(LAST UPDATE: 7/13/09)
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Developer(s): Yuki Enterprise
Publisher(s): SNK Playmore
Platform(s): Neo
Geo, PS2, PSP, Wii, Xbox
Release: December 11th, 2003
Characters:
Haohmaru,
Ukyo,
Hanzo,
Nakoruru,
Genjuro,
Kyoshiro,
Shizumaru,
Gaira,
Rimururu,
Basara,
Sogetsu,
Kazuki,
Tam
Tam, Charlotte, Galford,
Poppie, Jubei,
Rera,
Rasetsumaru,
Suija,
Enja,
Yoshitora
Tokugawa, Kusaregedo,
Mina
Majikina, Yumeji, Sankuro,
Yunfei,
Gaoh
Related Games:
Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown
2, Samurai Shodown 3, Samurai
Shodown 4, 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: Edge of Destiny, Samurai
Shodown Anthology
Review: The groundbreaking Samurai Shodown series has always been what you'd call a "sleeper" hit... It's not usually found in the headlines, but people who can actually say they play it, are most likely fans for life. The long awaited Samurai Shodown 5, doesn't look entirely different from it's predecessors, but it does boast the highest number of warriors in the series to date. Unlike the "serious" tone that SS3 and SS4 had, Samurai Shodown 5 seems to be set in the "fantasy" realm, as some of the characters aren't exactly what you'd call "samurai-ish." In my opinion, a fan of every installment since the first Samurai Shodown, some of the new characters pollute the roots of the series and just don't seem to fit in... But I can keep an open mind.
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Samurai Shodown 5, still plays
very similar to SS3 and SS4...
Which isn't a bad thing, but does it earn the right to be called Samurai
Shodown 5 for only a few gameplay tweaks, and a few new characters? (This is starting
to feel like KOF, or dare I say it: the
old
SF 2 days). It really is more of the same, and in some cases feels
on the rushed side as
well. The presentation certainly can't match up to that of the earlier
incarnations, such as the epic Samurai Shodown 2, but
it's not too bad. 
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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 fit, like the big (and quite disturbing) pot-bellied
demon, Kusaregedo... You F*ing crazy designers! Yikes!!! There are also
too many different "versions" of characters playable, and it's starting
to get ridiculous. It's starting to feel like "this clone VS that clone"...
There are basically 2 Nakorurus, 2 Haohmarus, 2 Kazukis, 2 Sogetsus, (And
2 Ukyos and 2 Genjuros if you count the sub-boss sprite edits)... Damn
lazy Capcom designers, you influenced the SNK designers to become lazy! 
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Yeah, SS5
is still fun to play. Unfortunately, the "Slash" and "Bust" option from SS3
& SS4 (having two versions
/ move-sets for each character), was taken out... Booooooo SNK, Boooooo... 
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. Unforgivable... SNK seldom dissapoints
me, but they did this time.
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Graphically, SS5 looks good but dated since all of the same sprites and animations are back from SS3 and SS4. The backgrounds are completely new at least, colorful and nicely done for the most part (just scroll down to see some of them). The animation is smooth as a whole, and all characters look great in motion (except for that fat, stupid Kusaregedo). One of the best things about this game is probably the soundtrack, which is all ear candy. All in all, not a complete disappointment, but a disappointment none the less to us long-time fans.
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8 / 10 |
Closing Comment:
Samurai Shodown 5 isn't a bad game, but compared to the prequels it's lacking in
many ways... There's something about it I like... Maybe it's the backgrounds. 
~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG
