Last Blade

Game by SNK

Reviewed by JR

jbr23@drexel.edu

Size: 32 Megabits

Save: Built-in memory (I think)

Released: 2000

Works with: NGPC

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Opening Snide Remarks: You would not believe what I had to go through to get 

this game.  After SNK closed its doors in the US and Europe (I blame

Pokemon, for what it's worth *See editor's note*), I had to go to Ebay to

find a copy.  I got the Japanese version.



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Gameplay Descripion: The gameplay is simple; tapping/pressing A and moving

the directional pad slashes (weapon attack), B kicks in neutral, parries when

you hit towards+B, and throws with back+B (up close). Doubletap toward and 

then hit B to get an unblockable attack (Power mode) or an overhead

(Speed/EX mode)



 Each character has Power and Speed mode, which affects various attributes 

(Power does more damage, has an unblockable, SDMs and super cancel, while 

Speed has chain combos, a "combo special," an overhead, and 2-in-1s.)  EX

mode has the SDMs, cancels, chain combos, combo special, overheads, and 

increased damage done to you.



Liked: Three modes for each character (EX is secret), while not as different

as Slash/Bust in the Samurai Shodown series, provide certain strategic 

differences.



Hated: Not much, but the system took a bit of time to get used to (I 

had to find out some of the stuff on my own :P).



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Graphics Description: Par for the course for the NGPC: black, white, and 

another color, head that's 1/3 the total body height, but amazing detail.  

Gaisei (final LB2 boss) has his four orbs intro, and just like in the arcade, 

he has no crouch animation! :P



Liked: Detail, SD style.  What?  It's cute.  Maybe Akemi-cute ;), but 

I've never seen Akemi, so I can't tell. (Editor's addition: Oh, Akemi is

definately cuter. ;P)



Hated: The color scheme.



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Sound/Music Description: Typical beeps and bloops, but it still sounds 

pretty cool.  It seems to reek of that thing we call effort.



Liked: Exotic beep music ;)



Hated: nothing



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Play Control/Game Design: All the controls work as they should.  That's 

all I can say.



Liked: Everything.



Hated: Nothing



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Improve: I would put in more characters from the series (Juzoh, Mukuro, 

Musashi, etc.)



RIYL: Samurai Shodown! 2 for NGPC or Samurai Shodown 1 for Game Boy.

(Editor Addition: Not to mention Samurai Shodown! 2, and 3 for GB!)



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Final Words: If SNK hadn't decided to pull out of the US and Euro markets, 

games like this would have at least ensured its continued viability.  I will 

never understand why they chose to do what they did, but I will still do what 

I can to get their games, as they rock. :)  Also, imagine the possibilities 

for boardwalk T-shirt vendors with Amano, who drinks AND smokes (He's like a 

Japanese Sandman), and Kaede, who has what looks vaguely like a pot leaf on 

the back of his shirt.  They do that stuff all the time, do the vendors. ;)



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Score

Gameplay: *****

Graphics: ****1/2

Sound/Music: *****

Play Control/Game Design: *****

Personal Opinion: *****

Total: 24.5 stars (if not for the 3-color design, it would have been 

cool).





Final Score: 99%



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Currently Known Codes: Nope.



Editor's Note: I blame SNK of Japan. For not getting SNK USA/Europe the $$$$

support it needed. Or maybe it could have been that SNK didn't order enough

beanies for E3 and started handing out bad styrofoam blocks?