I've played a ton of fighting games in my time, it's my favorite genre--but even someone of my experience knows how to brute force through one when push comes to shove--an option I didn't have in Samurai Shodown, which is an experience I've been truly hungry for. SamSho asks you to understand the dynamic between two fighters in a fashion truly all fighters do, but only this one arguably requires to perform well. As someone with an admitted short fuse with gaming, it certainly didn't hurt that the presentation and characters in this game are just amazing--fully engaging and entertaining no matter how often I lost, and dying a lot made learning the ropes and winning all the more rewarding.
I'd say the game's only flaw is Shizuka, perhaps the worst boss battle SNK has made you encounter. I'm sure some masochistic designer was really patting themselves on the back for making a boss battle with so much emphasis on challenging defense, when the reality is that the battle's focus on drilling specific weak points really causes it to shift into a mindless button masher, the precise antithesis of what makes the game so great in the first place.
I'd say the game's only flaw is Shizuka, perhaps the worst boss battle SNK has made you encounter. I'm sure some masochistic designer was really patting themselves on the back for making a boss battle with so much emphasis on challenging defense, when the reality is that the battle's focus on drilling specific weak points really causes it to shift into a mindless button masher, the precise antithesis of what makes the game so great in the first place.
The tutorial makes the game seem vastly more complicated than it actually is despite the fact the game works more or less the same as any other fighter. So many rules as to when this or that can be activated, health must be at x percentage, meter at y, can be activated only once per match, etc. etc. The tutorial doesn't even mention which button does what up front. So I'm pausing the game to see the buttons WHILE DOING THE TUTORIAL.
Once done with the tutorial I'm booted out to the main menu where there's nothing left but arcade mode. But the goofy, balloony looking characters, art style that's simultaneously garish and dreary, and samey roster ("weirdo with sword" done nineteen different ways) leave me completely uninvested. It should also be mentioned that trying to select any DLC character redirects you to the PSN store where you may download that character, even if you own all the season passes. Those characters become free, but you still have to download each and every character one by one which is pretty gross. On top of that some characters still require that I pay such as Mina- wait, wasn't she included in one of the passes? If I buy her wouldn't I technically be buying her twice? I honestly don't know.
Once done with the tutorial I'm booted out to the main menu where there's nothing left but arcade mode. But the goofy, balloony looking characters, art style that's simultaneously garish and dreary, and samey roster ("weirdo with sword" done nineteen different ways) leave me completely uninvested. It should also be mentioned that trying to select any DLC character redirects you to the PSN store where you may download that character, even if you own all the season passes. Those characters become free, but you still have to download each and every character one by one which is pretty gross. On top of that some characters still require that I pay such as Mina- wait, wasn't she included in one of the passes? If I buy her wouldn't I technically be buying her twice? I honestly don't know.
I was surprised at how fun this game was and how good SNK handled the "modernization" of their fighting customs by using Unreal Engine for this game.
Graphics and animations are great and the combat mechanics are fun. Here's hoping that future SNK games follow the lead of this game.
Graphics and animations are great and the combat mechanics are fun. Here's hoping that future SNK games follow the lead of this game.
Fantastic game, however there’s not much to do in it due to a lack of content and terrible online
8/10
a game where the visuals are beyond incredible and has really great fighting mechanics
The lack of rollback netcode reaaally killed any remaining interest I had in this title. On top of the human malware making it impossible to play locally.
I actually like the gameplay well enough. The lack of reliance on memorizing combos really appeals to me but unfortunately there's barely any characters I actually like. I like Wu's design the most but her zoner playstyle doesn't appeal to me at all. The single player content is very lacking and I don't have a lot of interest in playing random people online if I don't substantially enjoy the characters. The visual style is certainly an upgrade from KoF 14 at least.
Me chupa un huevo la netcode este es el mejor samsho
Fun neutral heavy game with super powerful options. Story mode was slightly limited but added just enough personality/lore to the characters to make me care about them. Final Boss is annoyingly dumb on anything past Easy. Charlotte is fun.
netcode reeks but I was so excited for this game I got back in the pax east line to play it like 4 times
Yeah, the netcode is absolute trash, but the gameplay is tantalizing and fuuuuuck, you seen how fucking hot the ladies are? I was gonna rate this 4/5, but shit, gotta put some respect on this game's name.
the Good Normals (tm) game; yashamaru is raw
godly fucking game that is being given a second chance at life summer 2023 please play it
i think its really funny how in this game of mystical ninja and badass samurai all with unique and memorable designs i main the generic knight from for honor (which i dont even play)
This is one of the best fighting games I have ever played. It not having rollback and being released right before the pandemic was a tragedy.
This is such a graphical step up from KOFXIV and I think SNK deserves props for that. This is my first SamSho but I still enjoy it even if its a bit more neutral focused than what I typically enjoy. Shame about the abhorrent netcode.
Looks amazing when you compare it to most modern day fighting games.
Actually fantastic and one of the best in its series alongside 5 special. Now fix the damn netcode already
Really wanted to play this game. Shame they did everything they could to kill it.
mortal kombat if real people made it
Ah the classic fighting game dilemma of pretty fun game but bad netcode. Oh well.
The game is fun
(wish I could say the same about the netplay)
(wish I could say the same about the netplay)
hey fuck you SNK give your fantastic games actually playable netcode you shitheads
A fighting game that requires timing and patience. Don't just mash, wait for your opening.
Compared to other fighting games, Samurai Shodown is not as focused on combos, but rather on patience and punish game. With a PC port coming, it's a great time to get involved in the community.