Second Samurai for MD PAL

Image: MobyGames

Second Samurai

Samurais in Time

Genre: action - hack n slash

Publisher: Vivid Image

Year: 1994

System: MD PAL

Gameplay Score: 3

Gameplay Notes:

I debated whether to call this a beat em up or a hack n slash but I went with hack because you're a samurai for crying out loud. Your sword is you natural environment, even if you can lose it and be forced to punch your enemies. Movement is slow, like most games in this genre, so you have to mash as you walk. Enemies pour in from all sides at all times, even on Easy difficulty. This is Super Star Wars-level of enemy spawning. And like all Amiga/western games of the era, the enemies swarm to you, have no collision and will sit inside your hitbox until you die. One of my major pet peeves. Thankfully, the generous hit detection almost makes up for it. You've got multiple attacks depending on the direction you hold. you can evne pick up and throw enemies. It's satisfying and necessary to clear the hordes of enemies that continuously stream at you. A steady stream of power and health pickups keep you powered up, but bad platforming ultimately prevents this from being a good game.

Level Design Score: 2

Level Design Notes:

I don't understand these Amiga games. They all have the same structure. Collect X doodads to open the exit. And good luck finding them! The first level is only about 10 screens wide (including a "hidden" underground area) but I never could find everything and thus could not complete the stage. I spent 30 minutes going back and forth. I finally gave up and used the password system to visit a few of the 14 other stages.

Theme Score: 4

Theme Notes:

I'm not sure what to make of the theme. You're a samurai but you're traveling through time like you're in Turtles in Time. There's only two time jumps - from prehistoric jungles and volcanoes with cavement and dinosaurs to futuristic sci-fi with Terminators and mechs and finally to old Japan for the final showdown. It's weird, but pretty cool.

Art Style Score: 5

Art Style Notes:

Easily one of the best looking Genesis games. The sprites are huge, detailed, but poorly animated, and there can be a ton on screen at once. Effects look nice, but do get repetitive. The overall look reminds me of Comix Zone, just with less animation. Vivid colors round out the excellent artwork.

Audio Score: 3

Audio Notes:

The music is good, but doens't really fit the theme. It's a mashup of traditional Japanese strings with an almost rock tune. But these so much death and destruction going on that you won't hear the music over the sound effects anyway. I didn't come away thinking "this sounds great" nor did I hate what I heard, so I'd say it's an average rating.

Overall Score: 60

Review ID: 6833