Dark Legend

Overview

Outlaws of the Lost Dynasty (known in Japan as Suiko Enbu, loosely translated to "Water Margin Wargame") is a 2D historical-fantasy weapon-based fighting game developed and released by Data East for arcades (running Saturn-based Sega ST-V hardware) in 1995.

Based on the Chinese classical novel Water Margin (similar to Bandit Kings of Ancient China and the Suikoden series) and set in 12th century China, Outlaws of the Lost Dynasty pits 12 outlaws against each other in a martial arts contest by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. The game is unique for its breakable/discardable weapons (as a form of "guard crush"), which alters the player's movelist and changes powerful Weapon attacks to quick Punch attacks.

It was first ported to the Sega Saturn in Japan on August 11, 1995, adding an optional arranged mode that rebalances gameplay and adds new moves for each character. It was released in North America on October 1, 1995 as Dark Legend and later received a Japan-exclusive update in March 22, 1996 (titled Suiko Enbu: Fu'unsaiki, adding new game speed options and an updated roster).

The game was later ported to the Sony PlayStation, exclusive to Japan on January 26, 1996. It was later re-released by Hamster (as a budget "Arcade Hits" title) on October 31, 2002, which was digitally re-released on the PlayStation Network in August 12, 2009 (for Japan), October 5, 2010 (for North America as an import title), and May 16, 2012 (in Europe as an import title). The import version is listed in the PSN store as "Arcade Hits: Outlaws of the Lost Dynasty".

Characters

The original release of the game includes 11 playable characters and 1 unplayable boss (with two forms). Each character in the Japanese version has a different pronounced name (with its own Romanized version).

The final boss was later made playable in the Versus Mode of both console versions, while the PS1 version added two hidden characters (including a new sub-boss and a guest character).

• Shi Jin (also known in some versions as Shishin)
• Lin Chong (also known in some versions as Rinchuu)
• Hu San Niang (also known in some versions as Kosanjyou)
• Dai Zong (also known in some versions as Taisou)
• Li Kui (also known in some versions as Riki)
• Lu Zhi Shen (also known in some versions as Rochishin)
• Gong Shun Sheng (also known in some versions as Kousonsyou)
• Wu Song (also known in some versions as Bushou)
• Ruan Xiao Er (also known in some versions as Gen Shouji)
• Ruan Xiao Wu (also known in some versions as Gen Shougo)
• Ruan Xiao Qi (also known in some versions as Gen Shoushichi)
• Chao Gai (unplayable final boss with two forms who fights unarmed, only playable in the Versus Mode of the console versions, also known in some versions as Chougai)
• Hu Yan Zhou (hidden unplayable sub-boss who fights on horseback, only available in the PS1 version, also known in-game as Koenshaku)
• Mizoguchi (guest character from the Fighter's History series who fights unarmed, only available in the Versus Mode of the PS1 version and the enhanced Saturn version, the former requiring cheat codes)
• Yungmie (guest character from the Fighter's History series who fights unarmed, also known as Yonmiy, only available in the enhanced Saturn version)