"The Last Blade (1 of 2)"

The Last Blade was one of the best, but yet underrated fighting games SNK has ever brought out of production. This game features various samurais, a couple of stick-wielding people, a crazy psychopath, and other unique characters. Plus, it's animation violence is pretty high. Sounds like a really gory game...just what most gamers like.

I haven't really figured out the story to this game, but I'll try. This one dude dies and three of the characters are out for revenge. Along, the way the soon to be boss attempts to open up Hell's Gate to destroy the world! When you kiss his butt, the gate will close and everything will become normal. I know this is pretty vague and all, but like any other SNK product, it takes a while to understand fully (even if you managed to find a fan site).

The controls may take some time to get used to. It does give a quick tutorial before playing, but if your lazy to check it out for yourself read the following:
The red A button: weak slash
The yellow B button: strong slash
The green C button: kick
The blue D button: deflection
Deflection is like a normal counter technique that leaves an opening for an attack rather than giving damage. This alone may take rounds to master. The only thing I have to complain is the fact that there's no roll technique to avoid attacks and projectiles.

The gameplay is ahead of time in terms of SNK games. Like the Samurai Sprites/Showdown games, there's a choice of speed and power grooves (the way you fight). Speed can allow to do a crazy rushing combo when your life is low and gauge is full, plus your speed and combo abilities increase. Power mode is a little different, instead of the rush combo, you get a traditional super desperation move where you do an ultimate attack with your gauge full and a low life (your power goes up too, duh). Last and possibly the coolest thing, all of the characters are about equal in strength except for the bosses. What this means is, anyone (even a newbie) has a chance to beat your character with as much of luck and skill as his or her opponent.

The graphics are kind of like King of Fighter 2002 with people cheering and stuff. The background can be effected in some areas. For example, the snow level where you can see your fighter's breathe cause it's so cold. Other than that, that's all to gaze at.

I never pay attention to the audio of a fighting game. From past experience of SNK fighting games, other than the early King of Fighter music, I've hated the music. If I were you, I'd bring a CD player or a small radio with me to the arcade if your planning to play this game. If you forget or just don't own those things, hopefully there might be lucky if there's a Bemani game nearby.

Overall, I enjoy SNK fighting games for two things. One, the cheap price and two, they are just plain good to play. After getting used to the music and controls, Last Blade is a pretty good game. It was the best fighting game of the time the game released in 1997. Yes, I know it's crazy to say it when KOF '97 and Street Fighter 3 came out, but it's true. To bad the game was over shadowed by the games other games mentioned in this review. Oh well, at least it was good enough to have a sequel.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/30/03, Updated 06/30/03