Bulk Slash FAQ by SuperDeadite Version: 1.0 This guide will only be posted at GameFAQs. If you have a website you would like to post it on, email me first and it can not be edited or split without my permission. It is 100% free and if you paid for this, then you have been cheated. Disclaimer: Bulk Slash is copyright Hudson Soft, 1997. This guide is a fan work, and is not endorsed, nor authorized by Hudson Soft nor Sega. All characters are copyrighted by their own specific owners and companies and I take no responsibility for anything that may result in using this guide. Introduction: Bulk Slash is one of the many great Sega Saturn games that never made it out of Japan. It is a a fast moving, free roaming 3D transformable robot action game. Hudson Soft became quite famous for their great PC-Engine shooters featuring very fun anime-style characters and themes. Bulk Slash seems to be Hudson Soft's attempt to take this style of game and make it fully 3D. I'd say they succeded quite well, as Bulk Slash is a blast to play. Story: Its just the typical story of two childhood friends who grew up into soldiers for opposite armies in a war. You naturally control the male soldier Chres Dori as he fights to save the galaxy from the evil empire. Hey its a shooter, and shooters don't need stories so who cares anyway right? Character Designer: Natsume Kunihiko Characters: Chres Dori VA: Takahito Koyasu This is you. For most of the game Chres is silent, but he does have some spoken lines towards the end. Riisen Lavia VA: Yuri Amano Chres' childhood friend. Long ago he promised to come to her resuce if she was ever in trouble, current wherabouts unknown. Navigators: Reone Rhodes VA: Miki Nagasawa Age: 16 Job: S.D.F.A. Lira Hart VA: Kyoko Hikami Age: 18 Job: Pop Idol Meticul Flair VA: Michiko Neya Age: 16 Job: Princess Naira Savage VA: Ai Orikasa Age: 22 Job: S.D.F. Officer Lupia Rude VA: Naoko Matsui Age: 20 Job: Thief Colon Steiner VA: Yuko Mizutani Age: S.D.F. Sergeant Kina Dibiase VA: Satomi Koorogi Age: 12 Job: ???? Controls: Your robot has both a robot and a fighter mode, you can transform at will and controls vary depending on which form your in. Robot Mode: Directional Pad: Forward and back move you forward and back. Left and right lets you strafe left and right without turning. A: Transform into Fighter mode. B: Shoot C: Jump X,Y, or Z: Zooms out minimap. L: Turn left R: Turn Right Fighter Mode: Directional Pad: Since you're flying, the down direction is "pull up" and the forward direction is "dive." Left and right still move you left and right without actually turning like in Robot mode. A: Transform in Robot mode. B: Shoot C: Change Speed. Note if you tap C, your throttle will cycle between 25%, 50%, 75%, and 99% speed. If you hold C, your speed will increase 1% at a time, giving you custom throttle control when the 1/4 presets are either too fast or too slow for your needs. X,Y, or Z: Zooms out minimap. Also auto steers you toward the boss (only during bossfights, and only if you have a navigator with you.) L: Turn left R: Turn Right Start: Pause Starting Up: Start the game and the title screen will appear. If you let it sit without pressing any buttons for a few seconds the animated intro will play. All menues in Bulk Slash are in English and shouldn't need any explanations except the VISUAL BONUS option. This lets you view the bonus images once you've unlocked them in the game so picking it now will not actually do anything. Also the VOICE TEST is updated everytime you finish the game with a Navigator (adding their voices), so at first there is only about 15 voice samples available, but once you've fully completed the game, there will be almost 600. Saving: Bulk Slash automatically saves what you have done everytime you beat the game. If you play all the way to the final boss and die and choose not to continue, your score will be saved but any experience your Navigator has earned will be lost. Also only the Navigator you finished the game with will get to keep her levels. Note, you can NOT save between stages, and must start fresh every time. (If you do continue, you can keep your Navigator's levels, the only penalty for continuing,is that your score will be reset to zero.) Manageable Intelligent Support System￾A(M.I.S.S.): Unlike most shooters, Chres doesn't have to take up the fight alone. On each of the 7 stages, there is a Navigator to be found. If you have one join you, she will make big orange guide arrows appear to point you toward your targets (otherwise you need to use the minimap) She will also appear and inform you of just about anything that occurs, and will get upset when you get hit. Also when fighting a boss and in Fighter mode, hitting X, Y, or Z will auto-turn you so the boss is in your sight. Finally, each of the 7 Navigators have there own secret bonus abilities that stregthen your own. I'll let you figure out these yourself since experimenting with the Navigators is what makes this game fun. :D Note, each Navigator starts at Level 1 and maxes out her personal abilities at level 3. When you beat the game, your Navigator will get to keep her levels, and you can choose to start with her right from the start (she will no longer be in the stage you first found her in). Weapons: Main:You have several different attacks available to you. You have a weapon meter, when in Robot mode and fully charaged, you'll toss a powerful grenade that can kill several targets. If not charged, you will fire a simple forward shot. At close range, you'll swing your beam sword. When in Fighter mode and charged, you can fire powerful homing missiles. Otherwise you fire a double foreward shot (like the robot's but more powerful). Optional: There are three optional weapons, that can only be used in Robot mode. They have limited ammo and have their own ammo meter above your normal weapon charge meter. Simply hold down the shot button "B" and you will fire them instead of your normal non-charged shot. Note there is only one optional weapon pickup. It will cycle between the three possible optional weapons (just look at the letter to tell what it is) Fire Blaster: Fires a continous flame-thrower, VERY POWERFUL but goes quick, makes quick work of ground-based bosses. My optional weapon of choice. Bezier Blaster: Fires a chain laser beam that "catches" on everything it hits and keeps hitting everything for as long as you hold the fire button and have ammo. It auto-homes, but is very weak. Almost identical to the purple shot from Raiden II in function. Napalm Blaster: Shoots out three circles of naplam in a spread-fire pattern. Decently powerful, but the range is so short that you're much better off with the far stronger Fire Blaster unless you suck at aiming. Heads Up Display: Once in game you'll see several meters and gauges. The one that looks like the Superman symbol is your shields, if it empties its Game Over. You can pickup items to refil it. Above it you'll see a small rectangular box, it is your weapon charge meter. If you have an optional weapon, its ammo meter will appear above it. The percentage on the right is your speed (only maters in Fighter mode). The minimap is in the upper right, and the big number at the bottom is naturally your score. Lastly the mission timer is in the bottom right. You have exactly 10 minuets to complete your goals on each stage or its Game Over. Note the timer will freeze when the boss comes out. Tips: Learn how to properly manuver. When in Fighter mode you have both strafe turning and normal turning. By combining the two and changing your speed, you can turn at all kinds of different angles. This will help a lot when playing on Hard mode and and especially against certain bosses. Also always keep an eye on your minimap. All enemy bullets that are headed toward you will be white dots, by watching your minimap, you would be amazed just how much you can dodge. Finally experiment with the navigators, some are better for certain situations then others. New Game: When you choose START from the main menu, you will first be taken to the Navigator select screen. From here, you can choose to begin the game with any of the Navigators you've previously completed the game with and they will start at the level they finished with. If you haven't beaten the game yet, you won't get this screen at all. Stage Select: There are seven stages in Bulk Slash, they get progressively more difficult if you play them in order. However you can do Stages 1-3 then 4-6 in any order you choose (Stage 7 must be done last). This is mainly due to the Navigator love-point system (see Endings section). Mission Briefing: After selecting your stage, you'll be given a briefing on your goals. These are in Japanese so just skip through them (unless you can read Japanese, but in that case you shouldn't need this guide :P). Note, you must pick up the Navigator on a level before you complete the goals, once the boss comes out, she is no longer attainable. Stage 1: Goal: Destroy Targets. Navigator: Reone. Being the first stage its quite simple. You'll find Reone (the first Navigator) right in front of you at the start. Simply walk into the pink helmut that says M.I.S.S. on top of it in order to pick her up. Then just fly/run around and get used to shooting and hitting multiple targets. Reone will guide you to your goals, once you've destroyed them all the boss will come out. Simply lock on and shoot, it doesn't get any simpler. Stage 2: Goal: Destroy Targets. Navigator: Lira This plays a lot like Stage 1, just at night and a lot more enemies. Look out for the anti-aircraft turrets while in Fighter mode. Also the targets here are shielded. Simply destroy the little shield generators that circle the targets (one grenade should do it) and then you can blow up the targets. You'll find Lira behind the concert stadium that the last target is in the middle of. The boss flies and might seem a bit tricky to follow, but adjust your speed and hit the auto-target button (assuming your playing with a Navigator) and it should be an easy win. Stage 3: Goal: Escort the Ship to safety. Navigator: Meticul This is an escort mission. From the start you'll see a big ship in front of you with a pink indicator above it. Your goal is to keep it alive as it flies around the map until it reaches its exit point. The best strategy is to go ahead of it and blow up the anti-aircraft guns that totally liter this level. However don't neglect it too much though because enemy fighters will randomly spawn. Just keep an eye on its health meter at the top of the screen. You will have to abandon it at some point though to pick up Meticul, she is right behind the castle (inside the wall). Oh and for the record Meticul and Colon are my favorites. :D After the ship flees to safety the boss will attack. It has a nasty 360 degree attack that can really hurt, but otherwise treat it like you did with Stage 2's boss and its easy. Stage 4: Goal: Deliver Bombs to Target Points. Navigator: Naira The idea here is to pick up 1 of the 4 bombs at the start then drop it off at its target point. Simply enter Fighter mode and fly into one to pick it up. When carrying a bomb its health will appear. There are mine fields everywhere, and one direct hit is enough to blow up your bomb. (If it does, a new one will replace it at the start). Its a good idea to leave the bombs where they are and go take out some of the satelites and turrets that will be firing at you. The mines will respawn though so don't worry about them. Also you are in space in this mission, so you can transform into Robot mode at anytime, but you won't be able to move unless your on a piece of ground or on top of one of the giant ships. From the start point, the far right corner has a small capital ship in it. On this ship you will find your new Navigator. The boss is a giant capital ship that looks kind of like a Star Destroyer. You have to blow it up piece by piece. Look out for the golden TIE Inercepters it launches after you :P Stage 5: Goal: Aquire the 5 ID Cards and reach the bottom room. Navigator: Lupia This mission is completely indoors, so Robot mode is prefered here (just how Fighter mode was better in Stage 4). The stage is multiple levels and elevators connect them. Simply grab the ID card on each floor then head for the elevator to get the next one. Lupia can be found close to the start of Floor 4. There are some platforms you can jump on, Lupia is on the highest one almost right above the elevator you just got off of (its eaiser just to fly up there as opposed to jumping). This level has a 2-stage boss. I recommend Fighter mode for both, as some well timed homing missiles will quickly destroy both of them. The spider form does have some nifty laser beam attacks if you let it live long enough. Stage 6: Goal: Destroy Targets. Navigator: Colon This mission plays like Stage 1 and 2 where its a large outdoor enviroment with targets to destroy. However the targets here are actually minibosses. They are easy to dispatch, just look out for their beam cannons that can really mess you up on Hard. Also this stage has a ton of bright orange kamikaze flyers that will annoy the hell out of you. Colon can be found under the GIANT tree, which one of the targets is by. If you can't find it, just follow the river as it completely encircles the tree at one end. The boss here is your clone, he can transform between Robot and Fighter mode you like you and has similer moves (although he is actually polygons unlike you :P). Just dodge the missiles and don't get rammed and you'll win with ease. Stage 7: Goal: Reach the bottom room. Navigator: Kina This is the final mission, it is indoors, but there are many paths you can take through it. Some are above and will need to flied to. Look out for the giant rolling cyclinders, as you can not destroy them, only dodge. From the start point turn around and there is a closed door. If and only if you have completed the game with all 6 of the other navigators, then this door will be open, and Kina is waiting inside. If you haven't its locked and you have more work to do :P. Kina being the "secret" Navigator is unquestionably the best. She will make your shot meter charge REALLY fast, and also if you pick up an optional weapon with her, the ammo is now unlimited. Being the final battle, you have to fight 3 bosses, on your way to the real one. Boss 1: Really easy, just jump at him and shoot, if you have the Fire Blaster armed, you shouldn't even take damage. Boss 2: This one can get tricky. He likes to retreat and then charge at you. The key to beating him quickly is to launch a grenade when he is in the middle of the explosive barrels. Also when he rushes you, JUMP! If you try to transform it will take too long and you'll get nailed. Finally, never use Fighter mode on him, because he can fly too, and there are no explosive barrels at the top to help you. Boss 3: Another easy win, just jump and shoot him. Time your jumps so that you are not on the ground when he does his "ground pound shockwave" move and its a pathetic fight. After dispatching him, I would HIGHLY recommend picking up the Fire Blaster out of one of the many boxes in the room before going on to the final room. Final Shodown: When entering the room, you will meet your final opponent. Surprise, its your childhood friend Riizen! Ok, who didn't see that one comming? Anyway Chres will finally get to speak here and after a short talk, Riizen will attack you. If you took my advice and have the Fire Blaster, run straight at her and flame her first form down to ashes. You probably will take some damage, but you need to beat her as quickly as possible because her second form is tough and you can't afford to take much damage here. After you beat her, her true form will appear. This thing is huge, really fast and has tons of attacks including multiple laser beams, and sending out explosive laser blasts out in every concievable direction at once. If you have Kina, this fight is a joke, as you have unlimited Fire Blaster, and you can just run up and waste her with ease. If you don't, then the easiest way is to go into Fighter mode, set speed to max and fly around in circles at the top of the screen until your missiles are charged. Then when it appears safe fly lower and nail her head on with them. Then repeat till shes dead. Just be careful not to phyiscally ram into her, cause it will do a TON of damage to you, on Hard 3 solid rams will kill you. After she dies, there will be a final conversation with Riizen, then she will die for good. Then go into the door that opened and approach the crystal in the center to finish the game. Congratulations, you've beaten Bulk Slash! Endings: After stopping the weapon in Stage 7 the generic ending anime will play, and then the credits. After they finish you will get to see your Navigator's personal love ending, assuming you scored enough love-points with her. Basically just pick one Navigator and stick with her till the end. If she levels up during the game, you will have enough points to get the ending. But say you play the stages in order, and pickup Colon in Stage 6, there is no possible way to get her ending, which is why you can play the Stages out of order. Note, if you can't get the ending with a girl just finish the game with her and then choose to use her from the very start of your next play and you'll get her ending every time. You will have to do this with Kina since you find her on the last stage, and it is impossible to get enough points with her on just that one stage no matter how good you are. Every Navigator has her own animated ending sequence (just like Sakura Taisen), they are all quite nicely done and well worth your time seeing all of them. After all, the girls are one of the best reasons to play this game! :D Its sad to say, but from what I can tell there is no way to save Riizen. Even playing through on Hard with no Navigator results in her death. I've even scanned the disk, and she doesn't have an ending so it looks like she is dead no matter what you do. :( Finally the game will tally your score, if it reaches Bonus Level 2 you will get your Navigator's first pic in the visual bonus gallery. If you reach Bonus Level 3 you will get more pics, and other extras like special icons for the high score page and even an ending viewer once you've gotten all of them. Note, the best way to get high scores is to finish the Stages as quckly as possible, without taking any damage. These two bonuses will be far higher then if you take your time and kill everything. Of course it helps to get big combo kills on the way to your goals and pick up any gold bars or medals you can find on the way. Well thats about it for this FAQ, I hope you find it useful and enjoy Bulk Slash as much as I did. Thanks go to the makers of the RetroCore Saturn Shooting Special, as that video is what got me interested in this game to begin with. Also thanks to Hudson Soft for making one of the few 3D action games on Saturn thats actually really good, and of course Sega for giving us one of the greatest videogame consoles in history and then leaving 90% of its great games in Japan. :P If you must contact me, drop me an email at s-u-p-e-r-d-e-a-d-i-t-e-@-g-m-a-i-l-.-c-o-m. (delete the slashes, they are just to divert spam.) Be sure to put BULK SLASH in the subject bar, or I won't read it. Otherwise thanks for reading my guide, and have fun!