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Position in the chronology
It is canonical?
12th
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This article is about the 2019 video game. For the 1993 video game, check Samurai Shodown (1993).

"Embrace Death And No One Can Stop You."

- Tagline

Samurai Shodown, known as Samurai Spirits (サムライスピリッツ) in Japan, is a weapon-based fighting game by SNK released in June 2019. It is the 12th "mainline" installment of the Samurai Shodown series and the first "mainline" game since 2008's Samurai Shodown Sen, marking an 11 year gap between the releases themselves. It is the prequel of the first Samurai Shodown[1] and the second of the official chronology, succeeding Samurai Shodown V. This is also the first SNK game that utilizes Unreal Engine graphics (in this case, Unreal Engine 4). The illustrations, in-game artwork and background were mostly done by Yumi Saji, while the covers and promotional artworks were done by Eisuke Ogura.

The game was first released in June 2019 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and later ported to the Nintendo Switch and Stadia. An arcade version (running on Taito Type X3 hardware with the NESICAxLive2 digital distribution platform) was playable in August at EVO 2019 in Las Vegas[2] and was released in October 2019 in Japan. The Epic Games PC version has been released in June 11, 2020,[3] and the Xbox Series version is released at March 16, 2021. The PC Steam version was released on June 14, 2021, one year after its PC release exclusivity with Epic Games lapsed. The mobile version was released on August 29, 2023 with Netflix requirements to play.

The latest director of the game, Hayato Konya, announced a new mechanic called Guard Crush, along with a new rebalancing, whose main objective is adding measures to prevent weapons from disappearing off the stages, and to promote more offense-oriented gameplay. Both changes were patched into the game on March 8, 2021 for Xbox users (due to SNK's error), and March 16, 2021, for the rest of the platforms.

On EVO 2022, SNK announced that the game will implement Rollback Netcode, developed by Code Mystics, the same used in The King of Fighters XV, which aims to improve the online matches. Initially, the update would be released in Spring 2023, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Steam and Epic Games, but it's postponed several times, and the release date remains unknown. The first Open Beta Test was released for the Steam version in January of the same year. Another two Open Betas were released through the year.

Story[]

It is 1787, the 7th year of the Tenmei era. Tanuma Okitsugu, counsel to the Shogun, loses his grip on power amidst the turmoil with Hinowa. Meanwhile, the newly appointed Matsudaira Sadanobu, has been chosen to usher in a new age of reform with the Kansei era. However, the land remains beset by fire, ruin and famine, all while a sinister cloud darkens the air with a foreboding sense of dread.

In the beginning, its effects were barely noticeable. But, by the time its unholy nature became clear, it was already too late, as the darkness and despair had spread throughout the land of Japan.

Gameplay[]

  • NORMAL ATTACK (ARMED)

Perform different slashing attacks when armed depending on the button used. Some techniques may change depending on the distance to your opponent.

  • NORMAL ATTACK (UNARMED)

You can still attack even when unarmed. However, such attacks are less powerful than armed attacks.

  • KICKS

Kicks can be performed whether or not a character is armed. Different kick attacks can be performed when the directional buttons are used in combination with the kick button.

  • SWORD CLASH

When slashing attacks collide under certain circumstances, a Sword Clash will occur. If this happens, repeatedly press the slash attack buttons.

  • GUARD

Press the directional buttons in the opposite direction of your opponent to defend against the opponent's attacks. You can guard while either standing or crouching. Each kind of guard has certain attacks that it cannot block. You can also deflect certain attacks by guarding against them.

  • JUST DEFENSE & STANCE BREAK

Guard right when an opponent attacks to perform a Just Defense. You can perform a Stance Break when this happens.

  • SPECIAL MOVES

Combine the directional buttons with other buttons to perform character-specific special moves. Some moves will change depending on the buttons pressed.

  • GUARD BREAK

Inputting a throw command near an enemy will perform a Guard Break, which cannot be guarded against.

  • DODGE

The enemy attacks can be dodged on the spot. However, enemy throw attacks (Guard Break attacks) can only be dodged during the first moment of the attack.

  • COUNTER

Countering certain enemy slashing attacks at the perfect moment will allow you to deflect the attack and knock your opponent back. It is possible to send an opponent's weapon flying by deflecting a heavy slash attack.

  • BLADE CATCH

Performing a Blade Catch against certain slashing attacks at the perfect moment when unarmed will cause you to catch your opponent's weapon. When successfully performed, you will down your opponent and can send his or her weapon flying.

  • SURPRISE ATTACK

Surprise Attacks are special mid-level attacks that cannot be blocked by a crouching guard.

  • MAX RAGE

Your Rage Gauge will fill as you take damage. Once the Rage Gauge is full, you will enter Max Rage. During Max Rage, your attack power will increase, certain special moves will be enhanced, and you will be able to unleash a Weapon Flipping Technique.

  • RAGE EXPLOSION

You can perform a Rage Explosion at the cost of your Rage Gauge. This will greatly increase your attack power, enhance certain special moves, and allow you to perform Weapon Flipping Techniques and Lightning Blades.

The Rage Explosion can be performed at any time during a match, but only once per match. After activation, your Rage Gauge will be consumed. She will also last for a longer amount of time if your life is low when it is activated.

  • WEAPON FLIPPING TECHNIQUE

This technique can be unleashed when you are at Max Rage or in Rage Explosion mode. Send your opponent's weapon flying by landing this technique. However, Max Rage or Rage Explosion will come to an end when this technique is used.

  • LIGHTNING BLADE

This is a powerful attack where you quickly rush toward an opponent. It can only be unleashed during Rage Explosion. The amount of damage this attack does is determined by how much of your gauge remains during Rage Explosion mode. Regardless of whether or not Lightning Blade lands, performing it will cause Rage Explosion to come to an end.

  • SUPER SPECIAL MOVE

Each character has one extremely powerful attack. It can be used at any time during a match, but only once per match.

  • BLOOD AND DISMEMBERMENT

In this game, there is a function called "BLOOD AND DISMEMBERMENT". When active, the characters, when defeated with strong slashes or some special moves, are dismembered, and disappear from the stage. Additionaly, some blood can be seen during the fight. The dismemberment doesn't occur with the 3D Retro Versions of some mainline characters, and the characters Baiken, Gongsun Li and Shizuka, regardless of settings.

Controls[]

Note: These are the default control schemes. You can change them at any time with the Options Menu or by pausing.

Battle Controls[]

Movement Console Terminology
PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One/Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Neo Geo
Light Slash PS4 Square PS5 Square XboxOne X Switch Y Neo Geo A Button
Medium Slash PS4 Triangle PS5 Triangle XboxOne Y Switch X Neo Geo C Button
Heavy Slash PS4 Circle PS5 Circle XboxOne B Switch A Neo Geo D Button
Kick PS4 Cross PS5 Cross XboxOne A Switch A Neo Geo B Button
Medium Slash + Heavy Slash PS4 L1 or PS4 Square + PS4 Cross PS5 L1 or PS5 Square + PS5 Cross XboxOne LB or XboxOne X + XboxOne A Switch LB Neo Geo B Button + Neo Geo C Button
Light Slash + Medium Slash PS4 R1 or PS4 Cross + PS4 Triangle PS5 R1 or PS5 Cross + PS5 Triangle XboxOne RB or XboxOne A + XboxOne Y Switch RB Neo Geo A Button + Neo Geo B Button
Light Slash + Medium Slash + Heavy Slash PS4 L2 or PS4 Cross + PS4 Triangle PS5 L2 or PS5 Cross + PS5 Triangle XboxOne LT or XboxOne A + XboxOne Y Switch LT Neo Geo A Button + Neo Geo C Button
Heavy Slash + Kick PS4 R2 or PS4 Cross + PS4 Triangle PS5 R2 or PS5 Cross + PS5 Triangle XboxOne RT or XboxOne A + XboxOne Y Switch RT Neo Geo B Button + Neo Geo D Button
Pause Menu PS4 Options PS5 Options XboxOne Menu Switch Plus ???

Menu Controls[]

Note: In the Japanese PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5 version, the Buttons used for Confirm and Cancel are reversed.
Movement Console Terminology
PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One/Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Neo Geo
Confirm PS4 Cross PS5 Cross XboxOne A Switch A Neo Geo A Button
Cancel PS4 Circle PS5 Circle XboxOne B Switch B Neo Geo B Button

Characters[]

Like in KOF XIV, the voice cast changes considerably, with new voice actors, including those who have been voiced by the same actors since their debut or for several years. The exceptions include Haohmaru, Genjuro and Kyoshiro. Seira Ryu (Ruixiang's voice), Masaki Masaki (Kazuki's voice) and Mai Nakahara (Nakoruru's voice) have already worked on the KOF series, being the voice actors of Meitenkun, Billy Kane and Nakoruru in her appearance on the fourteenth KOF mainline game, respectively. Mai also voiced Nakoruru in SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy, a game released in 2018, and in her recent appearance in some games.

The starting roster features a total of 16 characters, with 13 returning veterans from the past Samurai Shodown games, along with three newcomers and a new final boss to the series. The game also counts with 14 additional DLC characters (divided in three seasons), between veterans of the series and guest characters (Warden, Gongsun Li and Baiken). The DLC guest characters are featured as part of the collaborations with Ubisoft's For Honor (an action game series), Tencent's Honor of Kings (a multiplayer mobile series) and Arc System Works' Guilty Gear (a fighting game series). Beside that, the game features a collaboration with The Last Blade series (Hibiki Takane). With exception of Warden and Baiken, all other DLC characters have gained new voice actors compared to their last in-game appearance.

The new original characters added to the cast are:

Chara kurama
Yashamaru Kurama, a young man of Tengu lineage, who lost his father at the hands of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and seeks revenge for his death. He is the protagonist of the game.
Chara da
Darli Dagger, a shipwright, who travels the world in search of a masked man who destroyed one of her ships.
Chara kou
Wu-Ruixiang, a wanderer and descendant of an ancient and honorable Feng Shui clan. She travels the world in the service of the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty to discover the source of the evil that plagues the country.
Shizuka Gozen SS2019 render
Shizuka Gozen, the final boss of the game, was a young woman who died some time before the game's events. However, her bitterness and grief over her own death and that of her beloved made her soul unable to move to the afterlife. As a result, she ends corrupted by an evil influence and opens the gate to the Underworld, returning as a vengeful demonic force which spreads chaos and destruction throughout Japan.

Initial Roster[]

Returning Characters[]

Haohmarusamsho2019render
Haohmaru
Chara02
Nakoruru
Chara10
Genjuro Kibagami
Chara09
Charlotte Christine de Colde
Chara04
Galford D. Weller
Chara07
Jubei Yagyu
Chara11
Earthquake
Chara12
Shiki
Chara05
Ukyo Tachibana
Chara13
Yoshitora Tokugawa
Chara03
Hanzo Hattori
Chara06
Kyoshiro Senryo
Chara08
Tam Tam

New Characters[]

Chara14
Yashamaru Kurama (protagonist)
Chara15
Darli Dagger
Wuru
Wu-Ruixiang

Boss[]

Shizuka Gozen SS2019 render
Shizuka Gozen (non-playable)

NPC Character[]

Kurokoss2019new
Kuroko

Original Series DLC Characters[]

Note: Unlike the last two games in the KOF series, the DLC characters have relevance to the game's history (including guests from other companies) and closely matches, if not consistent with the historical timeframe of the series.

Season 1[]

[]

Chara17
Rimururu
Chara18
Basara
Chara19
Kazuki Kazama
Chara20
Wan-Fu

Free DLC Character[]

Chara21
Shizumaru Hisame

Season 2[]

Minass2019
Mina Majikina
Sogetsu ss2019
Sogetsu Kazama
Ssiro
Iroha

Season 3[]

Cham Cham SS2019
Cham Cham
Amakusasamsho2019
Shiro Tokisada Amakusa

Crossover DLC Characters[]

Original SNK Crossover DLC Character[]

Season 3[]

Hibikiss2019
Hibiki Takane (From The Last Blade series {The Last Blade 2})

Crossover Guest DLC Characters[]

Note: All the characters are unavailable in the Netflix version, due to copyright issues.

Season 2[]

[]
Warden samsho
Warden (From Ubisoft's For Honor series)
Free DLC Character[]
Gongsun li
Gongsun Li (From Tencent's Honor of Kings mobile series)

Season 3 (Paid DLC Character)[]

Ss2019baiken
Baiken (From Arc System Works' Guilty Gear series)

Stages[]

Note 1: In Battle Mode, the Boss Stage (Sakura of Shizuka) is available only in the first version. In addition, the Dojo stage is only available in the Battle and Dojo Modes.
Note 2: In Story Mode, the DLC characters are always faced before the first two cutscenes.

Normal Stages[]

Stage
Stage's Name
Related Character
Description
Gairyuss19
Gairyu Isle (A.K.A. Gairyujima) (Daytime), Izu
Haohmaru
The new version of the famous stage, showing the Mount Fuji and the Miyajima Shrine. Bonsais, lamps, a boat, a lighthouse and sharp stones are featured. Stage reminiscent of Samurai Shodown ISamurai Shodown II and Samurai Shodown V Special.
Chara02 stage
Kamui Kotan (Late Autumn), Ezochi
Nakoruru
A forest on an autumn day. Various animals, a waterfall, trees, a bamboo bridge and the village can be seen in the background. Similar to the stage of Samurai Shodown II.
Note: in the update 1.60, the deer present in the stage, which was crouching before, stands.
Chara11 stage
Mikatagahara (A.K.A. Mikatagahara Field), Tōtōmi
Genjuro
The new version of the famous dandelion field on a full moon night with a red sky. Features mountains and dead trees in the background, besides pathways through the field. Stage reminiscent of Samurai Shodown II.
Note: The new name of the stage is a reference to the Battle of Mikatagahara, occured during the Genki era.
Chara07 stage
Minerva no Ma (A.K.A. Hall of Minerva), France
Charlotte
The new version of the salon of the de Colde family. Features a new portrait showing all the original cast in the game (the same showed in the first promotional trailer and excluding the DLC characters), a red carpet, chandeliers and vases with red roses. Stage reminiscent of the two games of the series.
Note: The potrait showed in the stage is illustrated by Eisuke Ogura.
Chara04 stage
Pirate Galleon (A.K.A. Galleon Senjyo or On the Galleon), Pacific Ocean
Galford
The deck of a pirate ship. Other ships appear in the background and the crew can be seen (which reacts when certain fighters win or lose fights, no matter the position, and especially when Galford win or lose fights in this stage), as well as barrels, cannons, woman statues and ropes. Similar to the stages of two games of the series.
Note: When the fight's time is almost over (starting from 10 seconds), the ocean water rises high, scaring the crew.
Chara08 stage
Uduki (A.K.A. Early Summer), Tosa
Jubei
The new version of the open bamboo forest. Features shacks, stones (some with Buddha face) and lamps. Also can be seen a gate in the background and the sun. Stage reminiscent of the two games of the series.
Note: in the Nintendo Switch version, the bamboo trees are static.
Chara05 stage
Gairyu Isle (A.K.A. Gairyujima) (Nighttime), Izu
Ukyo
In this version, the shrine and lamps are multiplied and a shack can be seen. The boat and the lighthouse disappear, and in the left side, can be seen a full moon. Stage reminiscent of Samurai Shodown I, 'Samurai Shodown II and Samurai Shodown V Special.
Chara03 stage
Kumano Kodō, Kishu
Hanzo
The famous pilgrimage route forest next to the Nachi Falls and the Tsugizakura-oji, Chikatsuyu-oji and Hosshinmon-oji shrines, in a cloudy and misty day. The stage is raining lightly. Similar to the stage of Samurai Shodown I.
Note: in the Nintendo Switch version, the rain doesn't fall in this stage, and the mist disappears.
Chara06 stage
Shibaigoya (A.K.A. The Kabuki Stage), Edo
Kyoshiro
The new version of the famous stage which the Kabuki dancer performs his act. Features wooden sakura trees, Kanji signs, painted walls, black flags with horses and an audience watching the fight. Stage reminiscent of the three first games of the series.
Note: the crowd reacts with screams when certain fighters win or lose fights in this stage (and especially when Kyoshiro win or lose fights in this stage).
Chara09 stage
Green Hell, Maya, Mesoamerica
Tam Tam
The new version of the birthplace of the Mayan sacred warrior. The fight takes place on a stone bridge next to the muddy ruins of the Mayan city, with a waterfall in the background, small waterfalls and native vegetation.
Note: in the Nintendo Switch version, a fine mist can be seen in the stage.
Chara10 stage
Rakucyu Sanmonmae (A.K.A. Before the Temple Gate), Kyoto
Yashamaru
The main gate of the Ninna-ji Temple, in Kyoto. Features trees, lamps, mountains, flags, flying birds and the pagoda of the temple, in the background. A small rain of snow falls slowly on the stage, and can be seen an amount in the right side. 
Note: in the Nintendo Switch version, there are fewer birds flying in the background.

Special Stage & Boss Stage[]

Stage
Stage's Name
Related Character
Description
??
Sakura of Shizuka, Eternity
Shizuka
A courtyard of a temple. In the first version, a sakura tree, multiple stairs, corridors and lanterns can be seen. In the second version of the stage, only the sakura tree and the lanterns are featured.
Ss2019dojo
Dojo, Hida, Gifu
Random
A empty dojo with small windows and a samurai sword in the background. Kuroko can be seen judging the matches.
Note 1: This stage is the only one in which Kuroko appears.
Note 2: Amakusa also fights in this stage in Story Mode.

DLC Stages[]

Note: This stages are released only in Season 1.
Stage
Stage's Name
Related Character
Description
Chara12 stage
Kamui Kotan (Late Winter), Ezochi
Rimururu
The same stage as Nakoruru, but in the depths of winter. Leafless trees, snow-covered ground and forest animals can be seen, besides snow falling on the stage. Similar to the stage of Samurai Shodown III.
Note: in the Nintendo Switch version, a mist can be seen in the stage.
Chara20 stage
Nikkō, Shimotsuke, Tochigi
Shizumaru
The Toshogu Shrine, next to the Yomeimon Gate, in the background. Redwood trees feature prominently and dead leaves are strewn about the arena, besides lion statues and some trees in the background. Pigeons flock about the stage floor, which divides into a tiled walkway and dead ground.
Note: This stage is the final resting place of Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder 
of the shogunate that bears his surname.
Chara19 stage
Sumidagawa (A.K.A. Sumida River), Edo
Kazuki
A wooden boat next to the Edo Bay and the Shin-Ohashi bridge, during the annual fireworks celebrations in Edo. Features a rope, lamps and multiple boats, besides fireworks fill the sky.
Note 1: The bridge of the stage also appears in a woodblock print called Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi bridge and Atake.
Note 2: In the Story Mode, the people in the boats react differently when the Kazama brothers fight in the stage: vibrates when Kazuki wins and regrets when he loses, and the contrary occurs when Sogetsu wins (regrets) or loses (vibrates).

Story Mode Stages[]

Some regular characters, in Story Mode, doesn't have an associated stage. Them fight in different places, depending on the character chosen by the player. Unlike them, the DLC characters without an associated stage always fight in the same scenarios. The lists are as follows:

Regular Characters[]

Character
Frequent Stage in Story Mode
Other Stage (s)
Earthquake
Gairyu Isle (Nighttime)
Green Hell & Kumano Kodō
Shiki
Mikatagahara
Kumano Kodō
Yoshitora Togukawa
Rakucyu Sanmonmae
Uduki & Gairyu Isle (Nighttime) [only in Hanzo's Story Mode]
Darli Dagger
Gairyu Isle (Daytime)
Kumano Kodo. Uduki (only in Shizumaru's Story Mode) and Mikatagahara (only in Charlotte, Jubei and Gongsun Li's Story Modes)
Wu-Ruixiang
Uduki
Kamui Kotan (Late Autumn), Green Hell & Kumano Kodō (only in her Fateful Battle vs. Shiki)

DLC Characters[]

Character (s)
Stage
Basara, Mina Majikina & Shiro Tokisada Amakusa
Rakucyu Sanmonmae
Wan-Fu & Iroha
Kamui Kotan (Late Winter)
Sogetsu Kazama
Sumidagawa
Warden
Nikkō
Gongsun Li & Hibiki Takane (Both Versions)
Kamui Kotan (Late Autumn)
Cham Cham
Green Hell
Baiken
Mikatagahara

DLC Character Fateful Battles[]

About the Fateful Battles (always occured in Story Mode and with DLC characters in that case), the rival characters fight in some stages different of his habitual. Below, the list:

DLC Character Chosen in Story Mode
Fateful Battle Rival Character
Stage
Rimururu
Nakoruru
Uduki
Mina Majikina
Nakoruru
Mikatagahara
Iroha
Mina Majikina
Nikkō
Gongsun Li
Nakoruru
Kumano Kodō
Cham Cham
Darli Dagger
Nikkō
Hibiki Takane (Both Versions)
Jubei Yagyu
Sumidagawa
Shiro Tokisada Amakusa
Haohmaru
Rakucyu Sanmonmae
Baiken
Haohmaru
Gairyu Isle (Night)

Development[]

Samurai Shodown was unveiled at the SNK Investor Relations 2018 IPO conference,[4] being developed by SNK. The twelfth main game in the Samurai Shodown series, it is the first mainline entry since 2008's Samurai Shodown Sen.

Nakovsearthss2019

Earthquake on the receiving end of Nakoruru's Lighting Blade move.

The development team consists of members who worked on The King of Fighters XIV and SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy.[5] Nobuyuki Kuroki is the director and one of the artists,[5] while Yasuyuki Oda serves as producer. Kuroki has been previously involved with the series through the Samurai Shodown 64 titles.[6] The internal staff at SNK who worked on the game consisted of 50 to 60 employees, as well as outsourcing some art assets, to form a total of an estimated 200 employees who worked on the game.[7] Some of the reasons for making a new title were the recent focus on the esports community and the many fan requests.[6] The team considered using a realistic art style for the graphics but decided against it because too many fighting games were using it already.[8] Oda has expressed interest in adding guest characters from other video game franchises.[6][8]

Yoshivshanss2019

Yoshitora's special move, done on Hanzo.

Due to outdated graphics involving the releases of The King of Fighters XIV and SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy, SNK chairman Zhihui GE had stated that the future SNK fighting games will use Unreal Engine 4 graphics in order to give a better graphical presentation.[9]

The returning characters Wan-Fu and Shiki were originally meant to be part of initial roster and DLC Season 1 Pass respectively, until the developer decide to switch their roster places in final release, whereas Shiki being put in initial roster and Wan-Fu being put in DLC Season 1 Pass character list.[10]

Critical Reception[]

Samurai Shodown (2019) received mostly positive reviews. About this:

  • Review aggregator website Metacritic provided an average score of 81/100 based on 34 reviews;
Haowfmss2019

Haohmaru, about to apply his Weapon Flipping move on Genjuro.

  • Otherwise, Game Rankings provided a score of 80,71% based on 17 reviews, all of this is indicating a “favorable” critical reception for the game. Reviewers praised graphics, artistic direction, and classic deep weapon-fighting action, while game modes, character number, online, load times, and Story Mode were the most criticized points.
Ss2019haovsgen

Gameplay of Haohmaru vs. Genjuro

  • Ian Walker of Kotaku called Samurai Shodown “slow and deliberate in the best way possible”, feeling that the game’s defensive techniques is where really shines. About the experience: “can be exhausting, even frustrating at times but it’s a truly one-of-a-kind”. Ian notes that the tutorial “leaves a lot to be desired; it teaches the basics, sure, but lacks a real demonstration as to when and where Samurai Shodown’s complicated techniques are best utilized.”
  • Mitchell Saltzman from IGN put Samurai Shodown in “a good balance between approachability and deeper mechanics that helps separate those who just mash special and heavy attacks from those who take the time to learn”, concluding his analysis commenting that Samurai Shodown succeeds as “a fundamentals-driven 2D fighting game”, with a score of 8.2. He claimed that rewards and punishments for battle reads and big mistakes are on another level, adding “there's an extraordinarily tense style of fighting that is unlike just about anything else in the genre”. Mitchell praise the character roster for its wildly differences, each one brimming with personality and ton of interesting small details, but noticing the Story/Arcade Mode as below today’s standards and outdated, also criticizes the long and boring loading screens. Regarding the Dojo Mode Mitchell qualifies it as “not very impressive” because every ghost he played against “essentially just jumped up and down, never approached, and utilized special moves seemingly at random”.
  • About the battle pacing Suriel Vazquez from Game Informer called it “interesting”, writing “it’s often best to wait for your opponent to commit to an unsafe bet and punish them rather than start on offense yourself. But you eventually have to take risks to win”. Describing Online mode “works well for the most part, but has a few weak spots” as 10-player lobbies, no option to invite friends into a lobby, and the online connection as “decent overall, but unreliable”. Suriel also did not like the Dojo Mode because “doesn’t really work”. Like other analysts he felt the one player modes as “serviceable, but uninspired” because “they feel dated compared to just about every other fighting game series’ attempt to keep lone players invested”, advising that Samurai Shodown is better enjoyable with other human players. Game concept, painterly art style graphics, classic Japanese sound, and playability were praised.
  • Eurogamer’s Martin Robinson gave the game a very positive score 4/5 and praising SNK for his return to form into the fighting games. He showed appreciation for the art direction, details, graphics that feels much more coherent and stylish than SNK’s previous effort The King of Fighters XIV, and the combat system where he says “it's the fighting where really shines, delivering a spin on the series that's approachable, deep and full of flair”. Martin thinks Dojo Mode “seem to be capable of putting up a decent approximation of an online fight”. His negative points where the effective but standard Tutorial, skinny Online, and overall scarcity of features, while thinks that roster number “is not as generous with its feature set as it is with its style but they're a distinct bunch complete with some delicious flavors”.
  • From Destructoid Peter Glagowski describes the experience as “very classic arcade”, and notices the not much number of fighters, limited and not very diverse content, and is critical about the launch price of $60 against the overall game content, but he recognizes the game as an “impressive effort with a few noticeable problems holding it back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash”. Peter highlights Samurai Shodown as a mental game where gamers play with each other’s minds instead of characters: “That back and forth where two minds meld and get into the zone, putting their worries aside and building their friendship over a shared experience. That's exactly what the arcade scene was and Samurai Shodown captures that well. Above all, Samurai Shodown proves that SNK still has its fighting spirit.”

Official Trailers[]

Teaser Trailers[]

Initial Roster Trailers[]

Original Series DLC Characters Trailers[]

Season 1[]

Season 2[]

Season 3[]

DLC Crossover Characters Trailers[]

Original SNK Character (Season 3)[]

DLC Guest Characters[]

Season 2[]

Season 3[]

DLC Season Pass Trailers[]

WEB Programs[]

Programs showing the gameplay of some characters of Initial Roster.

DLC Characters Fighting Demonstration Trailers[]

This videos appears only during the DLC Season 3.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. https://rpp.pe/blog/mas-consolas/samurai-shodown-entrevista-a-nobuyuki-kuroki-con-este-juego-quisimos-volver-a-nuestras-raices-noticia-1249977
  2. https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/press/2019/072601/
  3. https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/samurai-shodown-for-pc-launches-this-spring
  4. https://www.destructoid.com/samurai-shodown-is-reportedly-coming-early-2019-for-ps4-pc-xbox-one-and-nintendo-switch-533846.phtml Destructoid: Samurai Shodown is reportedly coming early 2019 for PS4, PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch
  5. 5.0 5.1 http://shoryuken.com/2018/09/13/nobuyuki-kuroki-confirms-that-new-samurai-shodown-is-being-made-by-the-same-team-as-the-king-of-fighters-xiv-and-snk-heroines-tag-team-frenzy/ Shoryuken: Nobuyuki Kuroki confirms that new Samurai Shodown is being made by the same team as The King of Fighters XIV and SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 https://gematsu.com/2019/03/samurai-shodown-launches-for-ps4-and-xbox-one-in-june-switch-in-q4-2019-and-pc-later-44-minutes-of-gameplay-and-staff-interview/ Gematsu: Samurai Shodown launches for PS4 and Xbox One in June, Switch in Q4 2019 and PC later; 44 minutes of gameplay and staff interview
  7. https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/6/21/18700422/samurai-shodown-2019-snk
  8. 8.0 8.1 https://twinfinite.net/2019/03/samurai-shodown-darli-dagger/ Twinfinite: New Samurai Shodown Character Revealed: Darli Dagger; Neogeo Collection Announced
  9. http://gamefocus.co.kr/detail.php?number=88950 SNK 갈지휘 회장 겸 개발총괄 "언리얼 엔진 사용 확대, KOF15도 언리얼로 개발중"
  10. https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2020/aug/25/wan-fu-was-originally-planned-samurai-shodowns-base-roster-was-switched-shiki-when-snk-realized-there-were-too-many-old-bald-men/

External links[]

Samurai Shodown series
Main Games Samurai ShodownSamurai Shodown IISamurai Shodown III: Blades of BloodSamurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's RevengeSamurai Shodown 64Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors RageSamurai Shodown VSamurai Shodown: Warriors RageSamurai Shodown SenSamurai Shodown (2019)
Dream Matches Samurai Shodown V SpecialSamurai Shodown VISamurai Shodown V Perfect
Spin-offs Samurai Shodown RPGNakoruru: Ano Hito kara no OkurimonoSamurai Shodown!Samurai Shodown! 2
Compilations Samurai Shodown Anthology‎Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection
Anime/OVAs Samurai Shodown: The Motion Picture‎Samurai Shodown 2: Asura ZanmadenNakoruru: Ano Hito kara no Okurimono


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