Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge

Overview

Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge (known in Japan as Samurai Spirits: Amakusa's Descent) is the fourth chapter in the legendary weapon-based fighting game saga. The story sees the return of the series' original antagonist, Shiro Tokisada Amakusa, who has once again been resurrected. He has trapped the souls of his fallen foes within a demonic fortress and threatens to plunge the world into despair. The game features a large roster of 17 characters, including two new fighters, Kazuki and Sogetsu Kazama, who are on a mission to stop their renegade sister, Hazuki.

Background

Released by SNK in 1996, Samurai Shodown IV is often seen as the ultimate refinement of the gameplay engine introduced in Samurai Shodown III. While SSIII was a divisive reboot, SSIV took its faster-paced combat and darker tone and polished them to a brilliant shine. It brought back every character from the previous game and reintroduced fan-favorite Jubei Yagyu. With its refined mechanics, larger cast, and incredible presentation, many fans consider Samurai Shodown IV to be one of the best and most complete titles in the entire series.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Samurai Shodown IV builds upon the aggressive foundation of its predecessor. The dual fighting style system, "Slash" and "Bust," returns, giving each character two distinct movesets. The game introduces several major new mechanics that encourage offensive play. A universal "CD Combo" allows every character to perform a quick and powerful attack string. The most significant addition is the "Rage Explosion," a one-time-per-match ability that allows a player to sacrifice their Rage Gauge permanently to enter a powered-up state and push back their opponent. During this state, they can perform a "Fatal Blow," an instant-kill move that can dramatically turn the tide of a match. With the addition of a match timer, the action is faster and more intense than ever before.