The three stared blankly as Kojima inserted the game into the NovaBo's cartridge slot, and each of them couldn't help but swear.
"This is outrageous! How come it's a Gamenova product?!"
This strong sense of incongruity is as absurd as suddenly telling them that Wolfenstein was actually developed by Seele.
"It's probably to cater to the Japan market. Look at their own productions; they've been criticized for their subject matter several times already."
"That makes sense, but this is way too forceful. It looks like they just looked up some information and used it directly."
"Indeed, it feels like they forcibly mixed together what they thought Japan people would like."
While waiting for the game to load, a few people chattered amongst themselves.
The people on the cover alone were enough for them to glean quite a bit of information.
It's not just the classic story of Momotaro.
Classic characters such as Kintaro, Urashima Taro, Zashiki-warashi, and Princess Kaguya are designed with highly distinctive features, making them instantly recognizable.
The main idea is to add whatever you dream about into the game.
It's practically a hodgepodge of legends and stories.
"Basically, it's just like Richman. Let's get started."
The first part is the classic selection and naming process.
Thanks to the inherent advantages of Richman- style turn-based hotseat gameplay, " Momotetsu " can support up to four local multiplayer games without any extra performance overhead.
You don't even need an extra handle; one handle is enough.
"You know what, I feel like there's something special about this character design?"
Kojima carefully read the character descriptions and realized that the abilities of different characters were completely different.
This is not simply a matter of different shapes.
" Urashima Taro has a turtle gadget, so he doesn't need to pay navigation fees when crossing ocean areas. That's... surprisingly reasonable."
In the legendary story " Urashima Taro ", Urashima Taro saved a sea turtle and was taken to the Dragon Palace by it, where he was given Tamatebako.
"Could they have actually done some serious research?"
The other roommates also sensed something was amiss.
These characters are definitely not just something that's been rebranded and used to ride the wave of popularity.
Urashima Taro symbolizes Kanagawa Prefecture, Kintaro represents Shizuoka, and Momotaro represents Okayama Prefecture.
Rather than a hodgepodge of stories, it's more accurate to describe it as a collection of well-known characters and stories from all over Japan.
"Stop dawdling and let's get started."
When the four men saw the railway network, which was completely different from the circuitous Richman board they remembered, they fell silent.
The starting point is naturally [ Tokyo Station ].
However, there are routes that can be traveled in all four directions, up, down, left, and right, centered on Tokyo Station.
It can be reached from the north via the Hokkaido Shin-U Line to Sapporo, or from the south to Nagasaki on Kyushu Island.
This is fundamentally a radial network—no, a radial network.
While GAMENOVA didn't pioneer this type of non-circular route, a map based on the real railway network of Japan is quite rare.
"That's too strong!"
This level of detail is something even local Japan manufacturers probably couldn't achieve.
"Oh no, this has become Kondō's advantage area."
Kojima recovered from his shock and made a joke.
Kondō was the most passionate railway enthusiast among them.
They even loved it so much that they often borrowed his camera to photograph trains.
This piece of work is right in his favor.
"That's true, I could recite Japan's railway network with my eyes closed, I'm definitely going to beat them."
Kondō chuckled, his eyes gleaming, eager to get his hands on it and try it out.
" Kondō, kisama!"
Kojima was once again charged exorbitant tolls by the real estate Kondō purchased along the Mount Fuji route.
Kondō's knowledge of railways truly gave him a significant advantage over the other three.
Right at the start of the game, while others were still unsure which route to choose, he had already headed south.
While the three of them were still figuring out how to play the game, Kondō had already turned Shikoku Island and Kyushu Island into his own base of operations.
"No, isn't there anyone who can handle him? Didn't you have a robbery card?"
"I'll steal it? Do you think I'm stupid? Who are you planning to give that Death God card to?"
"Trust me, buddy, let's go to Kyushu Island together. You'll use robbery, I'll use death. We'll exchange sincerity for sincerity."
In the world of Richman, you can't trust anyone!
This is the first principle you must learn if you want to survive!
Any seemingly balanced relationship is maintained by the deterrent effect of the resources available at hand.
This fragile balance can collapse with just the slightest external force.
"I really feel like it was your amazing performance today that helped me out, my hands were on fire!"
Kondō's luck today is frighteningly good; it's as if he can control the numbers on these dice, getting as many as he wants.
Kojima, on the other hand, seemed to have used up all his luck in the previous mahjong game, and was constantly getting the short end of the stick in this round.
"This is really bad luck, we should probably get a safety net."
As they were talking, Kondō's die flew out and landed on a 3.
The third cell in front of him was marked with a question mark.
This is an event grid; staying here will trigger a completely random event.
Typically, it would mean finding money, finding some kind of prop, or conversely, losing something.
Given Kondō's current advantages, to be honest, he wouldn't care at all even if we took two cards from him.
His assets on Shikoku Island alone are enough for him to develop steadily.
[I got on the wrong train! I've been taken to Sapporo!]
Kondō stared blankly as his character was taken from the southernmost tip of Kyushu Island all the way to the northernmost tip of Hokkaido, speechless for a moment.
"Who gets on the wrong bus and ends up traveling all over the country?!"
This sudden turn of events completely disrupted all his plans.
What's most alarming is that Hokkaido is Kojima's territory. From its initial development to the present, Kojima has invested in shops on almost every piece of land in Hokkaido.
From small yakitori and sushi restaurants to large ceramic factories, this place has completely become the Kojima's backyard.
Being dumped here is definitely not a good thing!
"Ha, you've finally met your match! You've had it so easy, it's time for your bad luck to come your way."
The other three, however, were overjoyed.
Kondō was arrogant throughout the entire game, completely dominating them.
Seeing him in trouble now makes the three brothers happier than if they had won themselves.
" Hideo, I order you to immediately head north and capture Kondō- san!"
"No need to say more!"
The Kojima had been preparing for this for a long time, and finally, its luck turned around and it stumbled upon such a golden opportunity. There was no reason not to seize it.
We must seize this opportunity to defeat Kondō decisively and ensure he can never rise again!
"Get out of here!"
The die slowly came to rest on the 1", and the next square was the event square.
"Gulp"
Success or failure hinges on this one battle.