When the original Last Blade title was released it took weapons-based fighting in 2D to new heights with its fluid play controls and intense fighting action. Not wanting to rest on its laurels, SNK soon put together a sequel that didn't try to really overhaul anything, but rather stuck to tweaking a few minor aspects of the first title. The result was yet another one-on-one fighting release that continued the tradition of Last Blade without moving too far away from what made the first release so appealing to fighting game fans.
For the most part, The Last Blade 2 feels more like a minor update than a full-blown sequel. Sure, there are a wealth of new areas and some nice new graphical and gameplay twists, but the developers decided not to reinvent the wheel on this one, so don't expect anything radical in terms of changes to gameplay or thematic traits.
The Last Blade 2 doesn't stray too far from the trademark gameplay that made the original release such a hit with fans. The majority of the characters make a return with three new fighters tossed into the mix to spice things up a bit. The POWER and SPEED system returns, but this time an EX mode is introduced to give players a choice of a little bit of both speed and power. Once you see this mode in action you'll see how effective it can be in terms of your approach to the fighting, especially if you choose the right character. Having said that, there are some purists that do feel that this combination does give the game a slightly unbalanced feel at times, and debate continues to rage as to which of the two games offers the best overall experience. This is worth bearing in mind if you're already perfectly happy with the original release.
The re-balancing of many of the characters might end up making a particularly effective character from the original Last Blade release not quite as intimidating, but the smooth play controls and combo system still makes pretty much any character effective if in the right hands. Much of the skill involved in the game carries over from the first release and still places a nice emphasis on multiple hit attacks and using the Repel button at just the right times.
Although the backdrops are new, they just don't seem to have quite the flare of the original Last Blade. There's still plenty of oriental themes to go around, but they just don't seem quite as dynamic. But by contrast, the musical score, while still very Japanese in style, is better than ever. It's easily one of the best fighting game soundtracks the developers at SNK ever put together and does a brilliant job of conveying the theme and regional touches of the areas portrayed throughout the fighting experience.
Conclusion
The endless debate over whether The Last Blade or its sequel is the better fighter continues to this day. Some will tell you that the silky smooth gameplay of the original will always win out, but there are those who feel the additions and higher quality audio in the sequel give it the edge. Regardless of this seemingly endless argument, the truth is that you can't go wrong with either game as the Last Blade series is one of the best fighting franchises available for any system. Suffice it to say, if you enjoyed The Last Blade, you're going to find a lot of entertainment in this sequel - even if you ultimately decide that you prefer the original.
Comments 19
I normally don't consider buying games for the graphics alone, but my God does that game look beautiful...
But the gameplay looks interesting too, so I might download it sometime. Awesome review as always, Corbie!
There are quite a few Neo Geo games that I need to get. Plus I still need to get Double Dragon 2. Anyways, nice review. I enjoyed the the first Last Blade game.
I will purchase this. Sounds awesome.
Thanks for the review. I picked this up the day it was released, and I'm finding it more frustrating than I remember. It's still pretty great, but man, this is some tough stuff. Got a balance issue here and there, too - the dude with the club was almost as hard as the final boss, while the big dude with the weird hands is a chump if you keep your distance. Other than that, though, I love it. Been playing it for hours.
But I just bought the first one only a month ago.
i wish that some non fighting new neo geo games would come out
@motang It'll be there when you're ready for it.
There are only two games of Last Blade, i have both and i´m not dissapointed, both are a must-buy.
Yeah this is one of if not my favorite fighter of all time.
Great review,i bought the first one and loved it,when i get the chance i'll buy this one,a bit disappointed that 1 of the boss characters and the bamboo stage from the first game didn't make it to the sequel though
If i recall correctly this is the last game in the series,shame such a fun franchise ended so early.
Also it's worth mentioning that one of the new characters(Setsuna)plays almost exactly like Iori from the KOF franchise
He doesn't play at all like Iori, actually. You're thinking of that one dude from Mark of the Wolves with the claws.
@Jon_Talbain Well i saw this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU4dSCvUCi0 and he has very similar moves to Iori except(obviously)with a sword(even that attack were Iori goes upward with flames he does it too with the sword).
I guess i should have said he has similar moves to Iori,my bad
That is not how Iori plays at all, man. Not even close. This is Iori: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PceWSBxEXWw
@Jon_Talbain Yeah definitely looking at that Iori video,i don't know what i was thinking when i wrote the previous comment to be honest.
I should really play with these characters before speaking
^To be fair, The description of the video did make it sound like they were similar. I don't know what he was on when he said that, though. Maybe the brooding? That's about as close as they get.
This or the first one?
@vdallos Both.
so nintendo are still making sure that us UK gamers are stuck with games on the VC running at 50hz and slow and we are also stuck with big borders at the top and bottom of the screen just like they were back in the 90's with the Snes,we are in the 2000's for god sake just let us have all the games running in 60hz with full screen just like they are in the USA and Jap.
the screenshot with the, er, ghost? and the "4 hits" message..., WTF!? xD
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