
SNK’s first two Sengoku games put players in control of a sword-swinging hero, with the neat ability to switch to a different character during play should they wish. Coupled with a variety of enemies to bash they were not essential titles, but could still provide some decent fighting fun. The second game built on the first, but the third goes in a different direction. Arriving eight years after the second instalment and handed over to a different developer (Noise Factory), Sengoku 3 is not simply what came before with some additions. In fact, aside from the similar aesthetic that puts the ancient together with the relatively modern it seems like it’s from a different series.
At the start, you pick from one of four (new) characters to battle through six stages of enemy forces, with a second player able to buy into the game at any time to help you on your adventure. Your character options vary in their agility and power ranging from the speedy, but light striking ability of Kurenai to the slow but powerful attacks from the lumbering Kongoh. There’s no character-switching ability this time around, although should you continue upon losing all your lives you can go for someone else as is common to the genre. The only other time you can select a different fighter is after the third stage when two others (actually two of the bosses you have defeated by this point) join your party.

Those first three stages can be tackled in whatever order you wish. The China stage is labelled as easy compared to the hard Italy and Japan ones, but apart from an easier boss battle (this one doesn’t join the team) there’s not a big difference in challenge. Some further variety is provided on the fourth and fifth stages (Brazil, USA) thanks to branching paths giving you a couple of ways to reach those boss battle.
Visually the game adopts a more cartoony look for its characters with smoother animation and varied and detailed surroundings. There are good touches like skylines reflected in puddles and fleeing (and screaming) crowds. Each stage has a different look such as Japan that sees you fighting across rooftops at night, city and it’s neon visible in the background as you keep moving down, eventually arriving at a tube station. Italy has you outside during the day walking over a bridge and fighting by water, while China sees you end up in a museum. Other locations visited include sewers, clifftops and more streets, giving you a range of sights to take whilst you pummel the bad guys.

The action is backed by a good selection of yells, screams and noises for different attacks. The music is wonderful too with generally moody, adventurous music that uses a good range of instruments. In your quest you’ll be fighting a range of ill-looking foes, such as green-skinned sword and spear-men, purple-skinned jumping dagger-women and another purple skinned foe who can send bats at you. The different enemy types also come in different colours, though none are particular healthy looking. Indeed, upon defeat, your enemies decompose. Aside from human attackers you’ll also be up against acid-spitting frogs, viscous dogs, a balled-together mass of heads and strange werewolf-like creatures that attack by somehow spitting their own head at you. Throw in some other dangers like spiked floors, electric beams and boss battles against the likes of a samurai a phoenix and a gun-totting guy and there’s a lot of different things to contend with during your adventure.
A good variety of foes is welcome in a scrolling beat ‘em up, but where Sengoku 3 ups the entertainment is in providing you with plenty of ways to take them out. You have two attack buttons (one is for weapon attacks) and mixing these together can lead to devastating combos; a combo meter building your attack power the more successive hits you land. Jump, dash and throw abilities add to your offensive options and throw-able items such as shuriken, bombs and even plates can be picked up and in fact stockpiled (up to nine); helpful for taking out attackers from a safe distance or integrating into your combo attacks.

Get surrounded and there’s a move available to knock down your tormentors at the cost of a small portion of your own health. Each character also has two-three special attacks that use a portion of the power gauge that builds as you land attacks. These special moves vary in nature, being whirling or flaming attacks or bringing in duplicates, but the input commands are shared across the fighter lineup. Keep building up your power gauge and a devastating 'Ultimate Ninja Arts' attack becomes available to attack all onscreen enemies.
The game can get tough when the various different enemy attacks come together, requiring a mix of skills to deal with and boss battles can be tricky too when looking for an opening to attack. Stringing together big combos helps to deal with this challenge and health restoring food can be found throughout the levels – sometimes on restaurant tables, but generally just lying on the floor as tends to happen in games of this type.
If looking to see how the events of the game unfold, unlimited continues are on hand to make this easily achievable, but it’s more fun to limit the credits used or maybe go for a single credit and more lives and/or lower difficulty setting. For a set challenge, HAMSTER’s usual Hi Score mode is on hand to see how well you can do on the default settings with a single credit and the five-minute Caravan mode is also available. These as well as the regular arcade mode have online leaderboards for you to improve your placement on based on points scored; points increased by your attacks as well as the collection of items such as coins, gold, vases and a Neo Geo Pocket.
Conclusion
Sengoku 3 ditches the nifty character-switching ability of the previous instalments, but makes up for it with a wide-array of attacking options. Gameplay remains straightforward, but it's immensely satisfying to string together attacks to take out the waves of enemy forces. Decent presentation and good enemy variety (and their different attacks) leads to enjoyable playthroughs whether solo or with a friend. For Switch-owning fighting fans, Sengoku 3 is an excellent choice of scrolling beat 'em up.
Comments 27
It's kinda funny how Sengoku 3 has become the favorite since it was sort of disregarded back in it's day. Nice to see games like this getting a second chance.
The best beat-em-up I've ever played. The level of control you have over each character and their various moves took me by surprise when I played it. I'm currently 2nd on the Caravan leaderboard but with this being the current Weekly Challenge game I fear I won't be there for much longer.
This is actually my least favorite Sengoku. While the gameplay is probably the best of the series its stages drag on too long. I also disagree that it has a wide variety of enemies. I was overall disappointed but I'm glad others enjoy it.
This game is fantastic as well as being mad as a box of frogs. A classic
Think I’ll download this
Third time's a charm? Nice subtitle, but the second one definitely wasn't too shabby either. Arguably, the second game is actually even better in some respects according to people fighting over which of the two games is the best, but having said that, both games in this series are well worth the purchase if side-scrolling beat em ups are your thing.
@NEStalgia Well, it's time for that wallet again...
This is the game that pushed me to start collecting arcade titles on my Switch. It's good stuff.
A really good beat em up and to be honest probably the best I've ever played in terms of the gameplay but nothing beats Streets of Rage 2 overall for me personally , the presentation and soundtrack in particular are timeless.
Definitely one of the better brawler on the NeoGeo Switch.
Great, another beat 'em up. How about a Batt 'er up, Hamster?!? Baseball Stars Professional please!!!
I've played many beat-em-up games and, for me, Sengoku 3 stands alongside the best of the genre. Every time I play this, one year ago was the last time, it takes a little time to adjust to its style as I find it more defensive and tactical compared to others in the genre. But it's a blast to manage large groups of tough enemies. Very good presentation and game play. Sprite work is strong. Criticism of stage length and enemy variety is fair.
Got day one, love this game
the last boss is pretty hard
You know I bought it
Been thinking of getting this on and off. Honestly I think I will. It’s not that expensive and beat ‘em ups are always a great time.
I am curious, are they actually gonna re-release every single Neo-Geo title?
@samuelvictor Great to know. Thank you. I’m either buying it tonight or later this week/next week.
Never liked Sengoku 1 and 2. Sengoku 3 is a different story, an awesome beat em that definitely needs to be played for those who like the genre.
@samuelvictor Played bit of it. Very interesting so far. I like how you can mix up the combos.
Trying to decide between this and Streets of Red.
Wait a shotgun cocking second, this series consists of beat’em ups? I always thoughtbit was another of the many 1vs1 fighters on the Neo Geo.
Guess I’ll look into it!
So if I wanted to get just one... Would you recommend this one?
Same as @smaggthesmug
If I want a beat'em up on Neo Geo is this the one to go? Will I miss anything storywise without playing the first two Sengokus?
I bought this game the moment it came out. Didn't wait for a review and ask for opinions on it. It is a fantastic game to play with plenty characters to choose from and combat mechanics gives it for a better variety on doing combos or short juggles. I do recommend it if you truly enjoy beat em ups.
@Drac_Mazoku ...or even better, the "Bare Knuckle 3" of the Neo Geo, just as long as you ignore the butchered Western version of the game.
I'm finding this a tough game to master but thrilled to see the Switch beat-em-up library starting to bolster itself. With golden oldies like DOUBLE DRAGON and BAD DUDES VS. DRAGON NINJA on the eShop along with modern brawler par excellence, WULVERBLADE, this Neo-Geo masterpiece is a welcome addition. Proving the side-scrolling beat-em-up is alive and well on Switch.
Customary call for Konami and Capcom to jump on board and fingers crossed SEGA Ages line bring the good stuff to Switch 👍
I see people saying it's one of the best beat'em ups ever, on any system, but my gamer friends keep telling me it's far from Streets of Rage and even Final Fight, but they don't elaborate.
What can you people tell me about it? The game in comparison to other brawlers.
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