大番長 – Big Bang Age
11 years ago, a hole opened up in Shinjuku known as the 「魔界孔」, causing strange crystals to appear with it. At the same time this incident happened, people began to manifest various strange abilities due to the influence of these ‘B crystals’, giving rise to their ‘B power’. The rest of the world became fearful of what happened to Japan and left the entire country in isolation, with the nation suddenly embroiled in violence and chaos until four groups appeared and created a semblance of order by carving out and creating their own territories from Japan’s ruined civilization. Similarly, the group 『学生連合』 was created in order to manage the entire nation as well as the four groups and the independents inhabiting it, in an attempt to create a new civilization.
Now, Zanma Rouga, a man who is aiming for nationwide conquest, enters into his new school in the hopes of finding a way to help his fiancé return to her human form. A storm is brewing, and he is at the center of it all.
This is Daibanchou – Big Bang Age, an eroge released by AliceSoft around December of 2003. It’s a Conquest SLG, which means that your goal is to take over all the territories in the game. It has three parts, and you start in the School Chapter, eventually moving up to the District Chapter, and then the National Chapter, where the game’s real story actually starts. You play as Zanma Rouga, a man whose goal is to conquer the whole nation, and you start off in the school chapter searching for a way to help his fiancé, Tenrou Kunagi, maintain her human form without putting too much strain on her. After hearing of a button which grants power to its user in 聖城 Academy, Rouga heads off to that school as a transfer student, intent on claiming that button for Kunagi while amassing an army of his own.
No, she’s not a wolf, but she can assume the form of one!
This game has three chapters. You start off in the School Chapter, then later make your way to the District, and finally in the National Chapter, where Rouga’s goal of conquering the whole country actually begins. In the School Chapter, you start off with four characters, including Rouga. These people are Heita Jinna, a man who strives for honor above all; Naruse Yuki, a bishounen (or so you think) who’s pretty good with his BB gun; and Hibiki Sanae, the class iinchou who decided to become Rouga’s woman if he manages to retake the school from Yamizaki Akito. Later on, when you’ve conquered enough of the school, Zanma Gou (who is Rouga’s elder brother) and Kunagi will join up with you. You can also choose to recruit around eleven characters in the school chapter, depending on who you want to get, and which characters you want to join up with you later on.
In the District Chapter, Rouga’s managed to wrest control of the school from Yamizaki Akito; however, there are now two major obstacles to his goal of nationwide conquest. There is Kongoumaru Sanzou’s faction, and Idagawa Ren’s, along with the independent districts adjacent to the school. A new character will also join your ranks at the start of this chapter: Kyoudo Senna. Her attire identifies her as a student from the Kansai Academy, but she can’t remember anything else aside from her name and where she came from. Rouga adds Senna to their group despite Sanae’s objections that she might be working as an assassin, since his goal is to take over the whole nation – Senna might be helpful in conquering the area that Kansai is under, and they might find out more about her once they take over that region. In turn, Senna accepts Rouga’s choice to become his girl, adding her to the ranks of Rouga’s women which already includes Kunagi and Sanae.
Kyoudo Senna – before and after delivery!
The National Chapter is where the story finally starts to unfold, depending on whose route you’ve chosen (more on this later). With Kunagi, your main enemies are the Nightmare Eyes and the Holy Flame groups, and with Senna, you have the Academy and the Skull Serpents to contend with. This is also where the gameplay changes, and more characters become available, most of them from rival groups.
Daibanchou’s character lineup consists of completely awesome personalities, for lack of a better word. First you have Zanma Rouga, the game’s protagonist. He’s strong, honorable and goes by the nickname “White Fang”, a powerful fighter who’s well-known in the whole country. He’s also single-mindedly fixed on his goal, and will push himself beyond his limits in order to achieve it. He respects people who are just as honorable and dedicated to ideals as him, and is quite a charismatic leader, as his members, both male and female, soon figure out. He also tends to recruit women he finds worthy into his harem, which is not really a weakness of his, but it’s something the girls he asks usually end up accepting.
These two girls are the main heroines – they’re also “wearing” Rouga’s clothes!
There’s Tenrou Kunagi, one of the main heroines, Zanma Rouga’s childhood friend and fiancé. She’s been with Rouga for most of her life, and due to their relationship, the two of them understand each other on a level of complete trust and understanding – even when it comes to the ecchi stuff. She’s afflicted by her power, though, and it’s what’s stopping her from assuming her usual form, that of an 18 year old. Changing from a wolf to a human requires immense concentration on her part, and it usually results in pain when she starts to lose her hold. She’s calm, coolheaded and collected, usually unfazed by anything and everything that would usually surprise other people. She also fully believes in Rouga, and is usually found by his side even in the heat of battle, refusing to let him simply “take care of her” like a doll. She’s also quite strong, but she definitely excels in agility and speed, able to dodge any attack that comes her way.
Kyoudo Senna is the other main heroine of the game. She joins Rouga’s group right as he moves up from the school to the districts. She is brought to Rouga by someone who looks “quite familiar” to him, and at first she attacks him on sight. After Rouga calms her down, and Sanae fixes her up, Senna introduces herself to Rouga, Kunagi and Senna, donning what seems to be the clothes of a Kansai student. She uses a sword and is able to attack from mid range, though she is quite proficient with other weapons as well. She has a hobby of taking care of her weapons by regularly polishing, sharpening and cleaning them, her affections for her arsenal going as far as to naming them. She behaves like a cute manner, and is quite childlike in the way she thinks. She even pulled a knife on Rouga once, just because he’s interrupting her in the middle of her reading. Her ability is super regeneration – due to her metabolism, she is able to heal from her wounds and exhaustion much quicker and much more effective than anybody.
You’ve also got Zanma Gou, who is Rouga’s older brother. Rouga tends to call his brother “an idiot”, and often pokes fun at his brother’s weak physical abilities. As you’ll find out later, though, there’s more to him than you may think. Gou is also quite a strategist and tactician – he’s able to scout around and locate items and places that other people can’t. He and Kunagi also share a secret, something that he can’t afford to reveal to Rouga.
These four are just the main characters of the game – talking about the other characters would be too much, as there are over 80 characters recruitable in the game! Rest assured, though, that most of these characters are completely likable, due to their quirks and personalities to their virtues.
As for the gameplay, there are turns signifying the day’s activities. In the school chapter, you are confined to conversations and explorations in every player turn, but in the district and national chapters, the turns unfold as follows. First, you are given a choice to engage in H activities with a heroine of your choice. Initially you have Sanae, Kunagi and/or Senna available (depending on your route). Doing so will give Rouga a variety of bonuses: Kunagi and Senna helps restore Rouga’s HP to 50%, and Sanae gives 50BP. The other heroines and their H bonuses are: Shion, who increases everyone’s loyalty; Takabane Sae, who restores Rouga’s stamina, and Himenomiya Kaen, who gives 500BP. Each heroine has up to a total of three hearts, and choosing to do ecchi scenes with a heroine whose hearts are full would result in her H Level increasing by 1. The hearts can be increased by choosing to talk to her during the power-up phase, by going to a date, or by simply sexing the heroine up. Performing ecchi activities with a heroine works only up to Lv. 6., and from Lv. 6 onwards, the hearts will only increase by talking or by dating.
Nothing says “I love you” to Kunagi more than the act of fucking her brains out
Then if you have prisoners, you are taken to the prison, where you are given a choice of either convincing the prisoner to join you, interrogating them for information, or releasing them for BP.
Heroine selection screen and prison, respectively
Then you’re brought to the territory phase. When this begins, sometimes you’re presented some events that are occuring in your territory, possibly involving your characters or recruitable people. Rouga will always take first turn, no matter what happens, and the game gives you the option to check your various stations.
Before Rouga’s conquest, and then after!
In the station phase, you can check your various cities, as well as the enemies’. You can choose to restore peace in your cities should it be slipping, clean up your cities and possibly find some items or BP, construct buildings for various purposes, enter dungeons and engage in events. Some events should be of interest to the player, as they help out Rouga in various ways such as recruiting characters, adding more buildings for construction, restoring loyalty, gaining BP and so on.
An example of an engaging in an event – Rouga and Kunagi’s date in Hawaii! (Don’t ask me how Hawaii ended up in Japan)
After the events, the conversation and power up phase enters. This is where you can choose to talk with a character from your roster, and also witness an event between Rouga and that person, depending on their “stars”. See the five dots besides the character’s name? Those dots are a character’s “stars”, and fulfilling the condition for each would result in stat boosts for that character, along with an event. After talking to that character, you can then choose to develop skills for them or restore their stamina, as shown in the second picture.
After that, you can choose to station your troops in the next phase. Depending on where you place your characters, they will sometimes find items and places, and face off against the enemies already positioned in the area they’re in, or serve as defense against the enemies coming their way.
Then there’s the combat phase. This usually occurs when enemies try to invade your area, or when you’re tying to take over theirs. First you pick the characters to participate in the fight from the roster, then choose whether to use their attacks or their skills while fighting the enemy. Some characters have passive skills, some have active ones.
After your turn, your enemies’ turn comes next, in this order: First the PGG, then the Nightmare Eyes, third is the Academy, fourth would be the Skull Serpents/Holy Flame, and last would be the Independents. After all their moves, you are then brought to the level up screen, showing you which characters gained a level up and what stat boosts they obtained.
The gameplay is fun, entertaining and engaging, I’ll admit, though it also involves a lot of management on your part. Your people don’t come for free: while your main characters trust Rouga, the others are on a level of friendship, or simply camaraderie. In the national chapter, this affects the level of loyalty your characters have, as their loyalty gradually diminishes with time. They also need to be paid, something that Gou reminds Rouga about as soon as the district chapter begins. Most of the fun, though, comes from clearing character stars, which is why it’s a good thing to recruit as many people as possible. Not only does it increase your manpower, it also increases the number of events you can view and the chances that you can clear a character!
As for the routes, Kunagi and Senna makes it clear as soon as the district phase begins as to how to go down their routes. Taking out Idagawa Ren would put you in Tenrou Kunagi’s route, while defeating Kongoumaru Sanzou takes you to Kyoudo Senna’s route. The endings, however, are determined by the love points that a heroine has, regardless of a character’s route, so while you may be in Senna’s route, it’s still possible to get Sae’s, Kaen’s, Sanae’s or Shion’s endings. What makes the route split quite a painful thing for me is that choosing one girl’s route over the other will end up with the unlucky girl ending up dead! Definitive, but that’s why I can’t go down Senna’s route. I just can’t bear to see Kunagi die. ;__; Aside from these endings, there’s also four game over endings, so be careful what you do!
Of course, this game is not just about ecchi and conquest. With AliceSoft games comes AliceSoft’s distinct humor and comedy, and it’s definitely evident in Daibanchou. Even in certain H scenes, the humor is present! Personally, I was laughing my ass off at Miyazato Erika’s and Tanzawa Nina’s H scenes, along with Tsukuyomi Kinoko’s.
Hard it may be to believe, but I was laughing my ass off at these H scenes, thanks to AliceSoft’s brand of humor!
Daibanchou’s story is pretty interesting, particularly when you get to the ending, as that’s where a lot of the story details come together. Kunagi’s and Senna’s route come together to form one big picture about the history of Rouga and the world once you put the pieces together – sadly, I just can’t bring myself to go through Senna’s route. ;__; I’m afraid I’ll have to rely on Zakarum for this one.
The moments that make Kunagi’s and Senna’s routes worthwhile
The game’s music is also okay, as some tracks were absolutely awesome to listen to, while some were just dull and repetitive. I particularly liked the OP music and the Dash to Battle theme, as that theme plays a small piece from the OP.
If you’re looking for a fun, challenging game with lots of beautiful heroines and an interesting storyline, then I would wholeheartedly recommend Daibanchou for you, whether or not you’ve played an AliceSoft title before. The whole 640×480 resolution might take some getting used to, but hey, it’s not that bad, and so it the game!
Also, in case someone brings it up, yes. This is the game with which the doujin fighter Big Bang Beat ~1st Impression is based on.
Themocracy
Thanks for the informative post. Now I’m tempted to spoil myself about Kunagi and Rouga’s history and all that. ^_^;
And looking at the battle screens… does it seem that Rance, Daibanchou, Haruka (and probably Daiakuhji)/Alicesoft’s Conquest SLGs have similar interfaces? Not that I’m complaining. And yes, this is one game that has a doujin fighting game that’s definitely worth it.
Wait, in Daibanchou, is Hawaii attached to Japan the same way that Africa is attached to JAPAN in Sengoku Rance? ^_^;;;;;
Sounds neat :O
Also, Daibanchou reminds me of Haruka, of Minami-ke fame.
Kyoudo Senna, maerimasu! (sp, it’s been a while)
I was a Senna player in BBB 1st Impression, for several reasons:
She’s sexy.
Her pose/stance is sexy.
Her clothes are sexy, love the draping kimono thing.
But I also like Kunagi for reasons posted above (swap the kimono thing with the feathers in her hair <3).
Aaarg, indecision at its worse. I think I liked it better when there’s only one female I really really like in games, then I don’t have trouble choosing. ;_;
meganeshounen: You forgot Texas, Cairo, Morroco, and the Amazon! Also, Daibanchou has Transylvania attached to Japan. And yeah, they might have similar interfaces, but it makes for easier familiarity.
Zeroblade: It’s very neat. Daibanchou is very fun!
Rooked: Kunagi-sama banzai!
I haven’t played enough of BBB 1st Impression (I was kind of wondering where Kinako was, poor girl ;__;), but I love Kunagi for several reasons.
She’s sexy.
Her pose/stance is sexy.
Her clothes are sexy, I love the whole feathers in her hair and how her whole get-up just goes with her.
And I also like Kunagi’s completely awesome attitude and behavior. I was laughing my ass off when a) she tried to make herself sound cute after Rouga took Akito’s button and managed to revert herself to her human form, and b) when she cosplayed as a nekomimi maid during the festival.
Yes. I like Senna too. But I just cannot entertain the idea of Kunagi-sama dying just to go through Senna’s route. That’s like letting Narukana-sama end up all alone in Seinarukana! ;__;
Senna= <3 forever!
Kaen= tsundere ojousama <3 but take off the gloves, those give creepy Disney vibes.
Sae= THE most adorable thing ever. Her rape scene pissed me off to NO END, I HATE YOU ALICESOFT YOU NEED TO BE CASTRATED FOR THIS AND THROWN IN A CHEMICAL FIRE. SAE DID NOT DESERVE THAT AT ALL GOD DAMN YOU. That is all.
Shion= Really cute, but not in a sexual way at all.
Daibanchou was a really great eroge for two reasons: the gameplay was OMGWTFBBQ good and a nice challenge (I didn’t cheat my stats up to 999 *COUGH COUGH*), and most of the female characters are quite, full of character? Ignoring the few rape and tentacle scenes, the H was not really over the top.
Alicesoft gives off strange WW2-esque vibes.
KUNAGI-SAMA BANZAI! I agree about Sae being adorable, and yes, SHE DID NOT DESERVE THAT RAPE SCENE, THE POOR THING. ;__; Luckily I didn’t send her back, so no mental scars for me, whoohoo! As you said, though, Sae is just a warm up for the real thing – Haruka, of Beat Blades Haruka. Kaen, yes, she’s adorable. She has to be, since she’s also voiced by the same person who did Saika Farneze (of Pastel Chime Continue) and Minazuki (of Beat Blades Haruka)!
And am I the only one who finds it funny that fucking the brains out of a loli homunculus raises the loyalty of ALL your troops?
I didn’t cheat, I simply *cough* gave all of my enemies an insurmountable handicap such that it would take several miracles short of the parting of the Red Sea for them to save their asses. >__>; And yes, almost all of the characters in Daibanchou have enough personality to distinguish themselves apart, which is awesome for a game with so many people!
Wow, a very nicely written review/overview of Big Bang Age!
BTW, I’m quite the opposite from you. While I like Kunagi and her bond with Rouga, I can’t bear to watch Senna die, so most of the time I go with Senna’s route (only doing Kunagi as much as necessary to clear all characters for 5 stars).
I think the problem is Kunagi’s character design. She is just way too similar to Satsu (Daiakuji) and Madoka (Beat Angel Escalayer) that it doesn’t feel much to be a unique character. Besides the start and end of the game, very few events go much indepth into her actual character, so most of the time when it’s just the general personality and physical appearances it feels like she’s just a replicated character in an almost “Studio E.go!” kind of way. )-:
True, Kunagi’s design is indeed very reminiscent of Madoka of Escalayer (I haven’t played Daiakuji so I don’t know who Satsu is), but her personality and behavior is enough for me to like her. Very few characters are similar to Kunagi today, and there’s just something about the way Rouga and Kunagi get along so well that makes me like her so much – none of the awkwardness present in most of today’s anime/manga couples!
good review, how did you get everyones stats to 999?
On other note since I don’t read japanese very well do you know the side stories for the other main fractions such as Holy Flame, Scale Serpent, P.G.G and Nightmare eyes?
Hey hey, Guys, I’m so curious about Kunagi’s “Devil” form in CG. What’s going on?
Maybe email me? Anyways, what’s it about Senna clones in CG as well?
Arc: I used an SSG to get their stats that high. SSG’s a bunch of scripts that hack into a game’s memory address, allowing you to change their values. As for the factions’ stories, I know most of them except Skull Serpent, since I have yet to play Senna’s route.
Sparrow: Kunagi’s “Devil” form, as well as the many Senna clones, are only seen once you charge into the Demon Hole with either Kunagi or Senna. It’s their “nightmare”, if you will…rather, it’s Rouga’s nightmare/s.
Oh? So it turned out as the demon hole gives you nightmare? Like you could say trapped in dream forever? Is it their… Ending path? No? And… Do you have email address? I want to talk with you. I have a few question for you playing BBA. Of course, I don’t know how to play it very well. Please talk with me in email address.
If you have any questions about Daibanchou, I recommend that you check out the AliceSoft Wiki first. If you still have any questions, you can reach my email via my contact page.
This game seems great, but my zero Japanese knowledge limits me from playing it, but I have a few questions about the story which seems interesting.
1) What is this secret that Kunagi and Rouga’s brother keep between each other?
2) What is the history between Senna, Rouga and Kunagi?
@M.Rage: Here’s my attempt at explaining, (Disclaimer: Below is a summary of someone who may not remember all the details)
[spoiler]
1)The secret that Kunagi and Rouga’s brother keep between each other is Rouga’s memory of the past, which Kunagi has sealed. Mainly the events that led to Kunagi becoming half demon. Kunagi was sick? (need confirmation) and Kamui, her brother, went to gather power to save her. In the process, Kamui opened the seal of 魔界孔, leading to a release of demons and B-powers across “Japan”. Kamui, being the one who opened the seal, got possessed by the evil spirit, leading to two Kamui’s (one good, other evil). When he returned to the surface, Zanma Gou acknowledged those facts, and killed Kamui. Unfortunately, Kunagi and Rouga arrived at the site afterwards. Some of this energy got absorbed by Kunagi, and she became half demon.
2)The history between Senna, Rouga and Kunagi, is that they are all descents of the ancestors who fought against the same demons in Japan 1000 years ago. Tenrou clan (Kunagi’s bloodline) was supposed to leader against the demons, they were lsoing the battle until 1 single man came to turn the tides on the demons (Rouga’s ancestor). Senna’s ancestor was the one who sacrificed herself to put the seal on the cave.[/spoiler]
Also, this is all from Kunagi’s route, I’ve yet to go through Senna’s.
T.T, sorry spoilers don’t work, and can’t edit.
Don’t sweat it buddy, thanks for helping out! I really appreciate it. :D
@Hemisphere: I have to thank you for bringing such an awesome game to my attention! So I’m just spreading the love :D.
Oh I see, thanks Tomatoe!
1) So is that why Kunagi is stuck in that wolf appearance most of the time?
And also
2) It’s their “nightmare”, if you will…rather, it’s Rouga’s nightmare’s. <– Is this literal? Or are they somehow connected in a way that makes this a suggestion to something? I don’t get how the clone things work out with Senna.
Haha sorry for all the questions but I’m really interested in the story but I have 0 Japanese knowledge.
1) Yeah, that’s why Kunagi is stuck in her wolf form at the start of the game.
2) It’s literal. After they go into the Demon Hole, Kamui shows Rouga and his heroine (depending on the heroine with the most love points) nightmare in order to try to demoralize/kill them. If you have Senna, you get the clone Senna nightmare. If you go with Kunagi, you have the Demon Kunagi nightmare.
Ohh I see. Thanks for the clarifications !
[...] not one of those ADVs or visual novels with a sidegame tacked onto it. No, sirree. Just check out Daibanchou -Big Bang Beat- and Beat Blades Haruka if you want to find out how AliceSoft does things, which is what sets them [...]
I can’t seems to find the SSG for this game now…anybody who still have it can send it to me via email?
Could you send me the copy of BIG Bang Age SSG and in which program do you use it SpoilerAL or another one,
Am so gratefil that a certain individual sent the SSG for me!
Sry to bother you guys~but after using the SSG i found that i can do nothing except for making my BP maxed out.I can’t seems to be able to max out the stats of my characters as SSG told me some error~
Correction..i dun have a clue on how it works now…sometimes after maxing out my BP it became zero during play and i can’t do anything…pls help me out…my worse exp with SSG…
Hey hey it’s me again! Hello guys haven’t seen ya for long time
I updated a lot of information on Big Bang Age and Big Bang Beat.
http://www.freewebs.com/jai05
Say, Hemisphere and other BBA fans, I’d like to collect any info if you have any information on these characters to update at my website.
[...] in victory. Honestly, I’m not sure if I would do a ramble review about this since Hemisphere already did, unless you guys want to see me go off in another fanboying [...]
[...] in victory. Honestly, I’m not sure if I would do a ramble review about this since Hemisphere already did, unless you guys want to see me go off in another fanboying [...]
I know this is an old post, but this are the only leads I have for the ssg of this game, does anyone know where I can find it, or can they send it to me? I already know how to use it, so I just need the file. Thanks in advance.