That's a title that hasn't aged well. Bland, boring, unresponsive gameplay will make you regret this purchase.
First and foremost the background stages are the most annoying thing in the game, there are times where your character will get caught behind a plant or something ( as in Hattori Hanzo's stage) for example, and you won't be able to see what your character or your enemy is doing.
The fact that I could not find anywhere within the game a list of moves for the characters is simply ridiculous, so I was left trying the good old quarter circle motion moves.
Gameplay wise, maybe it's me, but I noticed that some moves will connect and then all of a sudden the enemy will block it, the animation of the defense its irritating as it will not let you retaliate in time, the same goes for that annoying animation for when the character becomes red, I'm trying to hit back my opponent but I can't cause the dumb character is to busy acting like a moran flexing his muscles and turning red.
SS II does have some interesting ideas, pity they haven't been applied in a smart way, so in conclusion, there are a lot more enjoyable titles in the market place for 800 points if you're after an old school fighter, and if you're a samurai shodown fan, I suggest getting later titles.