Samurai
Shodown II / Shin Samurai Spirits: Haohmaru Jingokuhen
Story:
Amakusa
Shirou Tokisada, cause of the calamities occurring worldwide and driven
to resurrect the Dark Deity Ambrosia, was slain by a single samurai whose
existence was never recorded by history. This person deeply involved with
the resurrected Amakusa, Haohmaru,
was suddenly attacked one night. But the one who was up easily defeated
was not Haohmaru, but the sinister assailant... Haohmaru's attacker was
clearly manipulated by someone or some evil force. The would-be assassin
gasps a final promise to Haohmaru. "I'll have your soul one day.... Ambrosia...lives."
The evil ones are after him!
Haohmaru, sensing an evil force rivaling Amakusa,
pays a visit on his old fencing master. While Haohmaru relates his story,
his master's visage grows unusually grim. "Stay away. You have undeniably
grown stronger. But you must not confront them. Do you understand?" His
master obviously knows more, but grows silent, and besides Haohmaru isn't
listening anyway. That night, they share a few drinks to celebrate their
reunion after a long separation, and at dawn Haohmaru slips out unannounced
to embark on his journey. An audacious smile plays on his lips.
An awesome line-up of
weapon-wielding warriors.
Review:
Samurai
Shodown II (known as Shin Samurai Spirits: Haohmaru
Jingokuhen in Japan - which translates to True
Samurai Spirits: Haohmaru's Portrait
of Hell), is the sequel to the "sleeper" arcade hit 2D
weapon-based fighting game from SNK. This installment presents nicely updated character and background graphics,
featuring completely re-drawn
2D sprites and all new animations (something Capcom wasn't doing with the
SF2
series)... major cool points to SNK!
Nicotine VS Genjuro.
Samurai Shodown II adds
new characters, a few "hidden" gameplay secrets like taunts, and an even more balanced and innovative 2D
weapon based gameplay. SS2 improves on every aspect from the original
and adds a new gameplay element - Weapon Breaks, which allows players to "break" their
opponent's
weapon. A Weapon Break occurs after a super move connects; the receiving fighter
will lose
weapon for a brief period of time, forced to fight unarmed. Skilled players can still hold
their own when fighting barehanded, or at least until their weapon "magically"
re-appears from the sky in about 10-15 seconds.
The Weapon Break element really "makes the game" if you ask me and
adds a considerable amount of drama to each
battle, and is yet another feature that makes SS2 stand out from other
2D fighters.
Just like
in Street Fighter 2, air blocking doesn't exist, so players will experience good-old "anti-air mind games," which is only one of the many gameplay
strategies of SS2. Like in the first game, the animation becomes delayed (AKA slow
motion) when certain attacks connect, effecting gameplay
and the timing of combos... plus it looks really really cool.
The Rage system also returns, and once again adds great strategy to the
gameplay. Super moves can now be performed when a fighters Rage Meter (A.K.A.
POW Meter) is full, and
most of which look nothing short of spectacular when they connect.
Stylish fights to the
death.
Samurai Shodown
2 is regarded by many as one of, if not the best version in the series for it's
refined gameplay, style, and characters. Not only does SS2 play like a
gem; but
the art style and overall "mood" of SS2 is simply inspiring. From the defined
character designs and brilliant artwork to the awesome music, sound effects
& voice acting; Samurai Shodown II is a gorgeous and brilliantly
designed fighting game on all levels. Once
again, a well placed finishing strike at the end of a battle can split your
opponent in half, or even give the winning fighter a shower in their opponent's blood.... Beautiful
stuff.
Last Updated:
9/7/2010
Developer(s):
SNK
Publisher(s):
SNK
Platform(s):
Neo
Geo, Neo Geo CD, Wii, Xbox 360 (XBLA), PS2, PSP, Windows
Release Date(s):
October 8th 1994 (Arcade), August 25th 2008 ( Wii),
September 10th 2008 (XBLA)
- Review is for Arcade
version of Samurai Shodown II -
Gameplay
Engine
9.5 / 10
Story
/ Theme
10 / 10
Overall
Graphics
10 / 10
Animation
10 / 10
Music
/ Sound Effects
10 / 10
Innovation
10 / 10
Customization
8 / 10
Options / Extras
9 / 10
Intro / Presentation
9.5 / 10
Replayability / Fun
10 / 10
"Ouch" Factor
10 / 10
Characters
10 / 10
BOTTOM LINE
10 /
10
Final
Words:
Who could forget the memorable characters, backgrounds, music, extras;
and the intense, yet classy & stylish samurai battles to the death? I
certainly didn't, as this game is still one of my "top 5" favorite
fighting games of all time. I was racking up win streaks at the arcades when SS2
first came out, and I can still play a deadly Genjuro after all these years....
Doriyaaah!
What more could you want out of a fighting game in 1994, or now even?
Because
if a fighting game was ever balanced, you're looking at it... everyone
in this game can kick some serious ass under the control of a skilled player. Some may think the damage in this game
is a bit too drastic, but it's not unreasonable if you ask me and it also allows
players
who are low on life to make epic comebacks! ~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG
The Weapon Break element really "makes the game" if you ask me and
adds a considerable amount of drama to each
battle, and is yet another feature that makes SS2 stand out from other
2D fighters.
The Rage system also returns, and once again adds great strategy to the
gameplay. Super moves can now be performed when a fighters Rage Meter (A.K.A.
POW Meter) is full, and
most of which look nothing short of spectacular when they connect.
Wii),
September 10th 2008 (XBLA)
.
