Sega making Shinsengumi game with <i>Rurouni Kenshin</i> creator

TOKYO--According to the upcoming issue of the manga weekly Shonen Jump, Sega's Red Entertainment division is developing a 3D swordfighting action game for the PlayStation 2, which will be based on the Shinsengumi, the real-life military group from Japan's late Edo period. Titled Shinsengumi Gunrou-den, the title's key selling point will be that manga artist Nobuhiro Watsuki, creator of the popular Rurouni Kenshin series, will be designing the characters. Rurouni Kenshin, sometimes retitled Samurai X in its US incarnations, revolves around the same historical events.

Shinsengumi Gunrou-den takes place in the late 19th century, when foreign influences over Japan were growing stronger and the government's power was getting weaker. The player's objective in Shinsengumi Gunrou-den is to protect the old capital city of Kyoto against a group called the Ishin Shihi, who are plotting a revolution that would bring down the feudal government, and restore the country's control to the Emperor.

The player in Shinsengumi Gunrou-den takes the role of the real-life Shinsengumi commander Okita Soushi, and fights against the Ishin Shishi with sword slashes and various special attacks. Other historical Shinsengumi members such as Saitou Hajime, Kondou Isao, and Tsujikata Toshizou are confirmed to be in the game, although it's unknown for now whether or not they will be playable.

Fans of Watsuki's art will note that the character designs of Shinsengumi members in Shinsengumi Gunrou-den are different from those in the Rurouni Kenshin manga series. For example, while Okita Soushi appeared in Kenshin looking nearly childlike, he's depicted in Shinsengumi Gunrou-den as a young man.

Shinsengumi Gunrou-den is slated for release in December at the retail price of 7,140 yen ($65).