The Samurai Shodown series has come a long way. Receiving a lot of games for every major platform and arcades since the NEO Geo was introduced. It was fun back then playing these kind of fighting games in the arcade but now that we’re in the generation of HD, it might not work that well. Samurai Shodown SEN for the Xbox 360 is the latest Samurai Shodown game in an attempt to invade the next-generation consoles.
With 3D and high definition graphics, is Samurai Shodown SEN a worthy fighting game this generation? We’ve played a lot of fighting games recently and for the start of this review, Samurai Shodown SEN is the weakest link in the genre for this generation. Let’s take a look on the HOTs and NOTs of the game:
HOT
Japanese Voiceovers
As in every fighting game released recently, the voice-overs in Samurai Shodown SEN is Japanese. I am happy on this decision as it feels more right rather than the mediocre English dub. As for the story-mode in, you will get to hear their story in a Japanese narrated voice but there will be English subtitles you will get to read.
Classic Character Art
When you are choosing characters, you will get to see the phenomenal character art for each of them. They’re done in pastel-like painting and it reminds me of the classic games that I’ve played in the past. The characters in the game have mixed background history that resembles through their clothing such as the Feudal Japan. As what the title of the game game implies, you will be seeing a lot of Samurais.
NOT
Online Feature
I’ve originally received Samurai Shodown SEN to review a week before it’s release. Since then, I decided to hold off the review since I don’t want to review the game without touching all of the stuff; mainly the online. Giving myself four days after its official release; I still find it odd that there’s no people to play with. I’ve kept trying in different times and yet, no luck. To test it, I’ve played with a fellow reviewer and the online feature is similar to what ever fighting game has. Nothing new to impress us. Good luck finding someone to play with!
Mediocre Presentation
If If I were to compare Samurai Shodown to other fighters that are out right now, I would say that when it comes to the graphics, this is the worst I’ve seen. It is true that the game is done for the 360 to be in HD but playing on a 1080p display, it looks more befitting to appear on the PS2. The character models are in 3D but the way they were drawn out doesn’t live up to my expectation. The movements and attack execution seems very limited and feels something is missing. Everything looks very last-generation.
Simple Fighting Mechanics
There is no effort that is needed to play Samurai Shodown SEN. Vertical Slash, Horizontal Slash, Kick, and Special/Throw are the four things that you would need to remember. You can combine it to produce an attack that will deal devastating damage. It sure sounds easy but as you keep on playing the game, you would notice that each characters in the game has only limited attacks that can be done compared to other fighting games out there.
Same Old Game Modes
Samurai Shodown SEN lives up to its classic roots. The modes that can be played in this game; Story mode, Survival mode, training, and online. I know these modes doesn’t need any explanation at all since they’re all very straightforward. The story mode of the game will have a unique narration for each characters but the ending will be the same. However, when you play the story mode, you won’t feel any different when fighting a regular Versus match; because you won’t feel any story behind the characters.
VERDICT
Samurai Shodown SEN is a title that should have just been on the arcade. Its attempt to invade the HD consoles has failed miserably. It is not as good as to any fighting games that are currently out right now. Just playing the game for the first time, I already felt the experience that I’m going to get – a mediocre fighting game. It would be better if SNK Playmore sticks to 2D as its attempt to bring the game into 3D is a bad way to start it off.
