Samurai Shodown II is a fighting game released for the Nintendo Wii, known for its vibrant visuals and refined gameplay mechanics. This installment introduced a more serious tone, with characters redesigned for a darker aesthetic. The game features a diverse roster, each with unique fighting styles, and prominent improvements in animation. Players engage in one-on-one battles, emphasizing strategy and timing.
Samurai Shodown III was to be the start of a bold new direction for the franchise.
The most obvious difference between this game and the others in the series is the notably darker aesthetic. The more light-hearted characters (Earthquake, Cham Cham, and Gen-an to name a few) from the previous games have been excised, and even the kabuki master, Kyoshiro Senryo, received a redesign, transforming him from a flamboyant stage performer into a grim-faced, muscular man. All of the characters have been completely redrawn. The animation is very smooth for all characters, another departure from the graphical style of the second game.