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Image credit: Night Eyes Interactive
I’m a huge fan of games that truly bring the deadliness of swords to life. First Cut: Samurai Duel seems to be precisely what I’ve been looking for. It’s a 2D sidescrolling swordfighter where every blow means immediate death, and it’s set to be released on January 17th.
The release date announcement came with a pixel-filled, blood-soaked trailer:
First Duel: Samurai Duel release date trailer.
When it comes to 2D swordfighting games, the obvious comparison is Nidhogg, which also had a similarly deadly approach to combat. However, First Cut appears to offer a different level of control by allowing you to smoothly shift your sword higher or lower using your mouse. If you can’t wait for the full release, the original free game is still available on Itch and definitely worth checking out.
While your fighter’s moveset includes a dodge and a shove, the focus is primarily on parrying your enemy’s attacks and finding the right moment to strike. The Steam page for the full release also mentions a variety of game modes, such as survival, a scenario campaign, and local multiplayer.
Nidhogg is the most obvious comparison, but the more realistic fighters and setting of First Cut also remind me of the ’90s cult fighting game Bushido Blade. It featured instant death within a 3D world and is definitely worth a mention.
In my opinion, Nidhogg and its sequel never received the attention they deserved. Perhaps First Cut will be the game that finally popularizes the true deadliness of swords.