Strategy Guide - Guide for Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2

Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2 for Dreamcast FAQ
version 0.1
by Vash the Stampede

Last updated 3/5/2000

Contents
========

i.   Foreword
ii.  Shameless Self-promotion

I.   What's new
II.  Basics
III. Battle modes
IV.  Character traits
V.   Puzzle Mode Scenarios ( coming soon )
VI.  Story Mode Translations ( coming soon )
     1. Shinguuji Sakura
     2. Kanzaki Sumire
     3. Maria Tachibana
     4. Iris Chateaubriand
     5. Li Kohran
     6. Kirishima Kanna
     7. Orihime Soletta
     8. Leni Milchstrasse
     9. Yoneda Ikki
    10. Fujieda Kaede
    11. Teigeki Sannin Musume (Yuri, Kasumi, Tsubaki)
    12. Kayama Yuuichi
VII. Version history

i. Foreword:

This is a work in progress.  I am not fluent in Japanese; it is my goal to
be.  I am not authorized by any official party to translate any aspect of
this game.  I am translating for two main reasons, those being a desire to
strengthen my knowledge of the language and to provide a resource that
someone might enjoy or find useful.  Feel free to distribute the guide as
long as:

1. Proper authoring credit is given.
2. The guide is unaltered.
3. No profit is made.

If you read this guide please drop me a line at [email protected]
Suggestions, complaints and criticisms (provided they are constructive and
not merely 'You suck!' and the like), compliments, comments are all welcome.

Any translation notes or comments of mine are enclosed in curly braces {}.
If you feel these are redundant, or maybe if there are not enough of them
let me know.


ii. Shameless Self-Promotion

Also feel free to check out the FAQ for the first Hanagumi Taisen Columns
which was originally released for the Saturn.  There are some references to
that game in this one so it may be worth your while.


I.   What's new

The entire guide.  First version.


II.  Basics

The rules of Columns are very simple.  Try to establish as many links as
possible.  A link is where three or more gems of the same color are lined
up vertically, horizontally or diagonally.  The linked gems are then cleared,
and any gems left unsupported drop down.

The dropping gems can land and cause yet another link.  When one link results
in another link, this is called a chain, in this case a 2-chain, since two
total links occurred.  A link that causes another two links is a 3-chain, and
so on.

However, if two separate links occur simultaneously, it is not considered a
chain.


On to the game itself.


Once you press start you are presented with five choices.  They are
described as follows (by picture).

Oogami                       - One player modes
Kanna and Sumire             - Two player modes
Maria and Orihime            - Network mode
Sakura and Kohran            - Options
Iris and Leni                - Presents



One Player Modes (with appropriate image, from upper left to lower right)
================

Shonen Red vs. Benitokage (Oogami working as the mogiri)
-------------------------
This replaces the first game's Cinderella mode.  It's Teigeki's next
production, and now the girls are competing for the role of Shonen Red.

Story Mode (The Hanagumi on stage)
----------
Short stories in the same manner of episodes in the main game, centered
around one of the protagonists.  However in this case, puzzle battles and
fishing things out of stacks of gems seem to be a part of everyday life as
these are referred to as such in the stories. :)

Director's Chair (Yoneda and Kaede looking on from backstage)
----------------
This is initially locked.  The four secret characters (well, four if you 
count the Sannin Musume as one) compete to determine who will direct
Shonen Red vs. Benitokage.  Once you face a hidden character twice in
Shonen Red mode as your final challenge, that character will be available
for this mode.

Free Battle Mode (Hanagumi group photo)
---------------- 
This is initially locked.  Choose your character and choose the opponent
the CPU will control.

Endless
-------
Endless is a basic scoring game with no set rules.  Just last as long as you
can.  When the meter fills, the silver hearts are released and you can use 
them to break all gems of the same color it lands on.

Puzzle
------
Puzzle scenarios in groups of nine separated by rank of difficulty.  Some
of the puzzles are now very structured and have very specific solutions.

Two Player Mode
---------------
Pretty self-explanatory.  You and an opponent pick a protagonist and have at
it.

Network Mode
------------
Unfortunately, I do not have any information on this mode as I do not
have a Japanese user account set up.  It seems you need one to be able
to play online.

Options
-------
Sound: Stereo, Mono
Vibration: On, Off
Difficulty: Beginner, Normal, Hard (locked), Strongest (locked)
Gems: Normal, Skeleton (transparent), Jean-Paul (locked), Koubu (locked),
      Teigeki Markers (locked)
Panic: On/Off (locked)
Review: Puzzle, Event, Sound (All locked)

Vibration is for the force-feedback devices.

Panic mode normally initiates in a game when a match goes on for a long
time.  Indestructible mines will begin to appear in place of some time-
release gems.  Setting this to on means Panic Mode starts from the
beginning.

Review:

Puzzle (locked)
------
Complete Shonen Red and Director's Chair modes to have the appropriate
character's puzzle art appear here.  The puzzle art is what appears as
you play behind the gems.

Event (locked)
-----
Art from the story modes unique to that story, including the final
picture.  Complete story mode with a character to get that character's
art.

Sound (locked)
-----
Here you can listen to the remixed Columns themes for the characters,
as well as other music that is heard in the game.


Presents
--------
For the top eight boxes, once you complete Shonen Red vs. Benitokage
mode with a character you had not beaten the mode with before, that
character will appear here to tell you what you've unlocked.

Here's what each character unlocks:

Shinguuji Sakura                     Puzzle Art Review
Kanzaki Sumire                       Event Art Review
Maria Tachibana                      Hard Difficulty
Iris Chateaubriand                   Jean-Paul gems
Li Kohran                            Free Battle Mode
Kirishima Kanna                      Panic Mode
Orihime Soletta                      Sound Review
Leni Milchstrasse                    Teigeki Marker gems

For the third row, once you complete Director's Chair with a new 
character, they will appear here.

Yoneda Ikki                          Strongest Difficulty
Sannin Musume                        Lightning Battle Mode (Kazegumi style)
Fujieda Kaeda                        Koubu gems
Kayama Yuuichi                       Shadow Battle Mode (Tsukigumi style)

The last row will appear when the character is unlocked for story mode.

Yoneda Ikki appears here after The Sannin Musume story is completed.

The Sannin Musume seem to appear after Orihime's story is completed
(not 100% sure about this, could use verification).

Fujieda Ayame appears after Leni's story is completed
(also not 100% sure about this, could use verification).

Kayama Yuuichi appears after Li Kohran's story is completed.




IV.  Character Traits
======================


Regulars
========

Shinguuji Sakura
----------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped   
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   6
      Level 4:   8 
   Drop Counter 
      Level 1-4: 4
Defense:
   Lines Removed  
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   6 

As expected, the main character is usually well-rounded in abilities.
Sakura adjusts well to most strategies.


Kanzaki Sumire
--------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped   
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   4
      Level 4:   5
   Drop Counter 
      Level 1:   4
      Level 2:   6
      Level 3:   8
      Level 4:   9 
Defense:
   Lines Removed
      Level 1:   3
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   5

Sumire is fairly well-rounded in ability as well, however she lends herself
more towards storing power levels for bigger attacks.


Maria Tachibana
---------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   4
      Level 2:   5
      Level 3:   6
      Level 4:   7
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   4
      Level 4:   5
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   4
      Level 2:   5
      Level 3:   6
   
Maria's attack drops a lot of gems, but they don't last very long.  A
successful strategy for Maria is to save up for one big attack, then
relentlessly attach with one level attacks.

Iris Chateaubriand
------------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   3
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   5
      Level 4:   6
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1-4: 3
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   5
      Level 2:   6
      Level 3:   7

Iris clearly has the strongest defense.  While not the strongest attacker,
she can use levels as needed to just outlast her opponent.  At level 3, her
defense clears about three-fourths of the playfield!  As you can imagine, 
Wind mode Iris can be difficult to deal with as she can clear her playfield all
the more quickly.  Mountain mode works well for her as well.


Li Kohran
---------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   1
      Level 2:   2
      Level 3:   3
      Level 4:   4
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1-4: 9
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   6

Although she drops the least amount of gems, her dropped gems last for nine 
moves, even at just Level 1.  A strategy similar to Maria by saving up for 
one level three attack and then relentlessly attacking works just as well 
for Kohran.  This is easier in Wind mode, possibly her best mode.  Shadow
works well for her as well.


Kirishima Kanna
---------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   6
      Level 4:   8
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   6
      Level 4:   8
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   1
      Level 2:   2
      Level 3:   3

Kanna is best at saving up for big attacks.  Defending is practically
pointless unless desparate.  If at level 3 and blocks need to be cleared
right away, it's better to opt for the silver heart gems.  The offensively
geared modes such as Fire (and Lightning if you're willing to gamble) work
very well for Kanna.


Soletta Orihime
---------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   1
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   5
      Level 4:   7
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1:   8
      Level 2:   7
      Level 3:   6
      Level 4:   5
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   1
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   5

Orihime's attacks at each level strike a balance between the gems' timer
and the amount of gems.  As she drops more, they remain a just a little
bit less.  At level 1, she's almost like Kohran, and at level 4, she's
almost like Maria.  She seems pretty versatile.
                        

Leni Milchstrasse
-----------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   3
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   3
      Level 4:   5
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1:   3
      Level 2:   6
      Level 3:   9
      Level 4:   9
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   6

With the exception of Level 4, Leni always drops the same amount of gems,
but the timer increases drastically with each level.  Leni does well in
Mountain and Shadow modes.


Unlocked Characters
===================

Fujieda Kaede
--------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   6
      Level 4:   8
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1:   5
      Level 2:   5
      Level 3:   5
      Level 4:   5
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   1
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   5

Kaede plays exactly as her sister Ayame did in the first game.
She is pretty strong overall but has one glaring weakness.  The pattern
she drops on her opponent are columns of identical color (like Ryu from
Super Puzzle Fighter Turbo 2), so if the opponent can last long enough for
them to return to normal gems, they eliminate themselves and fill the
opponent's meter.

Sannin Musume ( Yuri, Kasumi, Tsubaki )
---------------------------------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   3
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   5
      Level 4:   6
Drop Counter   
      Level 1:   4
      Level 2:   5
      Level 3:   5
      Level 4:   5
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   1
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   5

Not as much talking in unison this time out, but there are relatively
unchanged from the last game.


Yoneda Ikki
-----------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   2
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   4
      Level 4:   5
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1:   4
      Level 2:   5
      Level 3:   6
      Level 4:   7
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   1
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   5


Although he doesn't look overly powerful, Yoneda's strength lies in his
drop pattern.  It is obnoxiously shuffled, and it doesn't tend to eliminate
itself much if at all.  A relentless Yoneda is tough to deal with.  Plus,
his defense is as strong as Iris'.


Kayama Yuuichi
--------------

Attack:
   Lines Dropped
      Level 1:   3
      Level 2:   4
      Level 3:   5
      Level 4:   6
   Drop Counter   
      Level 1:   Special
      Level 2:   Special
      Level 3:   Special
      Level 4:   Special
Defense:
   Lines Removed 
      Level 1:   1
      Level 2:   3
      Level 3:   5

The timers for Kayama's gems work completely differently from any other
character.  For example look at this makeshift Ascii diagram for a level 4
Kayama attack on an empty play field:

777777
666666
555555
444444
333333
222222

Those are the counter numbers for the drop.  Shave one row per level off
the top for each level under 4. 

This unorthodox method, coupled with a thoroughly scrambled drop pattern 
makes Kayama arguably the strongest character overall in the game.


V. Puzzle Mode
==============

Coming soon.


VI. Story mode translations
===========================

Coming soon.


VII. Version History
====================

version 0.1, March 4, 2000 - First version with basic layout.