Destiny of an Emperor 2 Xuzhou
Destiny of an Emperor 2: The Story of Zhuge Liang
Xu Zhou and Surrounding Areas
Like it’s predecessor, Destiny of an Emperor 2 chronicles the era of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Unlike the first installment however, the gameplay is less linear and the story is more realistic, as it isn’t just Liu Bei going from one area to the next conquering castles. There are more caves, the gameplay (both in and out of battle) is slower, and the characters movement is even slower (for a while at least).
You can not recruit as many generals in this one, but in a sense that adds to the realism as the characters you do acquire actually served Liu Bei in the story. This game was never released on the Nintendo Entertainment System, and just recently the rom was translated to english (early 2000’s). With the added depth, the game probably lasts a bit longer than the first. While it personally isn’t as entertaining as the first, if you enjoyed the first you’re going to enjoy the second because despite the small differences the general engine is the same; 5 generals against 5 enemy generals.
Simply put, this game is for people who played the first game. I can’t imagine there are many who have played/heard of the second without previously playing the original DoaE.
You don’t start off with Zhang Jao/Dong Zhuo. In fact, the story begins as you and Cao Cao finish off Dong Zhuo. Yuan Shu (oh my) has stolen the imperial seal and declared himself emperor! Cao Cao sends you off to dispose of him while Cao Cao builds up his own defenses. Talk to Cao Cao and he offers you Lu Zhao and Zhu Ling. They are not great generals but they have a decent amount of soldiers and if you say no you’ll never get the chance to recruit them again. Of course, since they are only with you to the end of the Yuan Shu quest, that’s not really an issue.
Anyway, get them (or reject them) and walk south, as Guan Yu and later Zhang Fei will join you. Equip their weapons and notice the differences; unlike the first DoaE, you can’t just equip any weapon. Rather, each character has their own type (axe, bow, sword, etc). Explore the town and familiarize yourself with the new shops and the ones that have stayed the same.
The weaponry has Leather Armor if you wish, while you can train yourself at the facility in the northwestern area of town, with the symbol of a black ball and four dashes in the corners. The store with the dragon symbol has a deposit area for items and an area to save/quit your quest. The Inn is well, the Inn. Finally, the store with the treasure sack is an item store. There really isn’t much else to do so go out and leave.
Veterans of the first Destiny of an Emperor will smile when they hear the overworld theme as it will draw memories of the original DoaE theme. Be wary of your surroundings; in this game, terrain factors into the damage rates in battle. For example, Zhang Fei’s bar turns yellow in the mountains which means he takes off more/absorbs less. Memorize this for your characters to better utilize how you use them.
Also, you can align your characters in certain formation to take advantage of certain aspects (ie more magic power, more defense, faster characters, etc.). However, do know that most strategies have drawbacks as well so study them well before you implement them in important battles.
Make note of the agility statistic, as each character had their own agility in the first one but now it is recorded and displayed. You should have no trouble with random battles outside, as the three brothers are as formidable as before and Lu Zhao and Zhu Ling help out enough to create a good five man party.
Upon leaving Xu Zhou, you can go south to fight Yuan Shu’s cronies or you can go north to a cave. I suggest the latter, as this will make the Yuan Shu part much easier (although this is not necessary). Anyway, go northeast and ignore the hut but go in the cave east of it. Go north upon entry to grab 93 Gold. (Oh, and a note about the gold you find. Many times you’ll see me put a figure of gold up and yours will not be the same; that’s because the gold you get is random in each location, but I’ll just put my number in for reference sake more or less). Go further east now for 108 Gold, and then east for a Leather Hat and a Leather Shield. Above are four treasures; from left to right, they are Leather Armor, Copper Sword, Map and a Revive. The Copper Sword is a valuable weapon for Liu Bei at this stage of the game and the Leather equipment is solid as well.
The Map, if used on the Overworld, shows you your location and it allows you to see certain city locations depending on where you are in the game. Anyway, return to Xu Zhou and sell off your spare weapon/armor that you have after getting everything above.
Head south from Xu Zhou to continue the story, and it wraps east and eventually you will meet Ji Ling. You should recognize these foes, as Ji Ling along with Liang Gang and Ji were in the first DoaE under Yuan Shu. Ji Ling is a solid general but the other two are hogwash, so attack Ji Ling with all your might and throw in a few Lian Huo’s (Fire attack) for good measure. Again, using tactics will make you realize that tactics have changed in the sense that you can choose whether you want certain tactics (Chi Xin, Lian Huo) to be used on the whole party or just a general. If you use it on a group, it is weakened, while attacks on one character are very strong. Keep these things in mind as you are gaining experience with the nuances of battle. If you lost too many tactical points or are too beaten physically then go back and rest, if not continue on. Yuan Yin awaits, with Chen Lan and Li Feng. Chen Lan is a bit stronger than Li Feng so go after him. Yuan Yin isn’t too tough and neither is this battle, but do head back afterwards.
After returning, enter the cave north of Yuan Yin’s starting point.
Despite the simplicity (It IS the first cave) you’ll notice right from the start that the caves/dungeons are much more complex in the second than the first. Get used to it, they only get worse (Blood Seal cave in Shu is hell to the ignorant).
Upon entry, head right for 89 Gold, and then head straight up, taking the right route for an Herbal. Straight north is a Leather Helmet. Give this to Liu Bei, as he’ll be alone soon. The path to the right of this one contains the Leather Armor. Continue east and up again and then right, taking the north detour for a Herbal, and then following the path left. It wraps back up and east again, all the way up to Lord Yuan Shu. For the time in the game, this is a difficult battle. Zhang Xun is one of the weaker characters so you can leave him alone, but it’d be a good idea to soften up Lei Bo and Yue Jiu so they don’t take off too much as your core team is attacking Yuan Shu.
Obviously, Yuan Shu is your main threat so have everyone attack him whether you have Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao or not. Heal with Liu Bei or Guan Yu (Chi Xin) if necessary. Once he is out, the battle will be yours. Return to Xu Zhou now.
Returning to Xu Zhou, Cao Cao’s henchmen Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao will desert you and take the seal to Cao Cao, directing you to stay put. If you don’t have them, nothing will happen when you enter Xu Zhou.
Head in, Chen Deng will mention that Cao Cao learned of the blood oath and has a certain suspicion about Liu Bei. Think of the RTK oath between Ma Teng, Liu Bei, Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu and others. Everyone else says different things (mostly anti-Cao Cao sentiments) now.
Rest and talk to Che Zhou (north, where Dong Cheng was) and he will tell you that Ma Teng and Dong Cheng have been…BEHEADED! Scary, well unfortunately he’s alone so he’s probably not going to behead Liu Bei and his brothers. Take him out and talk to Chen Deng, who warns you to leave now as this act against Che Zhou is only going to infuriate Cao Cao more. Agree to Chen Deng’s idea to go see Zheng Xuan to get a letter to see Yuan Shao, as it’s your only hope. Before you go, if you gave any Leather equipment to Zhang Fei or Guan Yu, give it to Chen Deng instead. Leave, and as you do Cao Cao shows up with an army that makes you look like a joker.
Gawk at the generals stats and then run, but you’ll lose Zhang Fei and Guan Yu. This is why you were to strip them of any valuable equipment. Hurry north to Zheng Xuan’s house and enter, and you’ll see a blob up the stairs (on my emulator at least; it’s really Zheng Xuan though). He says to get the map as he is writing the letter, so do so. If you visited the cave before this and got the Map already, he’ll just give you his letter anyway.
If you’re going to the cave for your first time, take the lower path, grab the 112 coins, and then the two lower chests that are a Leather Helmet and a Leather Shield. The four northern chests are a Leather Armor, Copper Sword, Map and a Revive, left to right.
Equip the Copper Sword and return back and grab the last chest on the northern path for 123 gold pieces and then leave for Zheng Xuan’s estate again. Reluctantly, Liu Bei takes the letter and heads for Yuan Shao’s support, which is on the other end of the Yuan Shu cave if you did not know. Enter the boat, listen to the DoaE2 ferry music, and head north east.