Where to get it

1993 · Action · Action-adventure

Second Samurai

Sega console exclusive

At the end of First Samurai, the Demon King was able to flee back in time to ancient Japan, so our hero follows him back in time, and has 10 levels awaiting him. Unlike the original, each world is split into sub-levels, with a boss at the end of each one, emphasising the arcade side of the gameplay, which still combines hacking and slashing with puzzle-solving.

Released: 1993
Platforms: Amiga Sega Genesis Windows
Genres: Action Action-adventure Adventure Beat 'em up Platformer
Developers: —
Publishers: Image Works
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action Fantasy Science fiction Historical
Country: United Kingdom
Languages: English
Time to beat: 1.5hmain story2hcompletionist
Composers: Matt Furniss

About

Second Samurai is a video game released for the Amiga in 1993. It is the sequel to the 1991 game First Samurai. A Mega Drive version was later released in 1994 which features different graphics, sound and level design to the Amiga version.

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The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game includes prehistoric and futuristic levels as well as feudal Japan as in First Samurai. Contact with enemies or falling off the screen (lives are not lost automatically) subtracts one point from the life bar. In the Mega Drive/Genesis version of the game, the Demon King from the first game taunts the player on a black screen when they lose a life with sayings such as "Give up mortal!" and "Going Down!" until the last life is lost.

Development

Following the success of First Samurai, Mev Dinc was interested in developing 'a sequel to end all sequels'. The concept of having two samurai to choose from was established early on. Psygnosis put forward an appealing offer for both the Amiga and Sega Mega Drive versions, to which Vivid Image gladly agreed.

Development for the game was going smoothly, and plans were even in place to release a Mega-CD version alongside the Mega Drive. In 1993 however, Sony acquired Psygnosis as part of their ramp-up for the PlayStation and mandated that existing console projects be cancelled. Vivid Image was able to negotiate a settlement, allowing the release of the Mega Drive version, and a full payout. The Mega-CD version was never released.