April 6th 2024.
In the world of video games, it's become the norm for new releases to come with season passes and downloadable content. This means that when a game is initially reviewed, it only reflects the state of the game at launch. But what happens when a game undergoes significant changes and improvements post-launch? This is the case with SNK's fighting game Samurai Shodown, which has seen a lot of changes in the last five years since its release.
When Samurai Shodown first came out in 2019, it was a solid game but lacked content. This was reflected in its review scores, which may have given a false impression of the game. As time went on, the game received updates, tweaks, and add-ons, making it a much more polished and enjoyable experience. The lack of content on day one was no longer an issue, and the game even received enhanced versions for next-gen consoles like the Xbox Series X, running at a smooth 120 frames per second.
One of the unique aspects of Samurai Shodown is its Japanese roots, evident in the game's language and style. Even with English subtitles, all the spoken dialogue is in Japanese, adding to the authentic experience. And speaking of authenticity, the game's combat system is unlike any other fighting game. Rather than relying on complex combo strings, Samurai Shodown focuses on deliberate weapon hits to do massive damage. This means that even a single well-timed strike can turn the tide of a battle.
At launch, the game had a roster of 16 characters, which may seem low compared to other fighting games. However, in the last five years, the roster has almost doubled in size, with 14 additional characters added through season passes. This not only adds more variety and depth to the game but also addresses one of the cons mentioned in its original review. Each character is unique and of high quality, with no unnecessary filler or bloat. And the character designs and animations are top-notch as well.
The season pass characters are not just there to boost the numbers; they are essential to the game's final form. They have turned a good game into a great one, and for some, the game now deserves a higher score than its initial 8/10. These characters include Basara, Kazuki Kazama, Rimururu, Shizumaru Hisame, Wan-Fu, Gongsung Li, Iroha, Mina Majikina, Sogetsu Kazama, Warden, Baiken, Cham Cham, Hibiki Takane, and Amakusa. These new characters not only add to the roster but also showcase the many characters that were missing from the game at launch.
If you're a fan of fighting games and looking for something unique and different, then Samurai Shodown is definitely worth a try. Its tactical combat and diverse roster of characters make it stand out among other fighting games. And as someone who has been a fighting game fan for a long time, I can confidently say that this game gets my seal of approval. It's a testament to the fact that games can evolve and improve over time, and we shouldn't solely rely on review scores from launch day.
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