General: The fourth installment to this epic series. The game feels much like Samurai Shodown 3, but now with a different super bar style (more like SS1 and SS2)... Several new and classic characters join the roster to make a more enjoyable gameplay experience. However, a few animations from SS3 were mysteriously taken out, which causes the game to lose a bit of it's fluidity... Slightly disappointing, but it still looks really good.
   However, the gameplay is much more fun than 3... Of course, with a connected super, you can force your opponent to lose their weapon, but not break it like in 2. The rage meter can now explode in a desperation maneuver, giving you a limited amount of time to launch one very strong attack, and if it connects, your opponent will experience quite a bit of blood loss... A nice addition to the gameplay. Your character can also commit-harakiri... Why would you want to? Let's say you're gettin your ass kicked REAL bad in the first round... He's got like full heath and you're in the red zone... Just kill yourself, because in the next round, you'll have a FULL Rage meter... Nice addition... Overall, SS4 is an outstanding game!
Manufacturer: SNK
Platforms: Neo Geo
Year: 1996
Characters: Haohmaru, Ukyo, Hanzo, Nakoruru, Genjuro, Kyoshiro, Shizumaru, Gaira, Rimururu, Basara, Sogetsu, Kazuki, Tam Tam, Charlotte, Galford, Jubei, Amakusa
Comment: With the release of SS4, SNK fixed some of Samurai Shodown 3's flaws, and added some of the classic Samurai Shodown characters... A great game all around, I played the hell out of this one.
Rating: 9.0