Samurai Shodown V
by SNK
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Category: Video Games
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Product Summary
Brand: SNKRelease Date: 2006-01-18
Platform: Xbox
Model: 828862500083
Publisher: SNK
Product features:
- Choose from 20 classic Samurai SHodown characters, as well as some all-new ones
- Wild new moves and combo - new 3-bladed slash attacks and kick maneuvers you can combine into killer chain attacks
- Sword Spirit Gauge drains as you perform powerful attack combos and fills as you meditate or stand idle
- Slow down time for more effective attacks, and even drop your sword and go at it hand-to-hand!
Video Game Reviews of Samurai Shodown V
Customer Review: Ah...Retro...Brilliant!
Summary: 5 Stars
I will firstly mention - that unlike most of the countless narrow minded attempts at reviewing this game that I have recently read (by so-called professionals), my rating will be one aimed at the hardcore 2D fighting game connoisseur and NOT one aimed at the modern day `give me amazing 3D graphics or I'm not interested' gamer! AND, it will be about the GAME, and not an attempt to impress the viewer with cryptic metaphors and useless pulp.
Games like these are specifically aimed at those who have an appreciation for traditional artwork in games, and characterisation - something that most will agree SNK are the grand masters of.
GAMEPLAY
Awesome - depending on how much investment of time you put in you will get a lot out of this game. There are many elements to the gameplay that make it timelessly fun. You can dash, duck, retreat, and obviously block, to name a few of the core tactical defensive elements - and these really lay the foundations for some speedy epic gameplay, for which the controls a very responsive.
In terms of defence, there is nothing quite like the moments where you and your opponent each exchange blows, each defending one another's blows one after the other until an opening is left, this almost becomes a full blown sword fight at times! And the beauty of it is that unlike your average non-weapon based 2D fighters, you sustain no damage when blocking with weapons (unless you are disarmed), this makes for some very exciting moments which can draw the length of the bout out, giving it an amazingly challenging intensity. In the case that you are disarmed you may get relentlessly slashed at with only your arms to defend you which will cause blood loss and some small damage. The option menu allows you to increase the amount of successful bouts to I think FIVE a piece if I remember correctly - which is great if you like an epic lengthy battle.
This game's fun element pays off the most if you wait for the right moments to strike your opponent, instead of button mashing your way through. And to be honest you are not likely to be successful button mashing as the computer A.I. is very good most of the time. The A.I. is at a perfect balance for the most part - the computer is equally defensive as it is offensive - almost as if you are battling a human controlled opponent, a big plus. Much of the time you will have to study your opponents tactics in order to find openings for the best attack timing (this is something that many reviewers interpret as a severe imbalance because they were not prepared to learn their opponent's strengths and weaknesses, and have another shot)
Knock out's are nice with a slow motion effect kicking in as the looser gets sliced or smashed - this is particularly nice when you manage to KO your opponent with Genjuro's grab and stab style move, where you get to hear your opponents innards burst within them as Genjuro lifts them off the ground while he runs them through 2 times in a row with his razor sharp Katana blade. Nice.
It's a shame that SNK Playmore didn't release the `Special' version of Samurai Shodown V for PS2/XBOX which has the death moves, but it's understandable that with it being the final NEO GEO AES/MVS release that they wanted to keep it exclusive. This game still has enough to it to be worth your time despite it only being the standard release though - don't be swayed.
GRAPHICS/PRESENTATION
Good - and again I remind you that I aim this review at hardcore 2D fighting game connoisseurs and budding enthusiasts alike.
The sprite animation is not particularly consistent, but there is worse out there. It makes the grade at least. There are certain animations that are very fluid indeed leaving you with a satisfied `arcade reminiscent' feeling. Characters all have their own distinct stances and personalities - the animation conveys these very well and it gives the game a very interesting look. I personally find that having the colour/brightness settings on my TV lower than typical helps as it gives the graphics a less cartoony look and more of a washed out look which helps give the game the darker more brooding atmosphere that it lacks slightly compared with earlier games in the series. Because the characters may be stylised caricatures, but they are apparently loosely based on real people way back in history who had motives as dark as those conveyed in the game.
The zooming in and out effect is used with fluidity - just as it was in the arcade. Backdrops are pretty good - not the best I have seen by any means, but they are colourful and set the scene nicely. What's nice about the backdrops is they extend beyond the top of the screen with separate layers for horizon detail which is nice to see as you get pummelled up into the sky by your opponent or vice-versa.
SOUND/MUSIC
Very nice - You get `chings' and `changs' of colliding metal weapons, slicing flesh sounds, monotone spurting blood sounds - all very effective - and best if you have your console linked up to a hi-fi system so you can really feel the bass impact of the body blows or when a body hits the deck. The battle cries are brilliant for the most part - each character has more of these than you would find in your typical 2D fighter which keeps it interesting. Some of the characters have some repetitive battle cries which can become a little irritating, but hey, this just gives you an incentive to decimate them a whole lot faster! - A little annoying but you just overlook it because for the most part battle grunts and such are modest and realistic. It tends to be the quirkier characters that are a little more flamboyant in this department.
Music is good - some good variation - some stages are up-tempo and energetic while others are more sombre or melancholy, but all done with the distinct traditional Japanese instruments which sets the scene just right, and at times create almost a ghostly atmosphere - excellent.
IN A NUTSHELL
Basically if you're like me and LOVE the oldskool 2D fighters for their unique feel and have been deprived of a decent Samurai Shodown game because you didn't have the money or the right console or whatever the case may be - BUY THIS. As long as you expect a strictly oldskool affair and don't build yourself up into thinking its trying to be something more than what it's actually aiming to be, it's money well spent.
Description of Samurai Shodown V
Samurai Shodown V brings back the classic side-scrolling action with a completelynew storyline, new characters and new moves. A samurai's quest to prove himself against the Shogun leads to a gathering of the world's greatest warriors to compete for the right to be named the greatest.All Games
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