Gintama Rumble is a fast-paced, action-packed game that brings the beloved characters of Gintama to life in a Musou-style (warrior brawler) gameplay. For fans of the series, the opportunity to play as iconic characters such as Gintoki, Kagura, and Hijikata is one of the main draws of the game. However, beyond mere fan service, each character is thoughtfully designed with unique abilities, movesets, and personality traits that reflect their in-universe characteristics. This review will take a deep dive into the characters of Gintama Rumble, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact on the gameplay experience.
Table of Contents
1. Gintoki Sakata: The Silver Soul Samurai
As the protagonist of Gintama, Gintoki is the centerpiece of Gintama Rumble. His moveset reflects his erratic and unpredictable personality, combining powerful sword strikes with comedic elements that are reminiscent of his character in the anime.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Gintoki’s standard attacks involve swift sword slashes that can take down large groups of enemies. His combat style is fast-paced, allowing players to chain combos with ease, which is crucial for maintaining high combo counts and ranking.
- Special Attacks: Gintoki’s special moves include his iconic “Lake Toya” wooden sword attacks, combined with comedic elements such as pulling out odd objects or using over-the-top finishing moves. His awakened attack, which puts him into a “serious mode,” is both powerful and a humorous nod to his rare moments of seriousness in the anime.
- Awakened Mode: In awakened mode, Gintoki’s speed and damage output increase significantly. His special move becomes a powerful beam attack that can wipe out enemies in a large radius. His ability to switch between comedic and serious fighting styles makes him versatile for both crowd control and boss fights.
Strengths:
- Crowd Control: Gintoki excels at taking down large groups of enemies, making him ideal for missions where you are required to defeat hundreds of foes.
- Balanced Playstyle: His mix of speed and strength, along with a variety of combo chains, makes him a well-rounded character suitable for both beginners and experienced players.
Weaknesses:
- Predictability in Boss Fights: While Gintoki is great for standard enemies, his attacks can feel predictable in boss fights. His lack of long-range attacks also puts him at a disadvantage against bosses with heavy mobility or ranged moves.
2. Kagura: The Yato Clan’s Powerhouse
Kagura, a member of the powerful Yato Clan, brings a unique mix of brute strength and childlike charm to the battlefield. Her combat style is all about raw power, and her moves reflect her alien heritage and natural fighting abilities.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Kagura’s normal attacks are slower compared to characters like Gintoki, but they make up for it in sheer power. Her punches and kicks deal massive damage and can knock back multiple enemies at once.
- Special Attacks: One of Kagura’s signature moves is using her umbrella as a weapon. Her umbrella shoots projectiles, providing her with a much-needed ranged attack option. Her heavy attacks use her Yato bloodline powers, allowing her to unleash devastating punches and ground pounds that clear out enemies in a large radius.
- Awakened Mode: When Kagura enters Awakened Mode, her Yato powers fully activate, boosting her strength and speed. In this mode, she can decimate bosses with a few powerful hits, and her area-of-effect (AoE) attacks become even more lethal.
Strengths:
- High Damage Output: Kagura excels in dealing heavy damage, making her one of the best characters for taking down stronger enemies and bosses.
- Durability: Her high health pool and ability to endure more hits make her a resilient character, perfect for players who prefer a tanky playstyle.
Weaknesses:
- Slower Movement: Kagura’s slower movement speed can make her less effective when trying to evade attacks or chain combos quickly. This makes her more vulnerable in missions where speed is essential.
3. Shinsuke Takasugi: The Dark Avenger
As one of the primary antagonists in the Gintama series, Takasugi brings a darker, more aggressive playstyle to Gintama Rumble. His combat style is swift and ruthless, reflecting his vengeful nature.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Takasugi’s attacks focus on his use of a katana, allowing him to strike quickly and efficiently. His moves are designed to cut through enemies with precision, often leading to high-damage combos.
- Special Attacks: Takasugi’s special moves are more aggressive, focusing on fast, sweeping sword strikes that can hit multiple enemies at once. He also has a variety of counterattacks that deal additional damage when timed correctly.
- Awakened Mode: In Awakened Mode, Takasugi becomes even more aggressive, with his speed and attack power reaching new heights. His special move in this mode unleashes a barrage of sword slashes that can eliminate enemies in a wide area, making him a dangerous opponent on the battlefield.
Strengths:
- Speed and Precision: Takasugi’s combat style is incredibly fast, allowing players to strike quickly and dodge incoming attacks. His ability to chain combos together with precision makes him a formidable character in any mission.
- High Damage: His fast strikes deal significant damage, especially when combined with his counterattacks, making him a powerful asset in both crowd control and boss fights.
Weaknesses:
- Low Durability: Takasugi’s health pool is lower than other characters, meaning players need to be more strategic in avoiding damage. His reliance on speed can also be a disadvantage if overwhelmed by large groups of enemies.
4. Toshiro Hijikata: The Demon Vice-Chief
Hijikata, the strict and stoic vice-chief of the Shinsengumi, brings a disciplined and calculated fighting style to Gintama Rumble. Known for his strong leadership and swordsmanship, Hijikata is a force to be reckoned with.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Hijikata’s moveset revolves around his katana and his ability to strike with precision. His attacks are methodical, designed to take down enemies efficiently without wasting movement.
- Special Attacks: His special attacks include a series of fast katana slashes and defensive maneuvers. One of his key abilities is his “Mayonnaise Burst,” a hilarious nod to his obsession with mayonnaise, where he pulls out a giant mayo bottle to deal AoE damage to enemies.
- Awakened Mode: In Awakened Mode, Hijikata’s sword attacks become even more powerful, allowing him to cut through waves of enemies with ease. His special attack in this mode unleashes a flurry of sword strikes that can deal massive damage to both regular enemies and bosses.
Strengths:
- Balanced Combat: Hijikata strikes a balance between speed and power, making him versatile in both large-scale battles and one-on-one encounters with bosses.
- Defensive Playstyle: His defensive maneuvers and counterattacks make him a solid choice for players who prefer a more calculated and defensive playstyle.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Ranged Attacks: Hijikata lacks ranged attacks, which can make him less effective in missions where enemies attack from a distance. He relies heavily on getting up close to deal damage.
5. Sougo Okita: The Shinsengumi’s Sadistic Genius
Sougo Okita, the sadistic genius of the Shinsengumi, brings a unique combination of agility and firepower to the game. Known for his ruthless efficiency and love of explosives, Okita’s playstyle is fast and explosive.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Okita’s normal attacks are quick, using his sword to slice through enemies with precision. However, what sets him apart is his use of grenades and other explosives, which he can throw into groups of enemies to deal AoE damage.
- Special Attacks: His special attacks are explosive (literally), as he uses a variety of grenades and rockets to take out large groups of enemies. Okita’s sadistic personality shines through in these moves, as he takes pleasure in causing chaos on the battlefield.
- Awakened Mode: In Awakened Mode, Okita’s speed and damage output increase, allowing him to unleash even more powerful explosions. His special move in this mode is a devastating rocket barrage that can wipe out enemies in a large area.
Strengths:
- Explosive AoE Damage: Okita excels in dealing large amounts of damage to multiple enemies at once, making him ideal for crowd control.
- Agility: His fast movement speed and quick attacks make him difficult for enemies to hit, allowing players to dodge and weave through enemy attacks.
Weaknesses:
- Fragile: Okita’s health pool is lower than other characters, making him more vulnerable in prolonged fights. Players need to be strategic in how they approach combat with him.
6. Kamui: The Yato Clan’s Berserker
Kamui, Kagura’s older brother, is another powerhouse from the Yato Clan. His fighting style is all about overwhelming force, and his abilities reflect his berserker nature.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Kamui’s regular attacks are extremely powerful, utilizing his immense strength to deal heavy damage with every strike. His moveset primarily consists of aggressive hand-to-hand combat, with wide swings and hard-hitting punches that can easily clear out groups of enemies.
- Special Attacks: Kamui’s special abilities harness his Yato bloodline’s raw power, allowing him to perform devastating combos and AoE attacks. One of his signature moves involves unleashing a series of rapid punches, pummeling enemies into the ground with relentless force. Another special attack is a massive ground slam that sends shockwaves across the battlefield, damaging all nearby foes.
- Awakened Mode: In Awakened Mode, Kamui’s attacks become even more brutal and destructive. His attack speed increases dramatically, and his damage output soars, allowing him to obliterate enemies and bosses alike in a matter of seconds. His awakened special attack unleashes a berserker-like frenzy of strikes, making him a one-man wrecking crew.
Strengths:
- High Damage Output: Kamui is one of the strongest characters in terms of raw physical damage. His attacks hit hard and can quickly whittle down enemy health bars, including those of bosses.
- AoE Destruction: Many of Kamui’s attacks have wide areas of effect, making him particularly effective when surrounded by large groups of enemies. His crowd-control capabilities are top-tier, and he can clear entire areas with just a few moves.
Weaknesses:
- Reckless Playstyle: Kamui’s aggressive fighting style often leaves him vulnerable to counterattacks. Players need to balance his high damage output with careful timing and positioning to avoid taking too much damage.
- Lack of Ranged Attacks: Like many other powerhouse characters, Kamui lacks effective ranged attacks, which can leave him at a disadvantage when dealing with enemies that attack from a distance.
7. Tsukuyo: The Courtesan of Death
Tsukuyo, the deadly kunoichi of Yoshiwara, brings precision, speed, and stealth to the battlefield. Her agility and deadly ranged attacks make her a highly mobile and versatile character, perfect for players who enjoy a more strategic playstyle.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Tsukuyo’s normal attacks revolve around her use of kunai and quick slashes with her blades. She is one of the fastest characters in the game, allowing her to dart between enemies and strike them down before they can react.
- Special Attacks: Tsukuyo’s special moves include a barrage of kunai throws that can take out enemies from a distance. She also has several acrobatic maneuvers that allow her to leap into the air and rain down attacks on her enemies. Her fighting style emphasizes hit-and-run tactics, using her agility to avoid damage while dealing out precise strikes.
- Awakened Mode: In Awakened Mode, Tsukuyo’s speed is further amplified, allowing her to move with lightning-fast precision. Her special awakened attack involves a deadly flurry of kunai, slicing through enemies in a wide radius.
Strengths:
- High Mobility: Tsukuyo’s speed and agility make her difficult for enemies to hit. She can quickly maneuver around the battlefield, making her ideal for players who prefer a fast and evasive playstyle.
- Ranged Attacks: Unlike many other characters, Tsukuyo excels at both close-range combat and ranged attacks. Her ability to throw kunai at enemies allows her to deal damage from a safe distance, making her highly versatile.
Weaknesses:
- Lower Health: Tsukuyo’s lower health pool means that she can’t take as many hits as some of the other characters. Players will need to rely on her speed and evasiveness to avoid damage, as she is more fragile than characters like Kagura or Kamui.
- Less Effective in Boss Fights: While Tsukuyo excels in taking out large groups of enemies, she can struggle in boss fights where raw damage output is more important than agility.
8. Katsura Kotarou: The Rebel Leader
Katsura, the leader of the Joui rebels, is a cunning and strategic fighter. His combat style focuses on both swordsmanship and explosive devices, reflecting his background as a guerrilla leader. His unpredictable nature is also present in his moveset, making him a unique character to play.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Katsura’s standard attacks are sword-based, allowing him to perform quick and precise slashes. His fighting style is more tactical than brute force, and his ability to chain sword strikes together makes him effective at crowd control.
- Special Attacks: Katsura’s special attacks often incorporate explosives. He can throw bombs at groups of enemies, causing massive AoE damage. One of his signature moves involves setting up an explosive trap that detonates after a delay, allowing players to control the battlefield strategically.
- Awakened Mode: In Awakened Mode, Katsura’s sword attacks become faster and more powerful. His special awakened attack unleashes a devastating explosion that can clear out a large number of enemies at once, making him a force to be reckoned with.
Strengths:
- Strategic Playstyle: Katsura’s ability to lay traps and use explosives allows for a more tactical approach to combat. Players can set up combos and traps to deal damage in a controlled and planned way.
- Ranged and AoE Damage: Katsura’s bombs and explosives give him an edge in dealing with large groups of enemies, and his ranged abilities allow him to attack from a distance, keeping him safe from harm.
Weaknesses:
- Weaker in Direct Combat: Katsura is less effective in direct, one-on-one combat compared to more brute-force characters like Kamui or Gintoki. His reliance on explosives means that players need to think strategically, as his sword strikes alone aren’t enough to carry him through tougher fights.
- Fragility: Like Tsukuyo, Katsura is more fragile than some of the tankier characters. He needs to rely on his tactical abilities and mobility to stay alive, as taking direct hits can deplete his health quickly.
9. Isao Kondo: The Gorilla Commander
Isao Kondo, the boisterous and loyal leader of the Shinsengumi, is a character whose fighting style revolves around brute strength and overwhelming force. While often depicted as comedic relief in the series, Kondo’s abilities in Gintama Rumble reflect his true prowess as a fighter.
Moveset and Abilities:
- Normal Attacks: Kondo’s attacks are heavy and slow, but they deal immense damage. His fighting style is focused on overpowering enemies with sheer force, using his strength to smash through hordes of foes.
- Special Attacks: Kondo’s special moves are just as powerful as his normal attacks, focusing on heavy slams and ground-pounding attacks that send enemies flying. One of his signature moves involves charging into enemies like a gorilla, a humorous nod to his nickname in the series.
- Awakened Mode: In Awakened Mode, Kondo becomes even more powerful, with his attacks dealing massive AoE damage. His special awakened attack involves an unstoppable rampage, where he bulldozes through enemies, leaving destruction in his wake.
Strengths:
- High Damage Output: Kondo’s attacks deal some of the highest damage in the game, making him ideal for players who prefer a tank-like character that can take out enemies with a few heavy hits.
- Durability: Kondo has a high health pool, allowing him to take more hits than other characters. He is perfect for missions where you need to survive large waves of enemies.
Weaknesses:
- Slow Movement: Kondo’s slow attack speed and movement can make him vulnerable to faster enemies. His sluggishness can also make it difficult to chain combos or dodge incoming attacks.
- Limited Range: Kondo’s attacks are almost exclusively close-range, making him less effective against enemies that can attack from a distance.
Conclusion
The diverse cast of characters in Gintama Rumble is one of the game’s strongest features, bringing the humor, action, and personality of the anime to life in a dynamic and exciting way. Each character is thoughtfully crafted, with unique movesets that reflect their personalities and combat styles from the series. Whether you prefer the raw strength of characters like Kamui and Kagura, the speed and agility of Tsukuyo, or the strategic playstyle of Katsura, Gintama Rumble offers a character for every type of player.
For fans of the Gintama anime, the character designs, voice acting, and signature moves are all faithful to the source material, making the game a love letter to the series. Even players unfamiliar with Gintama will appreciate the variety and depth of the characters, each offering a distinct playstyle that keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.
In summary, the characters of Gintama Rumble are not only a joy to play but also add depth and strategy to the game, ensuring that each battle feels unique and exciting. Whether you’re slashing through enemies as Gintoki, laying traps as Katsura, or unleashing a barrage of explosives as Okita, Gintama Rumble offers an exhilarating experience for players of all skill levels.