Samurai Shodown IV
Encyclopedia
Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge, known as in Japan, is the fourth in SNK
's flagship Samurai Shodown
series of fighting games. Chronologically, is the second and final chapter of an interquel between Samurai Shodown
and Samurai Shodown II
, Samurai Shodown III
being the first chapter.
The most obvious change is visual, with dramatically adjusted color palettes
for the individual characters, generally brightening them up and reducing contrast, in the attempt to make the game more cartoon
ish. Aerial blocking was removed entirely, and the switcharound move, which enabled a player to shift quickly behind the other's back, as well as the dodge (Evade; side-step), in which the move virtually brings a semi-3D environment to the defense in attempt to use each sword more effectively.
Following the same philosophy, some of the older characters were restored, such as Charlotte, Tam Tam and Jubei Yagyu. The entire cast of the previous game also returns, though some have been retouched to further enhance the cartoonish look.
Joining the cast were the two ninja
brothers:
Overall, the game plays not terribly unlike SS3, but the feel is considerably different. Control has been loosened and more accurately modified, controller motions have been improved, overall damage has been reduced and one can no longer charge his/her own POW gauge. The off-screen delivery man was omitted entirely from the game. The biggest addition is probably the "CD Combo," wherein a player can press the C and D buttons together, triggering a strike that can be followed up by a sequence of button taps. The single-player mode now has a timer, as well. Only by reaching the final boss within a specified time limit can one see a character's ending.
In a slightly paradoxical move when compared to the brighter aesthetic, SNK also added in a "suicide" move (known in English-speaking fan circles as the "Honorable Death"), wherein one's character sacrifices his/her own life, thus forfeiting the round. The bonus to this is that the one committing suicide will start the next round with a full POW gauge. Certain finishes will also enable a "fatality" move in the vein of Mortal Kombat. This feature has been much-debated for its violent nature.
and Hanzo.
Common complaints include:
In spite of this, it is still well-regarded, and debate over its quality continues in fan circles to this day.
SNK Playmore
SNK Playmore Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. SNK is an acronym of , which was SNK's original name. The company's legal and trading name became SNK in 1986....
's flagship Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown series
Samurai Shodown is the name of a fighting game series by SNK.Despite the name of the series, most of the characters are not samurai in the true sense of the word...
series of fighting games. Chronologically, is the second and final chapter of an interquel between Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown, known as in Japan, is a competitive fighting game produced by SNK for their Neo Geo arcade and home platform. In contrast to other fighting games at the time which were set in modern times and focused primarily on hand-to-hand combat, Samurai Shodown is set in feudal-era Japan ...
and Samurai Shodown II
Samurai Shodown II
, is the second game in SNK's popular Samurai Shodown series of versus fighting games. This game has been released on the Wii's Virtual Console in Europe on August 8, 2008 and in North America on August 25, 2008 at a cost of 900 Wii Points...
, Samurai Shodown III
Samurai Shodown III
Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood, known as in Japan and Fighters Swords in Korea, is the third game in SNK's popular Samurai Shodown series of fighting games for the Neo Geo...
being the first chapter.
Gameplay
After Samurai Shodown III was received more or less poorly by the fighting game community, SNK again went back to address the complaints, and tried to deliver a followup that would hopefully regain some of the magic that had made Samurai Shodown II such a hit.The most obvious change is visual, with dramatically adjusted color palettes
Palette (computing)
In computer graphics, a palette is either a given, finite set of colors for the management of digital images , or a small on-screen graphical element for choosing from a limited set of choices, not necessarily colors .Depending on the context In computer graphics, a palette is either a given,...
for the individual characters, generally brightening them up and reducing contrast, in the attempt to make the game more cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
ish. Aerial blocking was removed entirely, and the switcharound move, which enabled a player to shift quickly behind the other's back, as well as the dodge (Evade; side-step), in which the move virtually brings a semi-3D environment to the defense in attempt to use each sword more effectively.
Following the same philosophy, some of the older characters were restored, such as Charlotte, Tam Tam and Jubei Yagyu. The entire cast of the previous game also returns, though some have been retouched to further enhance the cartoonish look.
Joining the cast were the two ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
brothers:
- Kazuki Kazama - member of the KazamaKazama-Real people:*Kensuke Kazama, photographer*Shinjiro Kazama, linguist*Shunsuke Kazama, actor*Yasuyuki Kazama, driver*Yūto Kazama, voice actor*Zero Kazama, gameshow host-Fictional characters:*Asuka Kazama, Tekken character...
ninja clan specializing in fire jutsuJutsu—meaning technique, method, spell, skill or trick—is a bound morpheme of the Sino-Japanese lexical stratum of the Japanese language.* Jutsu * Martial arts * Bajutsu...
, he deserts to rescue his younger sister, Hazuki, from Amakusa's clutches. - Sogetsu Kazama - older brother to Kazuki and Hazuki who uses water jutsu; unlike Kazuki, he stays with the clan and is ordered to assassinate his brother for leaving.
Overall, the game plays not terribly unlike SS3, but the feel is considerably different. Control has been loosened and more accurately modified, controller motions have been improved, overall damage has been reduced and one can no longer charge his/her own POW gauge. The off-screen delivery man was omitted entirely from the game. The biggest addition is probably the "CD Combo," wherein a player can press the C and D buttons together, triggering a strike that can be followed up by a sequence of button taps. The single-player mode now has a timer, as well. Only by reaching the final boss within a specified time limit can one see a character's ending.
In a slightly paradoxical move when compared to the brighter aesthetic, SNK also added in a "suicide" move (known in English-speaking fan circles as the "Honorable Death"), wherein one's character sacrifices his/her own life, thus forfeiting the round. The bonus to this is that the one committing suicide will start the next round with a full POW gauge. Certain finishes will also enable a "fatality" move in the vein of Mortal Kombat. This feature has been much-debated for its violent nature.
Reception
By and large, the game was regarded as an improvement from the obviously-rushed SS3, though it has its share of detractors. Though the game is better balanced, the flow of it is still often regarded as lopsided for some characters, such as Nakoruru, GalfordGalford
Galford can refer to:* Galford, a place near Lewdown in Devon, England, the site of a battle between Cornish and Devonian forces in the early 9th century...
and Hanzo.
Common complaints include:
- There are animation cuts from the previous game (which can be also found in SS5SP.)
- The Upper Grade mode was almost as useless as the Beginner Grade mode was abusive for some characters.
- The lack of individual music themes for each character.
- Many moves from SS3 were inexplicably removed.
- For the first time in the series, the sprites were not redrawn from one game to the next.
In spite of this, it is still well-regarded, and debate over its quality continues in fan circles to this day.
External links
- SIHON 侍魂WebRing, SS Fan Sites Search Engine (Tokyo, Japan)
- Samurai Web, News & Archives (Tokyo, Japan)
- Samurai Shodown IV review at Neo-Geo.com