Samurai Shodown V

UPC: 828862500083

Platform: Xbox

Publisher: SNK Playmore USA

Developer: Signature Devices, Inc.

Category: Fighting

Style(s): 2D Fighting

Synopsis: Samurai Shodown comes to the Xbox in this fifth installment, offering fans a host of new additions while holding fast to its roots. Of the new features, most notable is the inclusion of Xbox Live support, allowing gamers to test their swordsmanship and overall samurai abilities against friends. Players can choose from 26 characters, nine of which make their debut in this installment. Another enhancement is the ability to meditate during battle, which affects the player's stats while slowing down an opponent's attack. In addition, those who prefer bare-knuckles over hardened steel can throw down their weapons and fight unarmed. ~ Damian Francis, All Game Guide

Package Contents: 36-page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

The manual includes profiles and moves charts for all of the characters. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

Stays true to its roots, which will take Xbox players back a generation or two. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

Samurai Shodown V for Xbox is a port of the NeoGeo game released in 2003, but don't let the release date fool you -- it feels like an early-'90s arcade game. Graphics, sound, and gameplay all feel long past their expiration on the Xbox, and gameplay is standard one-on-one 2D fighting. Players battle each other in close quarters, with movement limited to left, right, and jump, and attacks consist of kicking moves and three slashing types -- light, medium, and strong. Although the attacks are listed as "slashing," not all of the characters carry swords; some instead use their fists, and one uses a bow and arrow. A total of 26 characters are available, but after playing a few rounds it becomes evident that a few of them are more powerful than the rest. One character in particular, Sankuro Yorozu, not only does massive damage with his mallet, but he also has a team of friends that interfere with the battle while he eats snacks to regain health. This lack of balance won't hugely impact the offline modes of play, however if you choose to play on Xbox Live, prepare to see the same few characters over and over. Some 2D fighters have a habit of becoming button-mashers, but there is some strategy involved in Samurai Shodown V, since characters aren't so fast that you can use the same attack nonstop. The game has two additional gauges to keep an eye on, as well. The Sword Gauge determines how much damage a single attack will inflict. It acts much like a stamina meter in that the more you attack the more the gauge drops, and it increases when you stop attacking. The other gauge to watch is the Rage Gauge, which increases each time you're hit. Players can activate the Rage Gauge once per match, which will increase the Sword Gauge and allow characters to perform a "Knocking on the Sword Super Attack." Like an arcade game, there are very few game modes, so players will have to rely on multiplayer for any replay factor. With modes as basic as Arcade, Versus, and Practice, and a lack of any graphical upgrades, there just isn't enough here to convince anyone except fans of the series to give this game a try. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

There isn't a lot to do other than playing through Arcade mode and unlocking a few additional characters. If you have Xbox Live then the game's life will be extended slightly. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

The music fits but some of the character-specific sound effects can be very annoying. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

If you like 2D fighters from the '90s then Samurai Shodown V should appeal to you. There are plenty of characters to play as, too. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.