Official Score
Overall - 60%
60%
It’s not like this title has exceptionally long legs; the credits will roll in Sclash in a little more than an hour. For a game at this price point, it doesn’t quite have the staying power required to justify the price of admission.
Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge’s Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?
Sclash Review
Set in a different world a long time ago, Sclash puts the spotlight on the samurai Jinmu. Looking to make a name for himself in Aki village, he takes the fight to the Natsu clan and their leader Amaterasu as the latest recruit Jinmu under the guidance of Susanoo and their almighty god Tengu. However, Jinmu comes to realize that things aren’t quite what they seem.
It’s a bit of a cliche story with the usual beats that players can see coming from a mile away, it simply serves as window dressing for the action of this title and nothing more. At the very least, the art style makes a compelling case to keep engaged – even if the voice acting leaves something to be desired.
As players set off on their journey for the truth, one will quickly realize that one needs to be methodical in their strikes. One is able to end things quickly by parrying, dodging, and parrying oncoming attacks with precise windows of opportunity for a counterattack of their own.
However, much like the Soulsborne games we have all come to know and love, Sclash also has a stamina meter one needs to track. If actions are interrupted by a kick, Jinmu will find himself at a distinct disadvantage as he scrambles for his life. However, one can turn the tables by doing a punch or kick of their own to throw opponents for a loop – just the thing to get an edge in battle.
This might sound like a lot to manage, but the end result comes down to timing and reflexes. Fighting games are all about reading your opponent and planning accordingly, and Sclash boils this down to its most basic elements. The suite of options is paired down a considerable amount – almost to an extreme. We’re not looking to do Drive Rushes or Roman Cancels, but it feels like it still needs something a little more. We do realize this is a single-player narrative adventure, but a bit more folds to the formula would have gone a long way.
It’s not like this title has exceptionally long legs; the credits will roll in Sclash in a little more than an hour. For a game at this price point, it doesn’t quite have the staying power required to justify the price of admission.
Sclash offers an interesting concept that boils action down to its most basic elements, but its cliche story and short runtime make it an easy pass.
