The Samurai Shodown V game is set in 1786 and takes place during the summer months. The story follows the samurai as they face various foes and enemies in a quest for honor and revenge. The game's Japanese title, Samurai Spirits Zero , reflects its position as a prequel to the series.
The gameplay of Samurai Shodown V has been altered from previous games. The Slash/Bust system is no longer present, and each character now only has one version or a similar setup. The basic moves have been modeled after the first games in the series, consisting of three types of slashes, a single kick, and various dodge maneuvers.
The game features 24 characters, including some new faces in the familiar cast. One notable aspect is that it is not possible to kill your opponent in Samurai Shodown V . The gameplay focuses on combos, sidestepping, and fatalities, which have been revamped for this installment.
Samurai Shodown V was released in 1993 for the Neo Geo AES console.