Really beautiful artwork! Just wish the gameplay had a bit more depth to it.

good concept, very good use of theme and beautiful artwork. I liked it over all

This reminds me of a mini-game in Kirby Superstar! Fantastic artwork and a well done difficulty curve, but the setup feels like it moves a bit too slow.

I actually made a timing minigame for my jam, but didn't have enough time to put it in. I really like this one. Especially the art style. Absolutely amazing.

Nice graphic. However, there is a bug where after you are being struck (dead), hit Z again and he raises his sword...

gorgeous artwork

Well presented, and right on the mark for the theme. Good tension before the strike - nice use of sound cues.

Oooh I like that. You used the theme well (and I'm not saying that because we went a similar path with my teammate ;) !) : it's at the core of your gameplay.
The gameplay lacks a bit of depth, as other said. A single QTE probably isn't enough to keep people entertained for a while.
The art direction is nice. Your animation lacks a bit of punch : the timings should show more contrast (slow lift of the sword, hold and extremely fast hit).
The start screen also is too slow and could be seen as a constraint by players.

Anyway, I wish you the best.
Cheers,
nathan

I love the art style. The idea of the game is simple and yet effective. This is awesome.

Neat idea. :)

Nice artworks. It would be even better if the animation was a bit more developped. And the more you kill enemies, the more you wait. A little viariation of tempo should be enough to make this game addictive !
Nice work !

amazing artwork!

The response to my pressing Z felt a bit delayed which made me wonder if I'd gotten it within the time boundaries which is awesome because it adds to the tension of the big reveal after the slicing. It is also a gorgeous game. Very well done!

Also, I don't mean to be a grammar nazi but "Strike as they raise* their blades."

Awesome!

Wonderful art, great mood! The game really tests your patience :) The audio sets the mood right, but it is somewhat repetitive.

The graphics and audio really complimented the gameplay! I would've loved some more depth in the swordplay though, maybe in the form of feints or different stances or something.

The mood in this game really was top-tier.

Very artistic, nice feeling that the art is ink on paper.
BTW if you want to make the game available in the browser, just copy the [download] link from dropbox and remove everything after "?".
Like this: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5s3i6ull1idsntb/One%20Strike.swf

Reminds me a lot of the mechanics of Samurai Shodown, only way more minimalist! Love a good duel game.
I think you could have add depth without giving up on the simplicity though.
As an animator, I would have tried a more subtile take on the "waiting" phase of the samurai's animation, maybe just one pose, completely still, some wind in the clothes, and just a bit of animated background to add tension.
When I lost again myself (I suppose I was the samurai who slaughtered my village)I didn't have the motivation to start all over again, you could have make every warrior defeated a checkpoint.
Hope to see your work for the next LD!

Very beautiful game. I love the art style a lot. The gameplay is simple but efficient, but what I like the most is the "mood" of your game (5/5 for me!)

I like the graphics style!! :D