Last Blade 2 is the second title in another of SNK's numerous fighting series. It may not be popular outside Japan mainly because it never really made it to the US and to Europe due to lack of advertisement. The best reason also remains that it was overshadowed by The King of Fighters and Garou Dentetsu but in fact, the Last Blade series is as spectacular as those although it remains more of a game for veterans.

Due to the contract between Sega and SNK to have most of its fighters ported to the Dreamcast, Last Blade 2 was finally released on the console along with The King of Fighters Dream Match 1999. Except for the graphical changes due to the limitations of the Dreamcast and some other stuff which had to be rearranged, the title is just as the original.

The cast of Last Blade 2 is quite big and yet, remains interesting as no 2 fighters are controlled alike nor do they share moves. Kaede, Hibiki, Zantetsu, Setsuna, Amano and Lee, among the rest, make LB2 have one of the most charming casts ever and also one of the deepest game. The most striking feature is the variety of techniques they have and each character's technique seems suited just for him or her. Okina even fights with a fishing rod…

Kaede still comes in his 2 forms, one of which must be activated through a code. There are 2 modes of play, Power and Speed, along with a third hidden one, EX. In Power Mode, you have one more super move and the ability to cancel some of your special moves into that super move. Your attacks also do more damage. In Speed mode, once your gauge is full, you can use it to become quicker than Flash and to pull previously impossible combos.

Of course, each character is better suited to a combo. Choosing Hibiki and assignating her to Power mode is somewhat stupid since it will hamper her above anything else. In the same way, picking Speed mode with Shigen shows complete ignorance. Some characters, like Kaede, Setsuna or even Zantetsu, have the useful ability of being deadly and at ease in both modes and this gives them a good advantage over the remaining cast.

EX mode is a blend between both known modes and it takes all the good points of each. However, it also has some negative features to make it ''balanced'' such as your tendency to be very weak defensively. This mode is more for expert gamers who have already mastered a character because it is awfully hard to come to terms with and purely suicidal for someone who doesn't know what he's doing.

Like I mentioned earlier, the port to the Dreamcast has suffered a bit from the console's limitation but that's not to say it's bad. Actually, I was amazed to see that the game still conserved that stylish animation which made it so appealing and while not as good as the Neo-Geo version, this DC title shows the progress that had been achieved by SNK throughout all these years.

The characters and backgrounds are all extremly well-detailed and the most amazing of all is the fact that most of the frames are here while it would have been so logical to leave some out like in all MVS to console conversions. Instead, although some are missing, the best ones are still present and thus manage to give LB2 the animation it so deserves.

The horses is Hibiki's background are so realistic I actually expected them to leave their designated spot and come crashing out of my TV as I played the game. Similarly, the changes in color as Shigen's bionic arm uses its sheer power is a real work of art and the trees and the sunset in Lee's stage demonstrate sheer brillance. The waterfall is probably the best part as the water flows on smoothly until it crashes down and all this conveys an undeniable charm to LB2.

Although LB2 can be said to be one of SNK's weakest title in terms of music, it is still decent but is extremely lacking if you take the time to compare it to what you usually get in The King of Fighters and the likes. Hibiki has a nice slow-paced music that will entertain you due to its soothing effect and Setsuna's background music calls for war, nothing else -- which is just as good since you'll desperately need luck to defeat that over-powered bastard.

Otherwise, there are some other cool themes but they will not call you back for more like most other series by SNK. Lee's/Zantetsu's stage still remains my favorite because…it has no music ! However, that's where its charm lies. The absence of music makes the stage even ''darker'' and all this is made even better by the birds flying by in the distance and the wind shuffling the leaves and grass.

Speaking of which, LB2 shines thanks to its sound effects and the ever-lasting flawless cast that was present in the prequel. The realistic fire in Kojiroh's stage will make you frantically go around your house looking if it is on fire and only the clock in the same stage urging you to fight on will clear away all your doubts. The voice-acting is, once more, flawless and each voice is well-suited to each character.

As in any SNK game, LB2 benefits from a tight control although you'll need a proper joystick to play it. It's very difficult to play such a skilled game with that stupid DC pad -- did I really have to tell you that ?! Otherwise, LB2's control is great.

Most of all and that's also the reason of its quick popularity in Japan, Last Blade 2 isn't a mere fighting game with only punches and kicks. Instead, this closely ressembles the infamous Samurai Shodown as it has a similar gameplay. The 3 attacks buttons are weak slash, strong slash and kick which you will also use to make chain combos and other sort of flashy stuff. The last button is the repel button.

This repel button is the most important. As I mentioned earlier, LB2 isn't one of those games where you need to mash the buttons constantly to fill your power gauge and this will enable you to win. Instead, it is quite the opposite and that's what makes it so different from -- and much better than -- any other fighting game. You'll be relying on the repel button a lot as it will be factor that decides whether you'll win or you'll lose against a rush chain combo.

A fraction of a second too early or too late and you will most likely eat dust as your opponent releases a series of attacks that you are unable to block due to your pitiful mistake. Mind games are what will make you win in LB2 -- that's just how it must be played at all times. Needless to say, this is a skilled game, mashers will stand no chance and won't like it. So, if you're a masher, forget about this game -- it is not meant for stupid, cheap players like you. Go play MvC instead !

The quite big cast gives LB2 a nice gameplay since you'll need weeks to master each character and even when you think you've done just that, another will hop in and will severely kick your ass. The replay value is as good as it gets with hundreds of hours, whether you're playing alone or with a couple of friends.

Simply put, LB2 is one of the best fighting games ever, 2D and 3D alike. Few games possess its depth and its unique game system gives it a near-perfect gameplay and replay value. Keep in mind that it is not intended for everybody though. But if you like the challenge of a game which requires skill above all and where just a little mistake will decide the outcome of a match (let us all be sick:)), give it a try ! You won't regret it !



Reviewed by: Shirow