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Based on the 1981 movie that was inspired by the novel "Makai Tensei" (Samurai Reincarnation) by Yamada Fuutarou, players adopt the persona of 16-year old Amakusa Shirou Tokisada who led a farmer's rebellion (The Shimabara Uprising) against the Matsukura ruling family in 1638. Squeezed by overbearing taxes as mandated by Matsukura Shigemasa, the ruler of the Shimabara territory - who used the levies to build an extravagant castle, farmers were persecuted and tortured if they refused to pay. The corruption and heavy duties led to the rebel uprising which gathered nearly 40,000 men in a bid to topple the Matsukura influence. Despite some military successes, the rebellion was eventually put down in a last stand at Hara Castle on February 28,1638 by a force of 124,000 men sent from the ruling Edo Bakufu (Bakufu means tent government - since the military forces lived in tents). Shirou and his rebel army were slaughtered with only a lone traitor spared. In the novel, Shirou rises from the dead and recruits and resurrects powerful warriors such as Miyamoto Musashi with black magic to aid him in another bid to take vengeance on the shogunate. The Makai Tensei game follows the plot of the movie closely and features recreations of key scenes in the movie, distinct sword fighting styles, 100 weapons to use and legendary swordsmen to recruit and/or battle. Players battle opponents in 3-D environments and hack 'n slash with assorted fighting styles to dispatch monsters as well as humans with extreme prejudice.
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