Racketboy

I must admit it is nice to see a steady stream of 2D fighters coming to modern consoles. However, I wish that the newer games would keep the genre exciting. While it is definately not a poor game, Samurai Shodown V (aka Samurai Spirits Zero) is not what it could be and seems to add to the decline of 2D fighters.

SSV still has that SNK charm, but in part 5, the Slash/Bust varieties of gameplay that the previous games had has been merged together which results in a simpler, yet watered-down gameplay. The one major redeeming factor of this XBox version is that it offers full online competition via XBox Live. This at least gets you closer to that full arcade atmosphere.

It is cool to see SNK publish some fighters other than the King of Fighters series. (I’m actually surprised they haven’t brought Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves to the XBox). The XBox version is also reasonably priced at $30 (and will most likely be marked down to $20 in a few months), so it isn’t too much of a risk to pick up. If you are a fighter fan with an XBox Live account or just an SNK nut, you just might want to pick this one up. Otherise, you might want to look elsewhere for your fighting fix.

Review Tidbits:
“The gameplay over Xbox Live seems to be working fine. You’re able to set match parameters when creating a match, and in a nice touch, when finding games through the quick-match feature, you’re prompted to accept the opponent’s conditions (for example, if you don’t want to play a five-round match, you could opt out). Like other recent online-enabled SNK fighting games, this one will also let players set up their own tournaments for hardcore online competition.”
Gamespot

The American version has no story and no intermissions, which definitely diminishes the spirits of long time fans (and doesn’t explain Haohmaru’s evil twin, Rasetsumaru). Some of the new characters are well designed, but a few of them just don’t belong, like the big (and quite disturbing) pot-bellied demon, Kusaregedou… Anyways, SS5 is still fun to play in a sense. It “somewhat” takes the place of Samurai Shodown 3 and 4, for those of us who still play those games. Although many of us miss the “Slash” and “Bust” option featured in SS4 (having two versions / move-sets for each character), a good feature, which was taken out for space I suppose… But the worst thing is, “Deaths” were taken out of the game completely. The stylish ending of a bloody duel that the Samurai Shodown series was known for, was taken out.”
Fighters Generation (PS2)

“SS5 greatly pleased me with its general look and feel and a fighting system I’m more adept at using. I can see how many of the hardcore fans will be turned away by the lack of preservation in graphics from the previous games but if you overlook those small eye sores it gives you something you’re liable to play for a good while along with the other SS games.”
Neo-Geo For Life

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SNK, XBox, fighters