THE LAST BLADE 2

About

"The Last Blade 2" is a weapons-based fighting game set in feudal Japan. Choose from 19 charismatic characters, each with unique abilities and fighting styles. This edition features enhanced graphics, new game modes, and local multiplayer, staying true to its arcade predecessor while offering improved gameplay options. Master your favorite character's moves and strategies to become the ultimate swordsman.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 148 reviews

gameplay10 positive mentions

The Last Blade 2 features beautiful art direction, sprite work, and stage design, making it visually stunning.
The game has deep and challenging mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to master, providing a rewarding experience for players.
The rollback netcode is excellent, allowing for smooth online play and making it accessible for both casual and competitive players.

The single-player experience can be frustrating due to a cheap AI that feels overly difficult and punishing.
There is a lack of a player base for online matches, making it hard to find opponents.
Some technical issues persist, such as frame drops and a lack of stage selection in online play.

gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
52%
11%
The gameplay is praised for its depth and accessibility, blending mechanics from classic fighting games like Samurai Shodown and King of Fighters, resulting in a strategic yet fluid combat experience. Players appreciate the challenging nature of the mechanics, particularly the parry system, and the variety of character designs and combos available. While some find the arcade mode unfair and the learning curve steep, the overall consensus is that the game offers a rewarding experience for both newcomers and veterans alike, with a strong emphasis on skill development and tactical play.
- “Deep challenging mechanics that are decently easy to learn, but very hard to master.”
- “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 unique mechanics of attacking and repelling at just the right time mixed with feints and dodges makes this a fighting game that truly stands out from all the Street Fighter clones and generic anime fighters that only utilize minor gimmicks to set themselves apart.”
- “However, the mechanics are kept in; it's still the baby child of Garou: MOTW and Samurai Shodown... those 5-hit combos go heavy on the health bar like nothing I've ever seen.”
- “A bit janky in terms of mechanics and a broken arcade boss, but still one of the funniest fighting games there is.”
- “The gameplay does not seem too combo-heavy, yet is very complex; expect a more deliberate playstyle with movement and blocking/parry focus, rather than hit-confirming into a 50-strike combo, which I think will still satisfy veterans of the genre and provide a more approachable mechanic for newcomers.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and memorable quality, significantly enhancing the overall atmosphere and lore. While some players express frustration over the inability to hear the soundtrack during certain gameplay moments, the majority appreciate the soundtrack's contribution to the game's classy aesthetic and fluid combat experience. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, complementing the game's art style and character design effectively.
- “Music that's filled with emotion.”
- “The game sprites still hold up, fighting is very fluid and fast-paced, combos and special moves feel like an achievement to execute, and the music really elevates the lore.”
- “The music and atmosphere is god tier.”
- “In story mode, when I lose a match and use a continue, the music won't start playing until I win and move to the next round.”
- “I'm starting to get irritated and sad because I can only hear the sound effects from the game but not the soundtrack.”
- “Too bad that you can't choose your stage online, because if you're playing with the same character, you're always playing on the same stage with the same music.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
23%
23%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and impressive design, reminiscent of classic Super Nintendo visuals while still feeling modern. Players appreciate the fluid animations and the game's ability to run smoothly, with options to customize graphic settings. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal, enhancing the gameplay experience without relying on excessive gore or sexual content.
- “The art design and graphics are insane.”
- “Really fun game, really easy to pick up, top classic SNK graphics and amazing rollback netcode.”
- “The artstyle is beautiful despite the retro look (not to say dated).”
- “This isn't samsho, don't come in expecting any similarities beyond an emphasis on footsies and the traditional aesthetic.”
- “Gameplay, artstyle, animations and new improved netcode.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game's story is described as lacking depth and clarity, with minimal cutscenes and reliance on intro screens for narrative progression, making it less engaging than its predecessor. However, some players appreciate the original plot and character designs, noting that it features a challenging story mode and intriguing elements crafted by notable writer Hidetaka "Swery" Suehiro. Overall, while the story has potential, its execution leaves much to be desired.
- “A great story with so many amazing characters.”
- “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!”
- “Another wind blows through a heated age... this story has not yet ended.”
- “I mean the game has no cutscenes whatsoever, so I just assumed this is how the story goes from the fighting intro screen.”
- “That's why I said the first game was much better; it had a few cutscenes and some story, while the most story you'll get out of this one are the intro screens in stage 7 (rival stage, if you play fighting games you'd understand).”
- “The plot of the game is not the most understandable.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game excels in character development, featuring well-designed characters and a captivating narrative that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the depth of the characters, including secret forms and unique mechanics, contributing to its status as a standout in the samurai fighting 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, this is the perfect game for you!”
- “The good - one of the best weapons-based fighting games of all time, with great art, atmosphere, music, character design, gameplay mechanics, and most importantly - good netcode.”
- “Good game, Lee is well-designed as a character, and the narrator is just perfect. I don't understand why this game isn't hitting the shelves.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by exceptional art, music, and character design that contribute to a poetic and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight it as one of the best in its genre, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “Excellent fighting game with a great poetic atmosphere.”
- “The music and atmosphere is god tier.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its stability, running smoothly at a full 60 fps on modern hardware, which is a significant improvement over previous ports like Last Blade 1 and Garou. Users recommend it for its strong performance and rich functionality.
- “I strongly recommend this port as well; it runs great and has tons of functionality and artwork.”
- “Runs great at a full 60 fps on modern hardware, unlike the Last Blade 1 port as well as Garou.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
The game's optimization has been criticized for performance issues, particularly related to its emulation of The Last Blade 2, which struggled with particle display. However, players have reported a smooth online experience with no input delay or lag during matches with nearby friends.
- “No input delay, frame skips, audio sync issues, etc. I also played a few matches online and experienced a lag-free performance with a friend living in the same state.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”
- “The game runs beautifully, with consistent frame rates and no noticeable drops during intense action.”
- “There are some performance issues, but that comes with the fact that this game is literally an emulation of The Last Blade 2 from the NeoGeo, which was notorious for being absolutely awful at displaying particles.”
- “No input delay, frame skips, audio sync issues, etc. I also played a few matches online and experienced lag-free performance with a friend living in the same state.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Players generally find the game's replayability to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic outcomes that encourage multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of unlockable content and challenges further enhances the desire to revisit the game. Overall, users appreciate the depth and diversity that contribute to a lasting replay value.
- “The replay value of this game is incredible; every playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and diverse character choices, I find myself coming back to explore new paths.”
- “The dynamic gameplay mechanics ensure that no two runs are ever the same, making it endlessly replayable.”
- “The replay value is almost non-existent; once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back.”
- “After finishing the main story, I found no compelling reasons to replay the game, as the choices felt superficial.”
- “The lack of varied outcomes and limited side quests really hurt the game's replayability.”