Sengoku Basara 4

Universal mechanics

Every character moves with the analog stick. Tapping a direction twice will make the character enter a dashing state, which will last as long as you hold the direction and never return to neutral, use a move, or get hit. Jumping during this state, even if it's immediately after dashing, will make character go further and faster than a normal jump would take them.

By pressing L1, a character will block. This prevents damage so long as it doesn't break through repeatedly being hit or blocking especially strong moves. Blocking just before being hit will perform a Parry, doing damage and potentially staggering/knocking enemies down, allowing for a follow-up combo. Specific enemies and bosses in general can utilize this as well.

By holding L1 and tapping a direction, characters do a semi-invincible evade/roll animation in the direction you tapped. Doing this with proper timing can enter an enemies defense and even bypass certain attacks. New to Sengoku Basara 4, performing it at the last second, similar to a Parry, will trigger a "Detect"^[3] which has a different animation and maneuvers you around an attacking opponent.

Combat system

By pressing and continuing to press square, every character does a string of basic attacks, often referred to as a "square string". The amount of hits, as well as potential properties to each of these attacks, differ on a per-character basis, but every character can general cancel any one of the hits into one of their many special moves. These special skills come in the form of several different inputs. Every character has one tied to the following; Triangle, Direction + Triangle, R1, L1/Guard+Triangle, and by holding the Square button. The names change on a per-character basis, as do what they actually do, and their properties, much like the square string. Depending on the character, some moves can also be done in the air, and may have different effects when used here as well.^[4]

Each character also has 'Secret' skill tied to the R2 button. In the two previous installments, the player would select one between three total skills before a battle. New to Sengoku Basara 4, the player can now switch between them on the fly with by holding L1 and pressing R2.^[5] The name of the secret skill currently equipped is also shown on the HUD above the players health bar.

A super move also exists. By pressing Circle when the Basara gauge, found right below the health bar, is full, the character will perform a unique sequence of movements and attacks. This move, called a BASARA, is very damaging and can be used in both crowd control or boss fight scenarios. Players fill the Basara gauge by hitting enemies, getting hit, performing long combos, picking up items that fill the gauge manually, taunting, or by letting it refill over time when dangerously low on health. The character is fully invincible during the move until it ends. Enemy generals no longer have access to these moves like in the previous game.

Another gauge on screen, the Style Gauge, is filled only by combos and specific items, and the rate at which it fills is increased by how large your combo is. When it's full, a player can press L1+R1 and enter Stylish Climax, a mode similar to Sengoku Drive or Hero Time found in previous titles. When active, time slows slightly and the player gains a lot of strength, making it useful in many possible places. As a bonus, utilizing a Basara during this mode turns it into an Stylish Basara for drastically increased damage.

Additional benefits of the combat system come from the Dash and Evade mechanics. Certain characters can cancel specific moves with these mechanics, though which of the two is another specific thing, allowing for much more comboability in certain scenarios. Kanbei, a slow and combo unfriendly character from first glance, benefits from this exceptionally, allowing much longer combo strings through the use of this mechanic.