Ah,Way of the Samurai. Who doesn’t remember the first time you immersed yourself into a riveting drama between warring factions, forged meaningful bonds with complex characters, then randomly attacked said characters because you wanted their fancy sword?
To celebratethe releaseofKATANA KAMI: A Way of the Samurai Story, let’s voyage down memory lane for a quick refresher on the series.
Way of the Samurai (PlayStation 2, 2002)
The original game introduced an ingenious blend of Bushido Blade and choose your own adventures. You play a nameless rÅnin in 19th century Japan and are free to drastically change the branching storylines with a single decision or wave of your katana. Key moments move time forward, and different events with different characters are happening around the game’s multiple areas, even if you aren’t there to get involved.
There’s a roguelike element where weapons and money you’ve collected carry over to future games, and for completionists, there’s harder difficulties that require you to upgrade your weapons to stand a chance.
Way of the Samurai 2 (PlayStation 2, 2003)
Like any good sequel,Way of the Samurai 2is a prequel. You’re now an even more impoverished rÅnin who literally faints at the start of the game due to hunger. Once you’ve eaten enough rice balls to get back on your feet, a new branching storyline for you to disrupt awaits, as do new weapon techniques, including insta-kills. Everyone loves insta-kills!
Way of the Samurai 3 (PlayStation 3, 2008)
After a five year hiatus, the series returned for the next generation of consoles. The game bolsteredWay of the Samurai‘s signature features with a slew of new mechanics, including NPC partners who can accompany you on your journey, various minigames for doing jobs for the three factions, and a new ranking and unlock system that incentivizes players to be honorable. To that end, a Blunt Attack mode allows you to knock enemies out rather than murder them, should you feel so inclined.
Things also start to get a little weird here, as you can team up with cat-girls and maim enemies with green onions.
Way of the Samurai 4 (PlayStation 3, 2012)
The last main series sequel,Way of the Samurai 4came fully loaded with weapons, customization options, and a streamlined story experience to more easily follow different events and branching paths.
New features included being tortured by three beautiful sisters; Yobai (aka “night crawling”) where players can romance NPCs by sneaking into their homes, physically subduing their families, then finding the right bed; and lastly, night crawling with the three beautiful sisters after they torture you. And you thoughtYakuzawas strange!
KATANA KAMI: A Way of the Samurai Story (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Steam, 2020)
Eight years later, a newWay of the Samuraigame is finally out!KATANA KAMItakes players to Rokkotsu Pass, where three factions vie for control of the region. Over 100 weapons and 9 different fighting styles await you, allowing you to engage in the fast-paced combat however you choose. All the while, you’ll be experiencing the same wacky toneWay of the Samuraifans have come to love, and you’ll even spot some returning fan-favorite characters.
As for what this game does differently,KATANA KAMIintroduces someDiablo-esque dungeon-crawling and monsters to the series. Check out the trailer below!
