Descpription:
The core gameplay remained relatively the same
from Samurai Shodown V, but there were all new graphics,including
portraits done by artist Satoshi Ito, which conveys a dark
atmosphere similar to that of Samurai Shodown III
A significant amount of changes were made between Samurai Shodown V
and Samurai Shodown V Special. Among them, the midboss characters
Sankuro and Yumeji were taken out and replaced with SS1 boss Amakusa
Shiro Tokisada and SS3 boss Zankuro Minazuki.
While hidden character Poppy was replaced with SS2 boss
Rashoujin Mizuki, playable without needing a hidden code.
This game also has many gameplay tweaks, making this version much
more balanced than its predecessor. The biggest gameplay change,
however, was the introduction of the Zetsumei Ougi, or the
Overkill move for English-speaking areas.
If this move was performed properly, it would instantly end the
match for its victim, regardless of how much life he or she had
remaining, a concept similar to that of the Guilty Gear series,
except the conditions to execute the move were more strict, as your
character had to be in a rage explosion while the opponent's
life is below the point they could or could've entered Concentration One.
This combination of violent acts represented in Samurai Shodown
V Special generated a lot of controversy. This led to SNKP
censoring the Neo Geo AES cartridge shortly after the Sasebo slashing.
