Bushido Blade developers went on to work on the Kengo series, which at the time, seemed a step towards a more arcade gameplay and i didn't like the approach so i didn't try them out. Square broke their relationship with the developers, so they worked for a smaller publisher and probably that's why Kengo games didn't get as noticed.
About Bushido Blade making a comeback, i'd be a very very happy person if that happened but it had to maintain the original's system. Hell, back in PS1 days, i understand they had a hard time making a huge free-roaming village like they intended (it was broken into parts, it had to load each one) but nowadays it should be easier. Yeah, Way of the Samurai is an alternative but i didn't get around to try it either, what a shame.
I don't know why Square didn't invest more not only in this series but also in the Tobal series. Unlike the second Bushido Blade, which probably had the finger of Square trying to make it more accessible to gamers who still didn't understand it was more of a sword fighting simulator instead of your usual beat'em up with power bars and all, they changed the sword control scheme from the low-medium-high blows into horizontal-vertical, a bit like Soul Blade, but without the kick button. And that parry button was a strange addition. The fact that your character wouldn't get his knees busted was strange too.
As for Tobal, which i am taking the chance to introduce in this thread, the second was a masterpiece and it's one of the best beat'em ups ever. The Quest Mode alone is a true argument for it being considered by me as a top 5 contender for best beat'em up. Bushido Blade 2 managed to get its way to US and even with a translataion already made they didn't bother to take it over to EU. Tobal 2 never got an official translation and years after, when confronted with the outrageous decision not to bring this game out of Japan, Square responded that the translation costs were too high. Strangely enough, the game warranted so much attention from fans that it made its way onto emulators and amazingly enough, a fan-made translated copy of the game is available for thos who wished for their lives to try this game without going through 5 to 10 years of japanese learning.
Strange times indeed for Square, who didn't publish the highly anticipated Final Fantasy Tactics in EU or even Valkyrie Profile. Americans may not have noticed too much (only Tobal 2) but Square has always taken in very poor consideration its european fans. Getting back on topic, i dont' see any other explanation for the Bushido Blade guys not to continue with that series under a new developer either than the fact that it's a brand copyrighted by Square and only under their belt could they continue making it. And with the indifference demonstranted by Square (and not only with that series, as you can see), i wouldn't hold my breath and i'd be very wary if it was ever announced a new one because it would most certainly be made by total strangers to the series.
Oh well, Square fans might as well help them milk those juicy Final Fantasy cows!!!!!!
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