Swordmaster wrote:
Ah, yes, Shiki Eiyuuden ka? I shall have to try that one when the time comes. It's amazing that there are still so many great RPGs that remain untranslated.
Yep, and Shiji will almost literally come out of nowhere. It's not only a very tough and complex RPG, it's the first one I've encountered that follows very closely to the ancient history of anywhere. The script is chocked full of factual events, people, and legends. The one depicted in the graphic below originated when the Japanese were still hunters/gatherers during their prehistoric times. Later, the Japanese adapted the "carp's" journey up the Yellow River to their own folklore that became centered around the koi fish. I renamed it "carp" in Shiji, since that's what the Chinese called their mystical fish, and this story does take place in China, not Japan (but it was written by Japanese authors).
Because I am so short of bytes in this game, I can't share the full richness of these fables, wisdom of the Taoist philosophers, history, and military strategies that emerged during the Warring States Period. I just have to skim over them lightly, "Wham, bam, this what happened man - move on!" But you can search on Dragon Gate, Yellow River, torrent, carp, and warring states. Eventually, you'll find the whole story - both China's and Japan's versions. I won't spoil the whole fable here, but during certain festivals, people in Asia today display Carp Streamers. For some boys, this legend becomes a metaphor for a rite of passage to manhood.