The Last Blade Longplay (Neo Geo) [QHD]

Game Info
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Developer: SNK
Publisher: SNK
Year of Release: 1997

Game Review & Impressions
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It's fair to say the Neo Geo isn't exactly lacking when it comes to great fighting games. With franchises such as Fatal Fury, King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown already well-established by 1997, it's hard to imagine room for yet another entrant in such a crowded marketspace, but The Last Blade manages to carve itself a niche that sets it apart from other SNK fighting games.

Much like Samurai Shodown, The Last Blade is a game all about weapon-based combat, albeit one which is more tactical in its approach to gameplay. The combat is generally slower paced, instead focusing on well-timed strikes and judicious use of the guard counter mechanic. The guard counter is effectively an active block, which puts your character into a guard stance that not only protects from an incoming attack, but stuns your opponent temporarily, leaving them open to counters. Different guard counters must be executed to deal with high and low attacks, and while it doesn't work on most supers or specials, it can be absolutely devastating in the hands of a decent player, chaining together a series of attacks that can quickly rip through an opponent's health gauge.

Players must choose both a character from a roster of fighters on offer and an attack style to use throughout the game. The "Speed" style benefits from the ability to chain attacks together at the expense of raw power, whereas the "Power" mode focuses on raw damage output per attack, and gives access to a Super Desperation move. These "Desparation" moves are typically only available when the player's health bar is flashing red or power bar has been filled, and can quickly turn the tide of battle if used properly.

Another of TLB's more memorable features is the inclusion of death animations, where defeating an enemy with a cross-cutting slash has a chance to slice them in two, accompanied by geyser-like spray of blood from the wound. Given that combatants are hitting each other with savagely sharp pieces of pointed metal, this makes a lot of sense, and the artwork and attention to detail really makes these pseudo-fatalities all the more impactful.

As to my own opinion, I was really impressed by The Last Blade. The combat mechanics and deflection/counters make for an experience that feels more nuanced in its approach, one where timing and mastery of the systems lead to victory, rather than blind button-mashing. This beautifully rendered versus fighting game typifies everything the Neo Geo stands for as a game's console,

Chapters
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00:00 Attract mode
02:33 Gameplay
22:30 Ending