Way of the Samurai

"You pick, you choose, you rule!"

Wayward journey...

Well well well, this game is quite different and very much addictive! Why is that? I say it's due to the fact that you can pick and choose your way and it all depends on you. Also by doing this determines your outcome. Whatever that outcome may be. Way Of The Samurai is a semi-free roaming game. This means you can roam around as you please but you have a limited area. This limited areas consists of where your adventure takes you, and that is a s far as you can go. So the year is 1879 and is the end of an era. The era of the mighty samurai. You play in the final days of the samurai as a samurai and must use your sharp mind as well as your blade to get you through. So are you going to run and hide or die with honor?

The Way Of The Samurai...

Yes you are a dying breed and with your trusty sword you are nothing short from the book of the Hagakure. A true samurai with true ways of honor. The Way Of The Samurai is a multi-path game which mean certain actions and/or decisions you make effect the story greatly and thus determines a whole different ending. The fun thing about this game is the many different endings you do get. The only problem with this game is that you can probably finish it within a half hour to an hour. This may sound insane because it's a little to short. I know this is some gamers nightmare, playing a game and playing it and it turns out to be awesome and then you are already finished before you get warmed up. How does this game make up for it? Well simple, it's highly addictive. Also while this game does not have a whole lot of content the fighting system is pretty expansive, it's 1-2 players and there are many items and sword upgrades to enhance each play through.

Samurai Showdown...

Let me put it this way. The more you play Way Of The Samurai the more you figure out and the better you get at it. Believe me, it's being to short is the only thing that kept this game from getting a 10. I usually don't grade games like that personally but I try to grade them on a grand scale and what the people see. And for many this can be a problem, but the score didn't come down to much because of the fact that this game is super fun and addictive. There are literally a couple hundred different techniques and a boat load of swords with different strengths and weaknesses. Each weapon has the possibility of breaking so you must be careful as to how much you exert yourself in combat. You can be the good guy or the bad guy by either doing whats right or just picking a fight with some unfortunate soul, or maybe you turn out to be the unfortunate one.

Samurai Sword...

Since you can't level up like most RPG's, your sword is your key to success. The better your sword the better you are off in combat, this is the system in which this game follows. You can also collect money in which you can go to the blacksmith and have your sword cranked up in different attributes which I will not reveal. Also, different swords have different movements and techniques!

Samurai Beauty...

Although it's not to in depth...really not that in depth at all but from the start you can choose your character from a selection. It's pretty nifty and adds to the content which makes up for game length.

Honor By Way Of Death...

There is also a really cool two player feature where you can battle with a friend or heck even face off against the computer to put you to the test. Not a bad feature considering the combat system is pretty neat with the swordplay.

Zen...

The graphics are pretty cool. For an older game they aren't bad at all. While the environments serve their purpose, there isn't really to much more that could have been done. If so, it wouldn't be Way Of The Samurai anymore.

Drums of War...

The music and sound effects are top notch and couldn't have been done any better if you ask me.

A Well Oiled Machine...

The controls are tight and responsive, that is all!

A Dying Breed...

Considering the huge let down that the game is SHORT! You have to come to reason with it. How could this game do if it were longer? I don't think well in any case. And the reason why I think this is because the longer you make a game that is a multi-path, the more difficult it becomes to try and figure out the differences and changes in story. Because if it were long it would be drawn out to far...know where I am going with this?

Samurai Food For Thought...

I thought this game was amazing. Even though I rated it pretty well it is still not for everyone. I recommend you rent it first to check it out and heck you might even be satisfied with just that.

-Happy Gaming!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/24/06