(LAST UPDATE: 2/11/10)
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Developer(s): K2 LLC
Publisher(s): SNK Playmore, Rising Star (PAL), Ignition Entertainment (US)
Platform(s): Arcade, Xbox 360
Release: April 2008 (JP Arcade), Spring 2010 (NA/PAL 360)
Characters: Haohmaru, Ukyo, Hanzo, Nakoruru, Genjuro, Jubei, Kyoshiro, Sogetsu, Kazuki, Gen-An, Charlotte, Galford, Wan Fu, Garos, Kim Hye-Ren, J, Angelica, Vielter, Black Hawk, Sugamata Jinbei, Takechiyo, Suzuhime, Draco, Golba
Related Games: Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown 2, Samurai Shodown 3, Samurai Shodown 4, Samurai Shodown 5, Samurai Shodown 5 Special, Samurai Shodown 6, Samurai Shodown 64, Samurai Shodown 64 - 2, Samurai Shodown Pocket, Samurai Shodown 2 Pocket, Samurai Shodown Warrior's Rage, Samurai Shodown Anthology
General: Known as
Samurai Spirits Sen/Flash in Japan, this 3D incarnation of the Samurai
Shodown series runs on the Taito Type X2 arcade system, and is a long
awaited "next
gen" sequel to the
Samurai Shodown franchise. Edge of Destiny
takes the series away from it's 2D roots (for the second time), as SNK
tries it's hand at a 3D fighting game once again (scary thought?). 
The
first time the Samurai Shodown series went 3D (with SS64
and SS64 2), it received mixed (mostly bad) reviews;
and for the most part, Edge of Destiny has brought a similar
result. *sigh*
SNK was never very good at 3D fighting games, but hopefully Edge of Destiny won't
be a total upset. The game
runs at an impressive resolution and graphically looks pretty slick (especially
when judging from screenshots), but the game in motion is another story... The
gameplay and animation is a bit clunky to say the least. 
The art's pretty good at least!
Edge of
Destiny features a whooping 11 brand new fighters, and 13 returning classics to
make up the hearty roster. The new combat system allows for air combos
and sidestepping, which is slightly unfamiliar to the roots of the series; but
offers unique gameplay.
The control scheme remains a 4 button layout, with the ability to perform
special commands by pressing two or three buttons at once. The button commands
are as follows: A: horizontal slash, B: vertical slash, C: kick, R: grab
& special maneuvers, A+B: strong horizontal slash, B+C: strong vertical
slash, A+B+C: Unblockable charged slash, Forward x 2: step in, Forward
x 2 (hold): dash, Back x 2: back step, hold up: jump, hold down: crouch,
neutral up: side step up, neutral down: side step down, Back R: deflect
(upper), Back down R: deflect (lower).
POW meter
makes it's return and builds up after your character takes damage, as usual.
There are supposedly no fireballs in the game, and moves that used to travel
across the whole screen are now short ranged attacks. Deaths also make their
return and
are actually very graphic & gruesome... Heads and limbs will fly off at the
end of the battle if a perfect is scored, leaving your favorite Samurai
Shodown characters a bloody mess and/or groveling in pain... Shock value
anyone??? Personally, I feel it's a bad move for the series... but
it may appeal to some (just not us hardcore fans that don't want to see our
favorite characters in such agony).
The home version will include Arcade, Versus, Survival, Practice, and Online
battle modes!
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Closing Comment:
At last, a true next gen sequel to
the Samurai Shodown franchise...
and it's about
time, but I think 95% of the series' fans would rather play a next gen 2D game,
rather than a 3D one. :( It's
definitely cool seeing our favorite characters re-done in 3D and given such a "realistic" makeover, but
unfortunately the animation just isn't on par with the top 3D fighting games on the market... I hate to compare (no I don't) but
*ehem* Soul
Calibur anyone? The gameplay seems slightly innovative but also looks a bit slow and
clunky (which is what many players overseas have said), but I'm not
going to fully judge it before I play it. I'm just not all that excited for some
reason... and for being a big Samurai Shodown fan, I think I should be. 
Tekken-style air combos and
sidestepping? That's just not Samurai Shodown. It'll at least be a
brand new game, that's for sure.
I'm
glad there will be blood and deaths this time around, but the fatalities
are a bit 'over-done' and slightly disturbing considering the franchise's
history. The "graphic" deaths don't
really suit the series in my opinion, and that's coming from a fan since
Samurai
Shodown. Ohh, and NO PETS... 
No
dogs & birds?!? Booooooo!
I look forward to trying this game out, but I'm still having some unsettling flashbacks of
Maximum Impact. 
~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG
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