Gameplay

Overview
The enemies in Rengoku and Rengoku 2 are significantly tougher than the usual machine gun fodder. They attack with the same weaponry you wield; if you want better loot you have to defeat androids that are using it. In order to survive, and indeed flourish, you must learn the finer points of combat. So many games have you spamming a single button that games like Rengoku, which actually require you to think about what you are doing and discipline yourself in combat, are usually ridiculed for being overly challenging and difficult to play.

Dodging
To survive you absolutely must learn to dodge as fluently as you attack, or you will be unable to progress past the first mini boss on the first floor. You dodge by tapping the arrow button or analog nub twice in the direction you wish to execute the maneuver. Your dodge style will change depending on what leg equipment you have; some parts allow you to roll, while others cause you to sidestep. Certain leg parts even allow you to attack with a flying kick as you evade attacks. Remember, you are impossible to hit while dodging, so you can always win, no matter how bleak the situation, as long as you keep a level head and execute your attacks and evasions with precision.

Equipment Slots
You can equip five parts at once; one on your head, one on each arm, one on your torso, and one on your legs. Hitting the same button over and over again, or holding the fire button continuously is one of the fastest ways to die. Each part is linked to a separate button; your head ability/attack is triangle, your arms are square and O, and your torso is X. Your legs are either automatic, or they are activated by dodging. If you do not vary attacks you will be unable to build a combo if using blades, and unable to dodge enemy attacks for any weapon.

Overheating
Do not let yourself overheat. How hot a limb is getting is indicated by a red bar overlapping your ammo markers. If it completely overheats you will start on fire and be unable to use that limb until it completely cools. Limbs overheat through use, or if you are attacked by temperature raising weapons such as Flamethrowers, Napalm Grenades, or the Heat Sword.

Bosses and Mini Bosses
Each floor has about four mini boss rooms. Once you defeat all the normal enemies in the room, the mini boss(es) will spawn. By defeating the mini boss you acquire a high grade part for the floor on which the room is found, and if you clear all the mini boss rooms on a floor you will unlock a teleporter to the floor boss, who is usually very large and carries some kind of special weapon or part which you acquire for defeating them.