While he pacified the country, he did not fundamentally change the Japanese way of life.
Hideyoshi rose through military ranks to become a general for Nobunaga Oda, who united Japan and captured the capital in 1568. Nobunaga also rose from poverty to glory. Hideyoshi had a special loyalty to Nobunaga due to their similar pasts.
In 1582, Nobunaga was murdered by General Akechi. Hideyoshi reacted brilliantly, defeating Akechi to regain control. He fought for almost eight years, eliminating all remaining opposing clans. When he defeated the Hojo family in 1590, Japan was reunited, and Hideyoshi became its master.
Hideyoshi then focused on maintaining power without instigating revolt or provincial sectioning. In 1588, all weapons of farmers and religious institutions were confiscated in the Sword Hunt.
All samurai were banned from farming and forced into castle towns. This created a clear social class distinction to increase government control. Hideyoshi made class a permanent status for individuals and their offspring.
He made the samurai, professional soldiers, into a separate class and forbade anyone not of the samurai class from carrying weapons or armor. He also ordered a huge land survey in 1583 and a census in 1590. Hideyoshi's own castle, Osaka, was completed in 1590.
The goal of preventing the lower class from taking Hideyoshi's power evolved into absolute control. In 1587, he issued an edict expelling all Christian missionaries.
He intensified Christian persecution in 1597, executing 26 Franciscans as a warning. He saw Christianity as the primary obstacle to achieving complete power. Hideyoshi's tactics, brawn, and single-mindedness worked, making him the complete master of Japan by 1590.
After uniting Japan, Hideyoshi's next goal was to conquer China. In 1592, the Japanese army invaded Korea and captured Seoul within weeks.
The Japanese army was pushed back by the stronger Chinese army the next year. Hideyoshi's lust for power led him to push on until the final evacuation of Korea in 1598. Hideyoshi died the same year, and his dreams of extending the Japanese empire over Asia died with him.
Ieyasu Tokugawa, a diligent partner of Hideyoshi and Nobunaga, became the most powerful man in Japan after Hideyoshi's death. The Toyotomi clan was chosen by Hideyoshi to be the successor power.
Ieyasu did not respect his promise to Hideyoshi of honoring and remaining loyal to the Toyotomi. Ieyasu wanted to become the absolute ruler of Japan. In the battle of Sekegahara in 1600, Ieyasu defeated the Toyotomi loyalists and other Western rivals.
Ieyasu achieved his goal, and in 1603, he was appointed Shogun and established his government in Edo (Tokyo). The Tokugawa shoguns continued to rule Japan for a remarkable 250 years.
Most of Hideyoshi's measures became the basis of Tokugawa rule and were instrumental in the long period of domestic quiet that characterized the Tokugawa, or Edo, period (1603-1867). In addition to practicing Hideyoshi's status control, Ieyasu redistributed the gained land among the daimyo, the more loyal vassals.
Every daimyo was required to spend every second year in Edo. This caused a huge financial burden for the daimyo and restrained their power at home. Ieyasu continued to promote foreign trade, establishing relations with the English and the Dutch. However, he still enforced the suppression and persecution of Christianity from 1614 on.
A TIME OF PEACE
The era of peace the Tokugawa are known for began in 1615. Once the Toyotomi clan was destroyed in 1615 when Ieyasu captured the Osaka castle, Ieyasu and his successors had practically no rivals. Peace prevailed throughout the Edo period.
Samurai warriors taught themselves not only martial arts, but also literature, philosophy, and the arts, like the tea ceremony. The goal then became to maintain peace.
Tokugawa shoguns established measures to isolate Japan, hoping to protect peace and prosperity. In 1633, shogun Iemitsu forbade traveling abroad and limited trade relations with China and the Netherlands. All foreign books were banned.
Because of no outside influences, domestic trade and agricultural production improved. Popular culture, like new art forms kabuki and ukiyo-e, became very popular during the Genroku era (1688-1703), which is still known for amazing art.
Controls
D-Button
Highlight menu items
D-Button++
Cycle choices/Move sliders
* button
Select/Go to next screen
▲ button
Return to previous screen
L1/R1 button
Select next unit
START button
Access system menu
SELECT button
Victory conditions
left analog stick
Rotates camera angle
right analog stick
Zoom Camera IN/OUT
L3 button
Re-center Camera
R3 button
Turn Mini-map ON/OFF
L2 button
View Map Screen/Enlarge/Reduce Map
R2 button
View Controller Guide
• button
Zoom in battle/Select general to be on camera/View unit list
■button
Call up cursor/View Detailed unit information
How to Play
Introduction
Welcome to feudal Japan. Kessen brings strategic Japanese warfare with unique graphics and gameplay.
This manual provides background information on the two clans, instructions for the in-game tutorial, and a complete guide to Kessen.
Main Menu
From the Main menu, you can start a new game, load a previously saved game, and manipulate game options.
•
Continue
•
New Game
•
Settings
Settings Options
•
BGM MODE: Toggle STEREO/MONO
•
BGM: Toggle ON/OFF
•
VIBRATION: Toggle ON/OFF
•
MINI-MAP: Toggle ON/OFF
•
CURSOR SPEED: Toggle between FAST/NORMAL/SLOW
•
SUBTITLES: Toggle ON/OFF
Confirming Settings
1. Press button when finished making your selections.
2. Press button to confirm your settings.
Tutorial: Start Game
Kessen has an extensive tutorial to teach you about the game.
Accessing the Tutorial
1. Select NEW GAME from the Main menu screen.
2. Press button to begin your quest.
3. Press button when you have finished reviewing the letter from the creator.
4. Press button to select Ieyasu Tokugawa and the forces of the East. You must play through the game with the East before playing with Mitsunari Ishida and the West.
5. The tutorial begins.
Tutorial Navigation
•
Press button at any time during the opening cinematic sequences to advance to the next section.
•
Press button at any time during a battle event sequence to end the sequence.
Identifying the Tutorial
You will know it is the tutorial and not an active game because TUTORIAL is displayed in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
Ending the Tutorial
After the initial instructions, you will be able to press the START button to end the tutorial and take control of your army.
Note
Default options are listed in bold in this manual.
Main Menu Selections
When you play Kessen, CONTINUE, NEW GAME, and SETTINGS can be selected.
Cannonade
The Cannonade inflicts great damage on the enemy from long range. It is an extremely effective strategy against Cavalry attacks.
Volley
Foot soldiers slow down the enemy's attack by unleashing a deadly rain of arrows.
Spear Wall
Arrange a line of spears to block the advance of your enemy. Spear Walls are effective at slowing down enemy Cavalry.
Charge by Cavalry
Charge through the opposing army dealing great damage and slowing down their attack.
Enemies & Characters
IEYASU TOKUGAWA
Supreme Commander of the Eastern Forces, he has a great ambition of unifying the country and attempts to eliminate conservative forces, with the Toyotomi clan at the top.
OKATSU
Concubine of Ieyasu, she always goes to battle with him, often rescuing him from crises, and is rumored to be a blood relative of Hattori Hanzo.
TADAKATSU HONDA
A seasoned commander trusted by Ieyasu and a born strategist, he was never injured in battle and tales of his bravery are well-known.
PRINCESS SEN
Granddaughter of Ieyasu Tokugawa and wife of Hideyori Toyotomi, she worries about her grandfather and husband fighting on opposite sides.
MASAMUNE DATE
Supreme ruler in Tohoku with strong cavalry, he is ambitious and plots to reign over the entire country in cooperation with foreign powers.
MASANORI FUKUSHIMA
One of the two greatest heroic combatants on the Toyotomi side, he takes Ieyasu's side due to his intense hatred for Mitsunari Ishida, despite his obligation to the Toyotomi clan.
NAOMASA YI
A brave commander representing the Tokugawa Army, he leads the elite force "Akazonae," whose members are former subordinates of Takeda Shingen.
MITSUNARI ISHIDA
Supreme Commander of the Western Army, he plots to destroy the growing Tokugawa force for the Toyotomi clan and possesses a great sense of justice, sometimes opposing other commanders.
LADY YODO
A beautiful lady who attracts generals of the Western Army with her charm, she is also the mother of Hideyori, the head of the Toyotomi clan.
SAKON SHIMA
Military Advisor under Mitsunari Ishida, he is excellent in both tactics and strategy and is called "Lion-hearted Sakon" due to his abrasive fighting manner.
JOSUI KURODA
As Hideyoshi's advisor, he helped unify the country and, despite being retired, quickly assembled an army in Kyushu upon learning about the combat between Ieyasu and Mitsunari.
YOSHIHIRO SHIMAZU
He once led the Shimazu army to conquer Kyushu, making him famous, and although old, his military skill is still highly-regarded by Ieyasu.
YUKIMURA SANADA
A man of chivalrous spirit, he is good at military arts and familiar with strategies, and as the guardian of the Toyotomi side, he stands in the way of Ieyasu.
SASUKE, KOSUKE, AND SAIZO
Kunoichi (female ninjas) under Yukimura Sanada, they help in his attempt to kill Ieyasu.
YARI (SPEAR)
The main weapon in the Warring States Period, Tadakatsu's favorite spear, Tonbogiri, is named for its ability to cut a dragonfly in half.
CANNON
Also called Ozutsu or Kuni-Kuzushi, cannons are deployed by both the Eastern and Western armies.
GUNBAI
Used by commanders to signal a charge or retreat, it can also defend against attacks from swords, arrows, and bullets, with Mitsunari's being made of iron.
SHIPPU-RENDO
A new weapon deployed by both sides, it shoots 10 spears simultaneously.
Tips & Maps
FIGHTING STRENGTH
The ability of a general directly affects the strength of his unit. Grasp the strength of each unit precisely to best utilize your forces.
SOLDIER TYPE
Pay attention to the soldier type. Make the best use of each unit by knowing their characteristics and special maneuvers.
OUTFLANK AND DESTROY THE ENEMY UNITS ONE AT A TIME
Surround the enemy. Use several of your units to outflank a single enemy unit, which helps to reduce your damage and to boost the morale of your units.
CAVALRY AND FOOT SOLDIERS
Cavalry is good at close fighting but is weak against long-range weapons. Foot soldiers are strong against long-range attacks but rather weak in close fighting.
ZEAL
A unit must have a Zeal of 80 or more to perform a special maneuver. When you use a special tactic, the figure decreases, so time your attacks carefully.
SOLDIER TYPES AND FORMATIONS
The available number and the type are restricted by the formation and the soldier type respectively.
DISTANCE FROM THE ENEMY
Barrages, Cannonades, Artillery and Volleys are used for long-range attack. The range is indicated by a yellow highlight.
SPECIAL MANEUVERS
Utilize these maneuvers to effectively outwit your opposing clan.
BARRAGE
There are three types of Barrage attacks: Barrage, Mounted Barrage, and the Triple Barrage. These maneuvers allow you to attack the enemy from long range with deadly precision.
FLYING FUSILLADE
This is a special form of the Mounted Barrage. Attacks occur as the Cavalry chases down the enemy.
BALLISTA
Effective against most troop types, the Ballista attack consists of a round of spears being launched using the Shippu-Rendo.
RAID
Perform a raid and lower the enemy's zeal.
SAVING AND LOADING
Save or load a game. Never insert or remove a MEMORY CARD (8MB) (for PlayStation 2) when loading or saving files.
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