This would be the last Samurai Shodown game of the main series released in 7 years. Due to mixed reception of Blades of Blood, SNK removed most of its new game mechanics, revamped others and add some new moves. Shiro Tokisada Amakusa returns as the titular antagonist time after his defeat in the first Samurai Shodown videogame. This is the second and last game in the 2-chapter storyline between the original Samurai Shodown and Samurai Shodown II. It's the fourth overall game in the Samurai Shodown series after the release of Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood. Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge, know in Japan as Samurai Spirits - Amakusa's Descent, is a weapon-based fighting game produced by SNK in 1996 for the Neo Geo arcade, home and CD systems, with ports to other home consoles. The Wii and PlayStation 2 ports as part of the Anthology are nearly perfect, but contain brief load times before fights.ESRB: T for Teen - animated blood, crude humor, violence. Cham Cham has also been added to the playable character roster in this version, although she has no story mode. At least the dull loading screens have been replaced with attractive art. The PlayStation version, given the dubious “Special” subtitle, suffers from even worse animation and load times, although it’s not nearly as bad as the Samurai Shodown III port. The Saturn version once again uses the RAM cart and maintains most of the animation with minimal load times, although unfortunately there’s a bit of slowdown with some of the bigger sprites. The home ports of Samurai Shodown IV were released in 1997. Additionally, it features the absolute best Engrish of any SNK title, which is remarkable achievement: whenever you win a match, the text will declare “VICTOLY!”
It’s also probably the most violent game in the series until then, to be surpassed only by Samurai Shodown Zero Special. It’s little wonder SNK used this system for its next ventures, Samurai Shodown 64 and Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage. Samurai Shodown IV‘s system and characters are more balanced than its predecessor, resulting in not only a much more playable title, but one of the best in the series. You can even commit seppuku if you want to deny your opponent the glory of a win. The final system addition is the “Fatal Slash” technique that allows the player to execute character specific fatality attacks, reducing the opponent to an even bloodier end. These combos, while cool-looking, do little damage, but automatically max out the POW meter. Samurai Shodown IV is also the only title to have a clearly defined combo system: by pressing the C and D buttons followed by a series of commands, the player begins an auto combo that maximizes at fourteen hits.
Air blocking has been removed, and the “Rage Explosion” maneuver has been introduced: pressing A, B and C together will completely change the background (usually to something darker), and your character sacrifices their POW meter for an entire match in exchange for a massive power upgrade and an opportunity to unleash a special technique. Samurai Shodown IV is largely identical to the precursor, although the team has modified various functions and added in more tweaks, resulting in an overall more polished experience. Mindful of the qualms many gamers had with the third installment, SNK sought to amend them in the fourth. Charolotte, Tam Tam and Jubei Yagyu are also back, adding another three faces to the roster. The roster from Samurai Shodown III remains intact, with two new characters added: the ninja brothers Kazuki and Sogetsu Kazama, who wield the respective powers of fire and water. If you exceed the time limit, you fight an alternate character and receive a bad ending. If you reach the final stage in time, you’ll fight Amakusa and Zankuro and get the real ending. This means you’re under pressure to reach Amakusa’s castle.
When you begin the game, you’ll see a timer set at eight minutes. Zankuro is once again the game’s antagonist, having been revived after his death in the last game, and the plot still revolves around his persecution. Samurai Shodown IV‘s story takes place in the early winter of 1789, a year after Samurai Shodown III, but still prior to the events of Samurai Shodown II.