Way of the Samurai 2

"A solid, completely non-linear experience."

Way of the Samurai 2 drops you into the fictional town of Amahara in the late Edo period (probably the 1860's). Amahara is a trading hub that is allowed to govern itself without interference from the Shogun, full of local flavor and exotic foreigners. You play as a nameless samurai who becomes entwined in the local intrigues. There's a powerful new drug being used in Amahara, a deep-seated rivalry between the magistrates (police force) and the local Aoto gang, the Shogun himself has taken an interest in Amahara, and plenty more. The only limitations are what you decide to do, and what not to do.

Graphics: 7/10.
The graphics struck me as very fitting for the time period the game takes place in. You'll see a lot of the same character model over and over, which can be a little monotonous, but it's a pretty minor thing. Some of the backgrounds are a tad bland, but not so much that you'll be screaming for change. Some of the combat motions look a little forced or choppy. But overall, the graphics help enhance the experience, not detract from it. The drawbacks to the graphics are all fairly minor and forgettable, but they prevent the game from excelling in the graphics department.

Sound: 8/10.
The music is, like the graphics, very well suited for the era. You'll hear a lot of Japanese stringed instruments that set the ambience very well. Some of the music is out of place (the combat music, most notably), but most of it is quite fitting and helps to set the mood.

Storyline: 8/10.
This is the kind of storyline you either love or hate: you make your own. There's really no set path you are required to follow. You can either be a gang member, a magistrate, you can work for the townspeople, you can be an impartial spectator, or many, many other combinations. Some people aren't too keen on this because the open-endedness can lead to some confusion in advancing the plot. I admit, the game does not give you a lot in the way of hints to find out what you need to do to achieve what ending. However, I enjoyed figuring things out for myself and discovering what path to take to become, say, a friend of the townspeople. The "choose your own adventure" style of game play is really hit-or-miss. If you aren't fond of this sort of story-driven game play, Way of the Samurai 2 may not be right for you. However, if you like forging your own path, this game is at least worth a shot.

Game play: 9/10.
This is where Way of the Samurai 2 really shines. There's a fair deal of story-driven choices you must make, but ultimately, the game comes down to being able to defeat whatever opponent gets thrown at you. You're given a huge array of swords to choose from and collect (a huge bonus for you completionist nuts out there), all of which are unique in regards to attack power, defense, how your character wields that sword (there are seven total stances for swords), and upgrading potential. Way of the Samurai 2 also introduces the instant-kill method, which allows you to quickly dispatch lesser foes. However, if you feel this reduces the challenge, it's a simple matter to not utilize it. The combat isn't quite as in-depth as the original Way of the Samurai (the push-pull combat and some of the more complicated combos are replaced in favor of the instant-kill system), but it's still enough to take hold of anyone's attention, at least for a little while.

Replayability: 9/10.
There's just no way you can play through this game one time and get the full experience. A single playthrough doesn't take that much time to complete, which is where replaying comes in. The more times you replay the game, the more extra features you can unlock, like new outfits, character models, and even accessories for your samurai to wear. Also, when you restart your game, you are allowed to take any swords you had collected in your previous playthrough with you again, so that sword you spent a boatload of cash and time on won't be going to waste. With the impressive amount of endings, opportunities to collect swords, and just explore Amahara to find out more about what's going on, replaying this game is a core feature that you absolutely cannot miss out on if you want the full experience.

Overall: 9/10.
I really enjoyed this game when I got it a year ago, and I still do. The time it takes to obtain all the hard-to-find swords and secrets in the game can be, at times, frustrating, but I find it's well worth it. Way of the Samurai 2 offers a rich, deeply involved experience that you can really sink your teeth into. If you're looking for a game that offers some fun combat, a storyline you create as you advance, and plenty of extras just waiting to be discovered, give Way of the Samurai 2 a shot.

Pros:
-Great replayability.
-Tons of tidbits for completionists.
-Ever-changing storyline helps keep you invested in what happens next.
-Combat can be quite challenging for those seeking a tough fight.
-Great feudal Japanese feel and ambience.
-Totally non-linear.

Cons:
-Differences between Way of the Samurai 2 and the original may not be the direction players wanted the series to take.
-Completely open storyline might make some players frustrated when not presented with obvious story arcs.
-Instant kill system may be viewed as unfair.
-Load times can be frustrating.
-Size of playable area might be too small for some players.
-Camera can be an annoyance at times.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this review helps you decide on whether or not you decide to give Way of the Samurai 2 a go!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/08/07