Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood

""Blades of Blood", a suiting title for a suiting samurai fighting spectacle."

I have always been a fool for the Samurai Showdown Series and I must say, this is the best installment yet. If you are a fan of fighting games, anime, and samurai, for the love of God and all things hallowed, buy this game!

Story:
Oh my God! A fighting game... with a story? That is semi-amazing. And to think, we believed that the half assed plot of Street Fighter was amazing in itself. We were so naive. The warlord Zankuro has signed a decree in which all samurai and their weapons are to be exterminated. This brought back immense nostalgia of Toyotomi's sword act. This new decree has frightened the warriors into slaughtering one another to survive, knowing that any fellow man of honor could be out for himself in such a brutal time. Each of them, manslayer, ronin, ninja, and samurai alike, share one thing in common, survival. They must stop Zankuro himself to preserve their ancient and honored way of life. Aside from having a smashing plot, the Bust and Slash modes add a new flare to our story. These options allow you to choose your path. You can choose a path of honor or you can choose a path of deceit and treachery. Both ways change the ending you shall receive upon completing this game. What is your fate? You decide.
Finally, a fighting game that actually has multiple endings and outcomes along with a story that is viable. 9/10

Graphics:
I am literally in Heaven, and no, God is not 2 PAC... Sorry Jay Z. I am a fool for anime, and that is just what this game delivers. All of the Samurai Showdown games have featured beautiful hand-drawn anime, but this PSX installment has the best to offer. Each attack is done beautifully and without any sort of lag or delay. The blood that flies high into the sky is always satisfying, even to the last drop. Mmmm, mmmm, good.
Anime, anime, anime!! 10/10

Sound:
The sword swings and parries could not sound more precise, but the music may present a problem to certain people. As I have said in my review for Soul of the Samurai, those like myself whom enjoy a culturally correct musical symphony will fall head over heels for this music. Those that are expecting their samurai companions to fight to System of a Down will be very disappointed. Please, for our sake, turn on your stereo and stop fussing. Although, several of the tunes were extremely fast paced and very catchy.
Bravo- a true work of art from SNK's director of music, Hiroyuki Kawano. 10/10

Game Play:
Everyone has sampled at least one Samurai Showdown title, and this one brings us many new cookies. This game introduces a counter system similar to that of Samurai Showdown II. If one attacks an opponent before their attack has been carried out, more damage shall be delivered to them than normal. This is a vital key to mastering this game and its game play. Another unique aspect is the Bust and Slash modes. This decides the path you shall take, be it a warrior, Slash, or a traitor, Bust. Each mode plays differently. Depending on what you choose, your special attacks will change. Another interesting addition is background change. In all Samurai Showdown games, you focus your ki to perform devastating attacks. One thing that this game introduces is a change in background when both characters have reached their ki limit. Also, your best attack can be done more than once per ki spike. Small and minute additions such as these alter the game play greatly. And, most of all, a neat addition is the ability to slice your opponent in two with a fatal finishing blow. I nearly fell over when I watched my opponent bleed from the center of his body and slowly split down the center. It still frightens me slightly every time I see it.
Come now, must I say? It is Samurai Showdown. You take a wild guess. 10/10

Difficulty:
Wow... This is... hard... Really- really hard. I never thought that enemy AI would ever block like this. You must master the counter attack system to survive, because normal attacks just do not go through. The change between games such as Street Fighter, in which any quasi-intelligent monkey can block, and this is shocking. If you are a quasi-intelligent monkey, you may just notice the difference.
Is the difficulty in fighting games a defining factor? I believe so. 10/10

Replay Value:
This is where we hit a problem, folks. If you are a large fan of this series, this game is definitely one to play over and over again, especially with friends. Now, if you are not a great fan, and are just looking for a fighting game, this may present a problem, for this game has nothing to keep you going other than getting both endings for each character.
What to do..? What to do..? 6/10

Over all, Samurai Showdown III: Blades of Blood earns a 10/10.

Buy or Rent?
Rent: I doubt that you could find a copy to rent no-a-day. If you can, and even if you are not a friend of anime, samurais, or fighting games, I highly suggest you do.
Buy: Hey, you heard the quasi-intelligent monkey, buy it! Wait... if you are reading this, I can only infer that you do not already own this game... Are you by chance a lobotomy patient, a fan of mental self mutilation, or a man that wears a helmet at all times and laughs at words such as ''sandwich''? Put that helmet down, stop laughing at that sandwich, and get your ass to the nearest used games store and buy a copy... N-o-w!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/08/03, Updated 06/08/03