THE LAST BLADE
- August 31, 2016
- Dotemu
The Last Blade brings thrilling and strategic sword-based combat to Windows PCs, but the game's barren online play means that you'll need to mix it up with local friends.
Get on Steam"THE LAST BLADE" is a weapons-based fighting game set in the late Edo period of Japan. Choose from 16 unique characters, each with their own fighting style and story. With hand-drawn graphics and fast-paced gameplay, this game offers a challenging and engaging experience for both new and experienced players.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Gog Com
Linux
Wii
Reviews
- The Last Blade is a classic fighting game with unique mechanics and a charming aesthetic, making it enjoyable for both casual and hardcore players.
- The port runs smoothly on Steam Deck and retains the nostalgic feel of the original game, providing a solid experience for fans of retro fighting games.
- The game features a variety of single-player modes and offers a satisfying combat experience, especially for those familiar with SNK's fighting game mechanics.
- The port suffers from technical issues such as low frame rates, input lag, and a lack of online players, making the multiplayer experience nearly non-existent.
- The user interface is clunky and navigation through character commands is cumbersome, detracting from the overall experience.
- There are limited gameplay modes available, with no option for single-player versus matches against AI, which may disappoint players looking for more content.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Last Blade" is characterized by its blend of classic and modern fighting mechanics, offering a roster of 12 characters with basic yet satisfying combat controls, including a repel mechanic and balanced offensive and defensive options. While some players may find the gameplay limited in terms of combo variety, the game is praised for its challenging bosses, beautiful animation, and a rewarding experience that combines engaging mechanics with a captivating story and artistic value. Overall, it stands out as a unique and enjoyable fighting game, especially for fans of the genre.
“If you are looking for a challenging samurai fighting game with cool mechanics, epic character designs, fascinating story, and even secret characters/forms of characters, that's the perfect game for you!”
“If you're a fan of fighters and have not yet witnessed the wonderful animation and gameplay of The Last Blade, you're missing out on one of the most unique and rewarding gaming experiences of your life.”
“Unlike the archaic lane-switching mechanics of Fatal Fury and Samurai Shodown, The Last Blade incorporates many modern fighting game mechanics such as balancing offensive and defensive play with parries, rolls, and characters on the roster balancing one another.”
“The gameplay is very simple; you have a roster of 12 characters, 3 attacking buttons, and 2 defensive mechanics: universal guarding and a dodge button that you probably won't use much.”
“The gameplay is limited in terms of comboing, so people like me who enjoy stylish attacks won't have fun in this game.”
“If you like the franchise, go for The Last Blade 2; it's a better option gameplay-wise.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their functionality and artistic quality, with some users noting that it surpasses similar titles like Samurai Showdown. However, there are reports of technical issues such as frame-rate problems and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. Additionally, modding options are available for enhancing the graphics, though preferences for specific enhancements vary among users.
“I strongly recommend this port as well; it runs great and has tons of functionality and artwork.”
“The synesthesia rush of gameplay, music, and visuals all come together in this one distilled game of SNK greatness.”
“Coupled with monitor frame-rate issues, graphical glitches and other technical details.”
“Graphically, The Last Blade is a tad prettier than Samurai Shodown.”
“I can mod the game's graphics with Reshade HQ4X, but I would like XBRZ, or XBR round no corners, which is reported to be XBR-C; XBRZ is more preferable though.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in "The Last Blade" is noted for its moody and atmospheric quality, complementing the game's aesthetic and narrative. While the soundtrack enhances the emotional impact of battles, some players experienced technical issues, such as out-of-sync music and overlapping themes. Overall, the integration of music with gameplay creates a unique sensory experience, despite some shortcomings.
“The music in The Last Blade totally fits the action, aesthetic, and time period of the game's story.”
“The synesthesia rush of gameplay, music, and visuals all come together in this one distilled game of SNK greatness.”
“The last blade is surprisingly understated for a fighting game, with a moody soundtrack and battles that sometimes forego background music entirely.”
“Game runs choppy with frame skipping and the music is out of sync, where in some instances two themes are playing at the same time for an extended period.”
“The visceral nature of the battles is emphasized when the final blow is struck, the game literally cutting the music with the final blow in a silencing red flash.”
- stability5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it offers great functionality and artwork, users report frequent freezing during combat, graphical glitches, and frame-rate issues. Additionally, the online component is largely inactive, complicating achievement completion. A fix for x-input bugs is available, but technical problems persist.
“I strongly recommend this port as well; it runs great and has tons of functionality and artwork.”
“The game freezes on occasion during combat, and the online mode (which is needed for 2 achievements) has no one playing it.”
“Coupled with monitor frame-rate issues, graphical glitches, and other technical details.”
“The screen freezes on its own on Shikiyo's stage.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's story is engaging and complemented by epic character designs and intriguing mechanics, making it a strong choice for single-player enthusiasts. However, the multiplayer experience suffers significantly due to poor netcode and lag issues, detracting from the overall enjoyment. The music enhances the narrative, aligning well with the game's aesthetic and historical context.
“If you are looking for a challenging samurai fighting game with cool mechanics, epic character designs, fascinating story, and even secret characters/forms of characters, that's the perfect game for you!”
“The music in The Last Blade totally fits the action, aesthetic, and time period of The Last Blade's story.”
“You can only play single player through story and time attack mode.”
“The multiplayer's netcode is another hell; it's literally empty because no one bought this game, and the lag spikes create a frustrating experience. The controls in this game make my left arm want to crush the keyboard.”
“The music in The Last Blade totally fits the action, aesthetic, and time period of the story.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky elements, such as amusing translation errors and the playful term "orgy mode" for a unique playstyle option. While some humorous aspects may detract from the overall experience, the developers' decision to list cheat codes on the Steam storefront adds a lighthearted touch that players find entertaining.
“Fun, different, and no stranger to some hilarious translation errors.”
“Something oddly unique to the last blade is a speed/power playstyle option humorously referred to as 'orgy mode', which is more of two specializations of playstyles.”
“I found it hilarious that the developers wrote the cheat codes on the Steam storefront page to unlock the hidden characters.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the game's strong character development, noting its engaging story, impressive character designs, and the inclusion of secret characters and forms, which enhance the overall experience and challenge.
“The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to explore unique backstories and evolve their abilities throughout the journey.”
“Each character feels distinct and their growth is not only tied to gameplay mechanics but also to a rich narrative that keeps you invested.”
“I love how the characters change and adapt based on the choices you make, making every playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly without any slowdowns or stuttering, and is free from major bugs.
“No slowdowns, no stuttering; the game runs smoothly without major bugs.”
“The optimization is top-notch, allowing for a seamless gaming experience.”
“I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it runs flawlessly on my system.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization of these games is compared to modern microtransactions, suggesting a focus on extracting money from players, yet they still offer brief, valuable experiences that were unique to the hardware limitations of their time.
“Beneath the quarter-eating exterior that we may liken to modern microtransactions without the nostalgia of their novelty, these games provided short, worthwhile experiences that could not be done on consoles or PC hardware at the time.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience and enjoyment.”
“It's frustrating to see a game that could be great bogged down by aggressive monetization tactics that push players to spend more money.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is limited, primarily relying on local multiplayer options, as the online features do not provide a satisfying experience for players seeking nostalgia.
“Unfortunately, my experience has shown that the online capabilities are not sufficient to warrant purchasing it for nostalgia fans, leaving local-only games as the only means of replayability.”
“The lack of diverse game modes really limits the replayability; once you've played through the main content, there's little incentive to return.”
“After completing the game, I found that there was no real reason to go back and play again, as the experience felt repetitive and lacking in new content.”
