(LAST UPDATE: 7/5/2009)
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Developer(s): SNK
Publisher(s): SNK
Platform(s): Neo
Geo, Dreamcast, Playstation 2, Windows
Release Date(s): November 25th 1998 (Arcade), January 12th 2006 (PS2)
Characters:
Kaede,
Moriya,
Yuki,
Juzoh,
Akari,
Amano,
Shigen,
Zantetsu,
Mukuro,
Washizuka,
Rekka,
Genbu,
Kojiroh,
Kagami,
Hibiki,
Setsuna,
Kouryu, Musashi
(Dreamcast version exclusive)
Related Games:
The Last Blade, The
Last Blade: Pocket
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: Set one year after the first game, Last Blade 2 adds 3 new characters (Hibiki, Kojiroh, and Setsuna). The presentation included a new intro, artsy new backgrounds, and reworked game balance (which some fans didn't like).
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Graphically, like the first game Last Blade 2 stands out among 2D fighters in the presentation department. The sound effects are fantastic, consisting of clanging swords, steel cutting through flesh, and of course great dialogue and groans from the characters themselves. The stage BGMs are well orchestrated and really do the game the justice it deserves, and every stage begins with an immersive intro.
The gameplay
is still fast and based heavily on chain combos and setting up powerful
attacks. Once again, after choosing a character, players can select a "Speed" or "Power" version of the
character, which greatly chances how a character plays, right down to their
special moves. Speed Mode opens up the door
to more custom combos while Power Mode is a more traditional and straight forward
style of 2D fighting gameplay, and also lets you perform that classic "super
move." The counter/parry system is also back, and more solid than ever!
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8.5 / 10 |
Closing Comment:
Last Blade 2 was a sleeper hit if there ever was one... The characters were
a bit more fleshed out this time around, but the gameplay, as technical as it
is, still leaves something to be desired. Honestly, as a Samurai Shodown fan,
I'm always comparing this game to Samurai Shodown... As a matter of fact, every
time I play it I usually say something like "I wish I could pick
Genjuro." or "Damn, why can't I kill my opponent." 
Yep, I prefer the later of the Samurai Shodown series very much
over this game; though it is a nice alternative and a good game in it's own
right... Any 2D fighting game fan should give this one a try, it's likely one of
the most overlooked SNK games. ~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG
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