Samurai Shodown Critic Reviews

Samurai Shodown is a pristine work of fighting game clarity.

In bringing the series back from the dead to today’s competitive scene, Samurai Shodown not only chooses to honor the series legacy but dares to be old-school. Instead of flashing extra frosting to attract attention, the game trusts that its basic gameplay is enough to keep the players coming back to it. There’s no trendy character customization and all the collectibles are just gallery items, such as sounds, artwork and movies, you unlock by playing, not paying. Samurai Shodown is like a Chinese checkers to more showy and easygoing fighting games out there but not any less engaging. It’s not how fast you can hit but when you hit that matters. Uncompromised and dignified, Samurai Shodown might be a niche title in its genre but it does its own thing and succeeds in it.

Despite some shortcomings, Samurai Shodown doesn't disappoint. Its slow pace belies a depth that rivals any fighting game, while still providing an experience unlike almost any other. If the stunning visuals don’t leave you breathless, then the unrelenting tension felt during combat certainly will.

Samurai Shodown does the near-impossible task of blending old and new into an incredibly fun, solid fighting game package.

Samurai Shodown is one of the best and most unique fighting games this generation, hands down.

If you're a fan of Samurai Shodown, you definitely need to check out this game. Even if you've never played a SamSho before, check out this game. It's easily the most unique fighter out on the market at the moment thanks to the emphasis on precision attacks and punishing the opponent for high damage rather than trying for long combos and guesses with mixups. Samurai Shodown is honestly the best game that SNK has given us in recent years. It's very polished and it looks and sounds fantastic!

Overall, Samurai Shodown has some rough edges to it – but fewer than any entry has had in around 20 years. It’s the best-playing entry in the series since the legendary second installment, and stands out nicely even in today’s crowded field of fighters. Much like it did in the early ’90s, by being different than the pack with its feudal Japanese setting and story, it allows the core game to be different even if the framework is still a single-plane fighter. It’s a must-play for any lapsed fans of the series and will not only rekindle old memories, but forge new ones for all who play it.

Samurai Shodown returns, and it's just as great as it's ever been. Casual fighting game fans will have a hard time adjusting to the mechanics of Shodown. Those who stick with it will find a deep and rewarding fighter that makes every strike and every move as important as the finishing blow.

Dynamic and dangerous, there’s no other fighting game like Samurai Shodown on the market. After a decade away, this latest chapter proves that idea once again with the sharpest swordsmanship combat around that manages to unleash a barrage of modern cuts while still retaining the magic of the original game.

Samurai Shodown is totally unique and different from other actual fighting games. Strategic, dangerous and satisfactory gameplay is its best hallmark.

Featuring an eclectic cast of characters and some over-the-top gore, Samurai Shodown is a wonderful reimagining of the classic fighting series. The strategic gameplay and wonderful balance of risk and reward make this game a fine addition to the current generation of fighting games.

Samurai Shodown is the breath of fresh air the saga has needed. The visual style immediately adds to the atmosphere, helped by an immersive soundtrack and fluid animation. The addition of the dojo and the game's accessibility make you want to dive in and master everything. In terms of gameplay, it's in these games of defence and subtle counter-attack that Samurai Shodown shines. It's not the best game out there, but we highly recommend it to fans who want a different fighting game experience.

If you like hardcore versus fighting or if you're a SNK fan, Samurai Shodown is a no-brainer. The gameplay is the best you can have on the market, and the OST brings us directly to feodal Japan.

One of the more unique entries in the fighting game genre in recent years. It’s flashy, stylish and unique, and it drives home the importance of fighting game fundamentals that will help create the next great FGC legends in the coming years. It’s beautiful story mode and bevy of versus challenges will keep anyone occupied for quite some times, though it’s disappointing tutorial modes can do with a bit of patching in additional lessons in the future.

This is a fantastic fighting game that brings back one of the best SNK franchises. We miss some modes, but the gameplay-wise is flawless.

Bucking the trend of “bigger, badder, louder, faster,” Samurai Shodown is a return to the glory days of SNK’s beloved sword-slashing fighting franchise. The slower, more thoughtful combat style the franchise is known for is on full display here, challenging players not just to be better at fighting games, but also smarter. Wrapped in a beautiful overall package and given some interesting new roster additions, Samurai Shodown is probably the best new chapter we could have ever hoped for.

Despite the limited story and the lack of content, Samurai Shodown is the awaited return of this classic series with its great style and engaging gameplay.

Samurai Showdown is a unique FTG which has few combos. But only using fists and swords is not boring at all. On the contrary, it is fast-paced and fun to play. I am glad that SNK brought this old-school FTG to the current-gen platforms.

Samurai Shodown is a stylish, technical and quirky fighter that easily fits between modern fighters like Tekken and Street Fighter.

Samurai Shodown isn't unnecessarily complex and has enough depth to ensure a fighting game that should appeal to almost everyone. The lack of a good Story Mode should not spoil the fun, because you'll want to play Samurai Shodown for the great multiplayer.