(LAST UPDATE: 7/5/08)
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Developer(s): SNK
Publisher(s): SNK
Platform(s): Neo Geo Pocket
Release: 2000
Characters: Kaede, Moriya, Yuki, Akari, Amano, Shigen, Zantetsu, Washizuka, Rekka, Genbu
Related Games: The Last Blade, The Last Blade 2
Story: Long before humanity existed, in a far off time of myth, death was an unknown, equally distant concept, but when death first came to the world, the "Messenger from Afar" was born. With time, the Sealing Rite was held in order to seal Death behind Hell's Gate. At that time, two worlds, one near and one far, were born. Thus the history of life and death began.
Half a year has passed since Suzaku's madness, and the underworld is still linked by a great portal. Kagami's great sin is still heard as if ringing from the heavens. Our world has been called upon. Legends of long ago told of the sealing of the boundary between the two worlds. The Sealing Rite would be necessary to hold back the spirits of that far away world.
However, the
Sealing Rite brings together the power of the Four Gods and Sealing Maiden,
for the first time properly completing the ritual.To find the Sealing Maiden,
Genbu began searching in the center of the world, from which all things
begin. At the same time in the underworld, in the depths of darkness, many
spirits conspired, plotting to hinder the Sealing Rite. They had but one
wish, to be reborn into our world.
Review: The first
and only handheld version of The Last Blade is found on the Neo Geo
Pocket Color.
The graphics are similar to that of Samurai Shodown 2 for the NGPC, as characters are
drawn in that silly big-headed chibi style... As one might have expected
seeing as every other fighting game to hit the NGPC featured characters with big
heads and tiny bodies. 
The 2D sprites animate fairly well in this version, but of course there's no comparison
when you compare to how they animate regularly, in the original Last
Blade or Last Blade 2.
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It's a much different game on the NGPC and definitely feels watered down. Also, a few characters are unfortunately missing... However, the presentation is well done and pushed the Neo Geo Pocket Color to it's graphical limits. The stage intros are still there, and there's some cool dialogue between characters before the fight, but the gameplay might become a bit bland over time. The game at least has a nice variety of modes, including: Story, Survival, Time Attack, Training, and a few secret modes.
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6.5 / 10 |
Closing Comment:
If ever called yourself a fan of the Last Blade series, you must have played
this game right? It's a great tribute to the series, but as a stand alone
fighting game, it seems lacking. There are some semi-fun combos you can pull off, and
for what was available at the time, it was a cool handheld fighter... And
sadly, one of the last games for the fan-loved Neo Geo Pocket Color. ~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG
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