Netflix has been venturing into the gaming world for a few years now. The platform currently has a modest library of titles that we can download and play on our mobile devices. While most of these games bring to mind the golden age of Flash games, the platform has steadily added more serious titles. Recently, the streaming platform added a list of new games, with the standout being a classic fighting game from SNK.
Samurai Shodown is a weapon-based fighting game saga that needs no introduction. It was originally developed by SNK and later ported to modern systems by HAMSTER Corporation. This classic franchise underwent a reboot in 2019, with SNK itself handling its development using the Unreal Engine 4. Implementing this modern engine allowed them to perfectly adapt the original game for contemporary times, releasing it on consoles from both the previous and current generations, as well as arcade, PC, and the now-defunct Stadia. Now, we can enjoy it on our mobile devices, whether iOS or Android, via the Netflix app.
“The console version of SAMURAI SHODOWN launched in 2019 and received immense support and acclaim from fighting game fans worldwide. This helped it expand to other platforms (including PC and cloud versions). We are thrilled that SAMURAI SHODOWN is now coming to Android and iOS devices as part of Netflix’s mobile app. We hope everyone enjoys the intense and exciting weapon-based battles, now on their mobile devices!”
Yasuyuki Oda, the game’s Product Chief
How does the mobile version of Samurai Shodown perform?
Graphics and Performance
The first thing worth highlighting is the game’s performance. It’s really well-optimized and runs smoothly, without glitches or frame drops. Of course, this also depends on the hardware you use to run it; it won’t perform the same on a mid-range phone as it does on a high-end device. Nonetheless, my experience was very positive, with only occasional minor delays that didn’t affect the gameplay experience, even though my device isn’t the most powerful. The graphics, however, have seen a significant downgrade, which is understandable given the hardware limitations.
Controls
The aspect that has suffered the most, in my opinion, is the controls. They aren’t bad for a touchscreen setup, but there’s no customization option at all. You can’t change the size or layout of the buttons. The inputs remain the same as in the original versions, featuring a light and heavy weapon attack button, a kick button, and a block button. A skill button has also been added to simplify special moves; simply pressing the button and positioning the stick accordingly executes various moves. While this drastically reduces the complexity of the fights, it’s a welcome feature since executing commands on a touchscreen isn’t as easy as with an analog stick. For special moves, throws, and dodges, you just need to perform gestures on the right side of the screen. I recommend completing the tutorials before playing to get used to these controls. Plus, finishing them unlocks two characters. The biggest downside is that the game doesn’t support Bluetooth controllers. Hopefully, this option will be enabled in future updates.
Game Modes
When it comes to game modes, there’s a battle mode that doesn’t require an internet connection since you play exclusively against the CPU. Within this mode, you can choose between versus, championship (facing all the game’s enemies), survival, and time trial. There’s also a story mode, allowing you to unlock cinematics and other extras as you progress through the plot. Lastly, there’s a practice mode that includes basic tutorials and a training mode where you can customize your opponent’s actions to practice different scenarios. For offline play, this title offers a good variety of options, ensuring enjoyment even without an internet connection.
The online gameplay offers two options. The first is ranked battles, where you face players of similar rank, your exact rank, or any rank, depending on the selected option. This allows experienced players to find worthy opponents more easily, without demoralizing beginner players in the process. The second option is casual matches, which are more customizable. You can create lobbies for up to 10 members and choose the type of match, whether 1vs1 fights or team battles. You can also configure the number of rounds, their duration, the arena, and whether you prefer an elimination or point-based format. Additionally, there’s an online training mode where both players recover health before dying, allowing carefree practice. A nice detail is that while searching for online matches, a little monkey juggling appears on the screen, referencing the same monkey seen during Neo Geo CD’s loading screens.
You can track your personal stats in the database section, whether for online or offline modes. There’s also a leaderboard to view the global statistics of the best players on the server. Lastly, there’s a gallery where you can access videos, illustrations, and character dialogues as you unlock them.
Reception
A few days after Samurai Shodown’s launch on Netflix, the title has already surpassed 100,000 downloads on Android and garnered a similar number on iOS. Overall, its reviews are very positive. The single recurring criticism is the universal disappointment in the lack of Bluetooth controller support.
