於2001年在Neo Geo街機基板（MVS）及家用主機（AES）上推出的《戰國傳承 2001》（Sengoku 3 / 戦国伝承 2001），是該系列的第三部作品，也是SNK 在破產重組動盪時期委託Noise Factory開發的動作過關遺作。本作與前兩作那種詭譎、頻繁切換時空的靈異感完全不同，它將遊戲重心轉向極致流暢的連段格鬥系統，以精美的點陣人設與如格鬥遊戲般的打擊感，被公認為Neo Geo平台上橫向捲軸動作遊戲的技術巔峰。

在技術表現上，超越前作，展現21世紀初2D點陣繪圖的極致水準。角色比例宏大且動作幀數極高，揮刀時的殘影與碰撞火花細膩無比。捨棄前作隨時變身的系統，改為四位初始角色與兩位隱藏角色的固定編制，每位角色皆擁有完整的招式表。背景音樂融合現代電子與傳統和樂，曲風激昂而具現代感，場景則從現代日本街頭延伸至神祕古城與異界。在3D遊戲已成主流的年代，以純粹2D暴力美學證明Neo Geo硬體的持久生命力。

故事背景設定在現代，當傳說中的黃泉魂再度覺醒，企圖將災厄與妖魔散播至世界各地時，隸屬神秘組織的當代忍者挺身而出。主角「影連（Kagetsura）」與同伴——擅長投擲的長矛手「金剛」、擅長快速斬擊的女忍者「紅」、以及使用重型武裝的「影丸」——必須跨全球掃蕩妖魔。在劇情中盤，原為敵對勢力的強大武士「阿國」與「白鬼」也加入隊伍。這是一場封印遠古邪惡、守護現世秩序的硬派忍者冒險，將戰國宿命延續到2001年。

在操作上，進行徹底革新，深度足以媲美對戰格鬥遊戲。極限連段系統（Combo System）是核心，可利用輕攻擊、重攻擊與投擲技無縫銜接，搭配方向鍵輸入打出空連、地連及破防技，畫面右方即時顯示 Hit 數，鼓勵玩家追求最高擊殺效率。忍術計量表（Ninja Arts）提供三段能量槽，從消耗一格的小型清場技到消耗三格的全銀幕大絕招，需在雜兵戰與Boss戰間精確分配能量。角色雖無法變身，但能隨時在拔刀與收刀狀態切換攻擊模式：拔刀距離長威力大，收刀則能施展更多投擲與近身格鬥技，使單一角色的遊玩深度遠超前作。

在市場上獲得高度評價，被譽為動作遊戲愛好者必玩的經典。評論家一致讚賞其無與倫比的打擊感，認為它是Neo Geo上手感最接近《格鬥天王》的過關遊戲。Noise Factory將格鬥遊戲精髓完美注入橫向過關領域，使本作即便多年後仍具高度競技性與觀賞性。

市場普遍認為，本作是2D橫向捲軸的最後輝煌。雖然有玩家懷念前作隨意變身的奇幻氛圍，但多數認可三代在系統穩定度與爽快感上的質變。由於發售於SNK最艱困時期，產量稀少，實體卡帶價格極高，但其在動作遊戲史上的地位無可置疑。它是對忍者與劍鬥主題的完美總結，也是每位硬派動作遊戲玩家心中不可錯過的藝術精品。

Released in 2001 for the Neo Geo arcade system (MVS) and home console (AES), Sengoku 3 / 戦国伝承 2001 is the third installment in the series and represents a late-period side-scrolling action masterpiece commissioned by SNK during its bankruptcy and restructuring era, developed by Noise Factory. Unlike its predecessors, which emphasized a surreal, frequently time-shifting atmosphere, this installment shifted its focus to an ultra-fluid combo-based combat system, featuring exquisite pixel art and a striking, fighting-game-style sense of impact, and is widely regarded as a technical pinnacle of side-scrolling action games on the Neo Geo platform.

Technically, Sengoku 3 surpasses its predecessors, demonstrating the peak of early-21st-century 2D pixel graphics. Character proportions are larger, animation frames are smoother, and attack afterimages and collision sparks are rendered with extraordinary detail. The previous “on-demand transformation” system was replaced with a fixed roster of four starting characters plus two hidden characters, each with a complete set of unique moves. The soundtrack combines modern electronic music with traditional Japanese instruments, producing a dramatic, contemporary feel, while environments range from modern Japanese streets to mysterious castles and otherworldly landscapes. At a time when 3D games had become mainstream, this title proved that the Neo Geo could still deliver pure 2D action spectacle at the highest level.

The story is set in the modern era. When the legendary Yomi Soul awakens again, threatening to spread disaster and demons across the world, a group of contemporary ninjas from a secret organization rises to confront the evil. The protagonist, Kagetsura, along with his allies—Kongo, a spear specialist; Benihime, a fast-striking female ninja; and Kagemaru, a heavily armed combatant—must traverse the globe to purge the demonic threat. Midway through the story, former enemies Okuni and Shiro Oni join the team. This narrative depicts a hardcore ninja adventure to seal ancient evil and protect the present world, extending the Sengoku saga into 2001.

Gameplay underwent a complete overhaul, reaching a depth comparable to fighting games. The Combo System is the core mechanic: players can seamlessly chain light attacks, heavy attacks, and throws, using directional inputs to execute aerial combos, ground combos, and guard-breaking techniques. The Hit counter on-screen encourages players to maximize their efficiency. The Ninja Arts gauge provides three energy levels for executing techniques ranging from single-bar crowd-clearing moves to full-screen cinematic ultimate attacks, requiring careful energy management between standard enemy encounters and boss battles. While characters no longer transform, players can switch between drawn blade and sheathed blade modes: drawn blade grants longer reach and higher power, while sheathed blade allows a variety of throws and close-combat attacks, greatly increasing each character’s gameplay depth.

Sengoku 3 received widespread critical acclaim and is considered a must-play classic for action game enthusiasts. Critics praised its unparalleled sense of impact, claiming it is the Neo Geo side-scroller that feels closest to the tactile satisfaction of a fighting game. Noise Factory successfully integrated fighting-game principles into a side-scrolling action framework, making the game remain highly competitive and visually impressive even years later.

The game is widely regarded as the final pinnacle of 2D side-scrolling action. While some players nostalgically miss the previous games’ whimsical transformations, most recognize that the third installment significantly improved system stability and gameplay satisfaction. Released during SNK’s most difficult period, physical copies were rare and highly valuable, but its place in action game history is indisputable. Sengoku 3 serves as the ultimate celebration of the ninja-and-sword theme and remains an unmissable masterpiece for any fan of hardcore action games.