SNK's classic fighting series arrives on the Xbox in fine fashion with
Samurai Shodown V, a superb arcade translation for the console. The
title's back-to-basics design should please fans of the earlier
installments, and the addition of Xbox Live support adds to the
multiplayer mayhem. A typically deep lineup of fighters and an extensive
moves list adds to the challenging gameplay, which features tight controls
and solid opponent AI. The game is somewhat lacking visually, though it
fits in nicely with the earlier titles. SSV isn't the most innovative game
of its kind, but its' a solid title that should please fans of the series.
While the original hardware is
definitely showing it's age after 15 years of solid performance, there's
still life in the Neo-Geo and its developers at SNK. While the system has
always appealed to a niche audience, a larger group of gamers has grown to
love many of their franchises thanks to their appearance on cheaper
consoles. While there are some compromises, such as load time, the home
versions of these games have generally been faithful to the originals.
Now, SNK has struck once again, and Xbox owners can now enjoy a piece of
arcade glory with the release of Samurai Shodown V on the console.
Returning the series to its MVS core in many respects, this edition is an
excellent installment in the long-running action franchise. In contrast to
other fighters on the market, which get players involved with flashy moves
and massive combos, the gameplay of SSV has always been a bit more subtle
and nuanced, though the game still features the infamous Rage moves which
make your attacks more powerful for a short time. As you fight your
opponent, your gauge increases and when it's full, you can unleash
powerful combos which cause a significant amount of damage. Like all great
fighting games, SSV doesn't cater to button mashers, and instead requires
players to build up their skills by mastering several techniques including
blocking and more.
Unlike
the cut and paste characters in other fighting games, Samurai Shodown's
cast actually brings a unique fighting style to the battle, meaning each
one has a distinct flavor that makes the gameplay more varied than most
fighting titles. Since the characters are armed with swords, its no
surprise that each one has their own unique set of slash attacks as well,
with strong and standard attacks to slice through their opponents. Knowing
when to attack and when to keep your swords drawn is a key element in the
game, and mastering the timing of the game is one of the key strategies to
real success. Samurai Shodown's moves lists are quite extensive and this
deep fighting system remains as tightly wound and expertly balanced as
ever, though the slightly streamlined approach used in this installment is
a tad less intimidating than some of the previous games. One of the more
interesting elements this time around is the sword gauge, which you can
use to time your attacks, making the gameplay more strategy than you'd
expect from a typical fighter. Performing the special attacks takes
practice, not in just merely the button combinations, but also mastering
when they'll be most effective. The pace is a tad slower than titles like
Fatal Fury and King of Fighters, but this more cerebral approach makes
Samurai Showdown V more appealing to fighting game veterans. However, this
isn't a dry thinker's game, and it remains quite violent, and there's
plenty of blood and guts to see onscreen to keep your interest levels
high.
Samurai Shodown features a huge cast of
26 different characters, 11 of which are new this time. They've been
equipped with dozens of special attacks this time around, giving you
plenty of options during the battle. You'll find all your old-time
favorites here as well, just as powerful and versatile as they've always
been, though some have undergone some slight revisions. From an aesthetic
standpoint, the game's visuals look decent, though the aging sprites tend
to look a little blocky these days. Its lush backgrounds remain impressive
and the game's sedated color scheme makes it feel more like a classic
anime novel than a cartoon and this grit is one of the key reasons why the
series has endured for so long. Some of the game's new characters have
been designed by an actual anime artist named Nobuhiru Wazuki. These
additons show a great deal of personality and style throughout, while
fitting into the parameters of the existing series faithfully. The game's
overall look and feel are faithful to the arcade edition, but Samurai
Shodown V isn't going 3D with any fancy effects, this is a traditional
side-scrolling 2D fighter in the classic SNK mold. Its Xbox translation is
fairly excellent and while there is some minor load time between rounds,
it's not enough to ruin the gameplay's momentum and flow.
In
addition to the standard versus and practice modes, the game offers a
twist in the form of Xbox Live support. This allows you to compete in a
variety of different modes including one-on-one against a single opponent,
or against a series of foes in a grand tournament online. This is a pretty
cool feature that adds a lot of replay value, and enhances the already
solid single player experience. Playing online doesn't mean a loss of
speed or accuracy either, since the game suffers from little in the way of
lag or dropped games. While there are much fancier and more technically
advanced titles on the market, this game succeeds because its solid
gameplay and traditional approach still appeals after all these years.
Sure, some of the animations seem a little choppy and pixellated these
days, but the classic fighting mechanics that have stood the test of time
are very much evident, making for a challenging, engaging fighter that
offers plenty of depth and style. The additional modes are just icing on
the cake and make this an even better value for the money. Samurai Shodown
V is a classic gaming icon and this faithful Xbox conversion offers a
solid gaming experience that fans of the original SNK titles won't want to
miss.
- M. Palisano
