I have SS1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Special and 6 on PS4. bringing them to modern consoles is the greatest thing SNK did since developing KOFXIV (which is a mindblowing attempt and the graphics update was even more mindblowing. KOFXIV got red carpet support, even if the mainstream didnt think so. it just had trouble finding a art direction and graphical quality that would make it mainstream appealing).
Though the next Samurai Shodown gotta be hardcore lethal with its damage and attacks. Samurai Shodown shines when its not emphasized on combos,
that just makes the weapons feel weaker, which contradicts the essence of the series which was to express the dangerous and violent destructive nature of weapons, especially blades.
this was generations before Bushido Blade went steps further and simulated more realistic duels.
and Samurai Shodown is not a spectator sport. people fight for survival as much as glory. its kill or be killed in most cases. the gameplay should reflect upon that.
even though it was a festival light hearted intended game, SSVI lacking blood and gore really made it hollow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BshnUJhexiw
SS
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTKwaxo3BD5PDMNq7jUK6yBFy6ZHuzDO5
SSVS
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTKwaxo3BD5Ph4NETPhIMSUDiS5qcNUX9
the SS with the most gratifying balance is SS V Special. finishers are more likely to cut someone in two, more ways to graphically kill someone, the overkills were unique and still perfect for Samurai Shodown.
though SS3 has the best atmosphere for the most part. SS1 and SS2, while legendary, were too lighthearted in some aspects (like bananas flying out when someone is cut in two), Samurai Shodown became better when they ditched the referee in the background and starting making kills more gratifying (it gets especially intense when two fighters are at critical in the decisive round in SS3. )
well yea SS3 isnt perfect, I like some things about SSIV but it got carried away with combos and it feels much harder to try to cut someone in two or more pieces.
SSII is well rounded, but it feels dated compared to SSV Special's game mechanics polish and speed. SSi is classic, though yea, its long been since surpassed, but still worth playing once in a while.
I like playing SS1-6 back to back.
they should port and localize Samurai Shodown RPG on PS4. I dont care about its flaws, its probably the first and only fighting RPG based on a mainstream fighting series.
I like some things about Samurai Shodown Sen, but yea, graphics, art direction and presentation is gonna be essential for the next Samurai Shodown, but it also has the right formula of gameplay, besides of course
an impressive roster, plus blood, gore and finishers (both caused by regular slashes, as well as overkills) are a must. they cant pull any punches. MK's mainstream success should give SNK confidence that its ok to kill and split people open in Samurai Shodown games.
also they should keep the soundtrack as ambient as possible. one of the things I hate about classic Tenchu games is how out of place and awful its soundtrack is. the only decent Tenchu game with a solid soundtrack is Tenchu Senran/Tenchu Z. but yea, new gen Samurai Shodown fighting game has to be in a league of its own and not Garou/KOF with swords.