Summary

Bushido Blade 2 is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the late ’90s game development, offering an unparalleled realistic fighting experience that challenges players to think like true samurai.

• Release Year: 1998
• Genres: Fighting
• Platforms: PlayStation
• Developers: Light Weight
• Publishers: Square, Square Electronic Arts, Square Enix

Introduction

Bushido Blade 2 stands out in the fighting game genre for its realistic approach to combat. With no life bars and timers, every match is a test of skill, timing, and strategy. Players choose from a diverse roster of characters, each wielding different weapons, and battle across various 3D environments.

Synopsis

“Bushido Blade 2” is set in the 13th century, on the island of Konoshima in the Seto Naikai, Inland Sea of Japan. The story revolves around two feudal clans, the Kagami and the Sue, both of which were aligned to the same Daimyō. They lived in peace until war on mainland Japan crushed the Daimyō. The Kagami swore fealty to the new Daimyō while the Sue remained loyal to their master until the end.

Over the centuries, the two families evolved into ninja clans, but their hatred of each other never faded. The game’s plot marks the progress of the chosen character who—depending on the character—either fights to regain a legendary sword, or to destroy the opposing school.

Playable characters are chosen from groups which represent two opposing schools of assassins, the Shainto and Narukagami, and are armed with swords or polearms of varying types. The fights in Bushido Blade 2 mark the progress of the chosen character who—depending on the character—either fights to regain a legendary sword, or to destroy the opposing school.

Levels involve a pattern of fighting several generic ninja followed by a boss, who is one of the playable characters from the opposing school. Two characters in Bushido Blade 2 are exceptions to the typical opponent roster: the gun-wielding Tsubame and Katze. They have sworn loyalty to opposing schools, and battles involving them provide a different kind of challenge.

The player can defend against the firearms with melee weapons. Most of the weapons are straight from the first game, excluding the yari and the M16. The yugiri (a sword which is quite similar to the nodachi but wielded like the katana), which was used by the original Bushido Blade’s final boss Hanzaki is now a selectable weapon, but is only accessible in the final battle versus the unarmed ‘last member of the Kagami clan’.

Some of the original Bushido Blade’s selectable weapons— rapier (which does not appear as a selectable weapon, but only in Highwayman’s two-sword stance when he has the long sword equipped), sledgehammer and ninjato —as well as the boss-specific “Double-Bladed Sword-Staff” and “Special Sabre”, have been eliminated. The weapons usable by both schools (such as the katana) have a slightly different design for each school.

While each character wields a specific weapon when fought as a boss, when played as, they can wield whichever weapon the player chooses. The yari is exclusive to characters from the Shainto school, and the naginata is exclusive to characters from the Narukagami school.

Characters

Bushido Blade 2 features a total of 20 warriors, each with unique weapons, fighting styles, and backstories. Characters include the agile Red Shadow, the powerful Tatsumi, and the skilled swordsman Kanuki, among others.

Gameplay

Gameplay in Bushido Blade 2 focuses on one-on-one sword fights, where players must utilize different stances, strikes, and parries to outmaneuver their opponent. The game introduces new weapons, subweapons, and the ability to perform two-handed swordplay and throwing attacks. Players must also navigate through the environment, using terrain to their advantage.

Conclusion

Bushido Blade 2 remains a cult classic, cherished for its departure from conventional fighting games. Its emphasis on realistic swordplay and strategy over button-mashing and combos offers a unique and memorable experience for those who seek depth and authenticity in their fighting games.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern