The graphics for Bushido Blade 2 are done well. The characters seem to have a higher polygon count this time around, but they seem to come at the expense of the backgrounds. In the original version, the backgrounds were vast playfields that could be explored. In the heat of combat, players could run into a new area (after a brief load time) and enter a whole new locale.

Bushido Blade 2 is noticeably dumbed down from its outstanding original. Sadly, all the elements that made Bushido Blade outstanding and ground breaking have been thrown out to make the sequel more “arcade-like.” Gone is the Honor in the game (hitting an opponent only when they are ready), gone are the damaged legs (players would have to crawl when their legs took too much damage), and gone is the spirit that is Bushido Blade.

Fairly easy. The key is finding what weapon works best for you. The game also has unlimited continues.

Bushido Blade 2 has been weakened to only two basic slash attacks. As I stated before, the Code of Honor has been tossed out, so just go freaking nuts on your opponent when they least expect it. Smash some buttons. Want to win real easily? Climb up to a higher level and just slash your opponent as they climb up after you (which you couldn’t do in the original -- the game would end because you fought without “honor”). Also, throwing mud/sand/water in your opponents’ eyes is fair game this time around, so you might as well do some of that too. Bushido Blade 2 isn’t a bad game by any means. In fact, it’s pretty decent -- but this ain’t no Bushido Blade. If Square had released this same exact game under another title, I would have given it a higher score.