Last Blade & Samurai Shodown

[negative chill]

Was kind of wondering how you guys felt about these two respective series. Personally, I've never really cared for Samurai Showdown (with the exception of 4). Really love Last Blade though, very solid fighter

[fluxcore]

There's an intensity to the deliberate pacing of (most of) the SamSho series that isn't really captured by any others. I can certainly understand why that doesn't appeal to everyone though. Last Blade is a bit more standard in its pacing, which lends it to being more accepted.

I think both series are fantastic.

[Waterfaller]

Last Blade, along with Darkstalkers, I think is sad that they ended. On the other hand, it's good that they haven't been bogged down with sequels up the wazoo.

[A Black Falcon]

There's an intensity to the deliberate pacing of (most of) the SamSho series that isn't really captured by any others. I can certainly understand why that doesn't appeal to everyone though. Last Blade is a bit more standard in its pacing, which lends it to being more accepted.

I think both series are fantastic.

SamSho, slower paced that Last Blade? I don't know about that, both are fairly slow-paced games... The Last Blade is a fairly deliberate game, and isn't fast-paced at all. Also its "reflect" mechanic is quite unique. I've always thought of SamSho as being the more conventional of the two series, and Last Blade the more unique.

Overall though, I definitely prefer Last Blade, Last Blade 2 in specific. It's an amazing, amazing game, and easily my favorite SNK game ever, and one of the best 2d fighting games ever, too. Just near-perfect all around.

As for Samurai Shodown, the fourth one is my favorite as well. I definitely like that game, but the others... they're good, but not quite as good as IV. The game balance and controls are just perfect in that game, and the others aren't quite the same.

[sketch]

Loved the first Samurai Showdown. It was the first weapon-style fighting game I ever played and it gives the game a unique feel. Also, the graphics were great for its time.

Haven't really played any Last Blade games, so can't compare there.

[Guntz]

I haven't played them as much as I'd like to but between the two, I like Last Blade better, for the reasons you guys have stated. LB feels more in keeping with other fighters of the time, thus is more accessible. Samurai Shodown is all about tricking your opponent into making a move and striking with a powerful attack. With the A.I. at least, typical fighters are easier to play by yourself. SS not so much, the computer is very difficult to trick into doing anything. SS is more of a 2 player game, that's where the most enjoyment can be had.

[fluxcore]

SamSho, slower paced that Last Blade? I don't know about that, both are fairly slow-paced games... The Last Blade is a fairly deliberate game, and isn't fast-paced at all. Also its "reflect" mechanic is quite unique. I've always thought of SamSho as being the more conventional of the two series, and Last Blade the more unique.

Watch some tournament footage of Japanese players some time. Last Blade is still pretty in-your-face, whereas Samsho (at least, samshos that aren't 3 or 4) is a lot of sitting back and counter-attacking. They put a suicide move in later ones so that you can kill yourself (for a small advantage next round) because making a comeback against a strong opponent is so grueling.

[negative chill]

Last Blade, along with Darkstalkers, I think is sad that they ended. On the other hand, it's good that they haven't been bogged down with sequels up the wazoo.

True, though I've seen a lot of people say that there should have been a "Last Blade vs Samurai Shodown" game at one point, and I kind of agree

Watch some tournament footage of Japanese players some time. Last Blade is still pretty in-your-face, whereas Samsho (at least, samshos that aren't 3 or 4) is a lot of sitting back and counter-attacking.

The "sitting back and counter-attacking" is way more prevalent in Last Blade than in Samurai Shodown I think because it has a dedicated "parry" button