Samurai Shodown is a bit of a reboot, a sort of sequel to the well-known SNK series, which wants to shoot again among the elite of the genre in the 1990s, but since then virtual fighters across platforms have spilled a lot of pixel blood and other body fluids. So even though the series has been around for 26 years and this is the twelfth part, for many it will be the first introduction to this brand. After all, an incredible 10 years have passed since the release of the last game, and it was just an anthology that offered the first six games in a series in one compilation. Before the release of the new game, it was questionable how the authors cope with such a big gap.

As you probably read from the title itself, Samurai Shodown has a theme, fighting style and period sessions clearly given. All this translates into her story, which will take us to the historic Tenmei era of Japan, namely to 1787. It takes place before the fifth part, but also because it already has its age, it does not make much sense to the overall story series load. Although the characters have brought with them some references from their past relationships, their knowledge is not acutely needed for you to enjoy the game. It is still a partial reboot, so rivalry is great for hacking between characters before the game, but it can end there and you will have no worse experience.

The story mode of the game introduces you to a world that slowly sinks into mysterious darkness. Fires, hunger, and many other disasters plague the whole of Japan, and instead of the rising sun, there is now a dark cloud over the country that brings only destruction. It is obvious that some hidden evil force threatens the whole country. Fighters from Japan and from behind the sea come here to face this evil. Everyone has their reasons for this and also has their goals, whether good or bad. I mean, a genre classic we've had many times before.

And that's a shame. Fighting games have shown us in recent years that they can offer really catchy and well-written stories. Add to that the high production values ​​and decent acting performance, some stories in fighters can really appeal. But this is definitely not the case, and one of the reasons is that Samurai Shodown doesn't actually have a proper story mode. It is a classic little inflated Arcade, which is started by a simple screen about the entry of your current character into the storyline. Then there are unique cut scenes, you face the final boss (which is in traditional SNK style from a completely different dimension of difficulty), conquer it and it is over. You can go with the next character exactly the same, but you won't find much difference.

This is a bit disappointing, but from the general perspective you will not be shortened because there is quite a lot of it, even in the single player area. In order to get into the game and its systems at all, there must be no training mode or tutorials that will gradually guide you from simple strikes to the most complicated attacks. Then of course there are fast battles against the CPU, but Battle mode always works better if you invite someone next to you on the couch and give it a good eye-to-eye. However, this does not stop there and it becomes more interesting.

In single player modes you will also find Time Trial, a time trial in which you fight against a series of enemies and only time limits you. Each victory adds a few seconds to the good and you try to achieve the highest score. The score is also in Survival mode, which is similar, but you only regenerate a smaller portion of life between fights. So if you hit multiple shots in one fight, you start in a worse state in the next. And finally there is Gauntlet, who will put you against every character in the game. Of course, not only your records and spreadsheets are missing, but you also play to unlock videos, artwork and songs that help the game add value.

The online section of the game is inconsistent. There is something very fresh and pleasant, but there are also disappointments. SNK really tried the game and can not deny them, just in the online part of the sleep and are found a few years ago. The online is thus quite truncated and although in ranked battles, for example, will be pleased to change characters in rematch, lobby and other options are quite austere. But at least it works well if you don't play against someone from the other end of the world.

Something fresh is the Ghost Fights mode. It's actually an asynchronous online multiplayer, imagine it as a Foriv drivatars system. There, AI learns to drive based on data collected from players online and translates it into your game. This is also the case when each player creates their Ghosts - each for each character they play with. You can play against your own Ghosts, but especially you can play against other players' Ghosts. It is certainly a pleasant refreshment in this genre, although time will tell how it will work. AI needs a lot of data from players to make it happen. So far there are some features, others not. For example, I played characters against Ghost, with whom I had nearly 80 matches. He jumped more than what I did with her. At the same time, he did not use one attack, which was relatively easy to spam with it, and I also used it often.

Samurai Shodown offers a total of 16 playable characters. Several others are on the way in the form of DLC and the boss of the game is not playable. Old friends come back, especially Haohmar, Hanzo Hattori, Jubei and others. In addition, three newcomers were added: Yashamaru Kurama, Darli Dagger and Wu-Ruixiang. Each character has its own style and several color variations right in the base. 16 is not a little, but today's standard is a bit richer. However, variability is sufficient.

And even though the characters have their own style, faster, slower, stronger, they all have in common that their struggle is based on cutting weapons. As these are mainly samurai, so they are mostly katanas, but there is also a cord and other similar weapons. This differs from the competition, but it is also significantly different from the SoulCalibur series, which is also based on weapons. You have three basic weapon attacks - light, medium and heavy. Their range can be quite far, but add kicks and blocking. This is the basis on which everything else, that is, all combinations, all special attacks, but also various defensive techniques.

SNK in the case of Samurai Shodown bet on a unique combat system, which is difficult to compare with competitors. It is a 2D fighter, and you often use quadrilaterals, semicircles, and other shapes in the Street Fighter series, but the game is different from it. It is slower, more defensive and definitely more tactical. Rather, it is about waiting for you to open the gap in your opponent's defense and use it correctly. You must be able to read your opponent, you must also control the range of weapons and the limits of attacks. If the gap in the defense is small, you will not use a heavy attack that is strong, but it takes a long time to get away with the sword from behind your back, and your opponent will be able to resist it more easily. Of course, the game is based on kendo, but there is also a fair portion of the creativity of the developers themselves. The result is fights that are well looked at and played well.

It is not just about tactical sword fighting, slower pace and timing. Combs are not missing, but in tens you do not count so often. There are various techniques to disarm the enemy, which belong to the more demanding. You must be able to fight without a weapon, or get it back as soon as possible. But then there are Special Attacks and Super Special Attacks, which are also more complex, need to be timed correctly, but the result is worth it. Then there's the Lightning Blade technique. During the game you are fulfilling Rage indicator and you can activate Rage Explosion. The time stops and you have the opportunity to strike one strong blow with a great effect. Although it can be avoided, but if you hit correctly, the opponent can lose up to half the life. However, it also depends on the remaining energy.

Moreover, the dueling system is not only entertaining and well elaborated, but also pretty bloody. You are fighting swords, so it is logical that at the end of the battle characters are all bloody, spraying blood, or end up chopped in two halves. However, the game also looks very good. It's 2D, but it offers 3D models and stylized graphics to look at very well, but you can judge for yourself from the images around. But you can't judge the sound anymore. The music is quite simple, but it doesn't offend you. The whole dubbing is only in Japanese, so the game is localized in the form of subtitles. But it is all the better, as the actors are better placed in the characters and it fits the movements of the lips.

SNK have taken the lead and in the form of Samurai Shodown brought a quality fighting game, which was not on the market and maybe even missing. It is about pace, stronger defense and reading opponents, while combos are in the background. It plays really well and it is played differently. In addition, the game looks good and brought some interesting news. Problems? They are here. For example, 16 characters are not enough today. Also, story mode would deserve more love because this simple style was fashionable 20 years ago. Also online has remained a bit stuck in the past. But are these things that should stop you from reaching for the game? I do not think so. Worst of all, wait for some action.