Way of the Samurai

 PlayStation 2
Way of the Samurai Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

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  • Summary: Sword-based combat is at the heart of Way of the Samurai. As the adventure begins, the player has his own sword and basic knowledge of its use in battle. As he moves through the game, the player become more adept at using his sword and learns new attacks. The player also has the ability toSword-based combat is at the heart of Way of the Samurai. As the adventure begins, the player has his own sword and basic knowledge of its use in battle. As he moves through the game, the player become more adept at using his sword and learns new attacks. The player also has the ability to pick up dozens of different sword, each representing a different fighting style. With attacks specific to each sword, it requires a true samurai to master all the swords and their individual attacks. Additionally, sword combat is not simply a matter of hacking and slashing. Timing, blocking and balance all play equally important roles. [BAM! Entertaiment]… Expand
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Way of the Samurai Movie 7

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. GameCritics
    95
    Unlike many other games that take a linear non-interactive approach, Way Of The Samurai is immersive and interactive every step of the way.
  2. GameZone
    85
    Acquire did an outstanding job with the storyline of this game.
  3. Media and Games Online Network
    82
    The way in which your character develops is refreshing for this type of game, even though the visuals and sound presentation are little more than mediocre.
  4. Total Video Games
    70
    I will continue to praise the open ended mechanics of the game though, as I said before, it’s sweet when you are not bounded simply because “you aren’t suppose to go there”.
  5. PSM Magazine
    70
    It has unusually charming gameplay, and lots of atmospheric mileage despite cut-rate production values. [July 2002, p.39]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    70
    Samurai's unique but ultimately clunky combat system avoids repititious button-mashing with parry-and-dodge techniques that keep you on your toes. [August 2002, p.130]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. XenGamers
    50
    Thanks to a ludicrous save scheme, once you start, you had better not stop until you reach the end.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. jkvasn
    Apr 14, 2014
    10
    This is truly an underrated gem. There are put-offs, but It has the most solid combat I have ever seen.

    The first installment is - hands    This is truly an underrated gem. There are put-offs, but It has the most solid combat I have ever seen.

    The first installment is - hands down - the best one in the series. Its sequels subtract from the fun and add to the boring. They totally miss the point. IT WAS A FUN ACTION GAME and they're trying to make it into some fetch-quest crap!

    The combat feels amazing and fluid - unlike hack-n-slashers, each opponent you face puts you in a state of great focus and concentration as you try to time inputs just right and pull off certain moves in a sequence ALL WHILE CONSIDERING YOUR ENVIRONMENT. Different swords grant different fighting styles - which are fun to experiment with and see what suits you best.

    It plays very similar to a 2d arcade fighter (joystick movement > button) which grants versatility. Once you get the hang of things IT'S SO FLUID! There's recovery attacks for when you're on the ground, attacks that cover a distance, attacks that have good crowd control, etc.. This may sound pretty standard, but this game does it the best. your enemies aren't paper - they have just as much fight as you do. This challenge grants more satisfaction when you defeat an opponent.

    CONS:

    The difficulty and unforgivingness would turn a lot of people off I think - heck it really turned me off. There's permi-death and you lose all your gear. This sucks, so I got into the habit of copying my save onto a second memory card :P. I also used cheats for sanity's sake (health, sword durability, etc) as well as other tricks.

    The music is REALLY GOOD. Composed by the same guy who wrote the Rurouni Kenshin score.

    I know every kid want's to grow up and make viddeygames - but if I were to ever produce a game, it would be an attempt to polish this diamond in the rough and bring a true action sword brawler to the masses. But until then, the only way to experience that is to play this game.    … Expand
  2. PeterA.
    Aug 24, 2002
    10
    Very good game..it's a must buy for those of you who like sword fighting.
  4. RandomSlasher
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    A great game in every way! So many possibilities mixed with a great storyline give this game loads of replay. It's also addictive when A great game in every way! So many possibilities mixed with a great storyline give this game loads of replay. It's also addictive when you try to get all the swords available or boost a sword to its maximum strength. Music is pretty good and the 3D is quite decent. In short, to anyone who has the time for this game, I highly recommend it.… Expand
  5. GameExpert
    Oct 8, 2002
    9
    VERY GOOD, I really enjoy this game despite it's a little bit short. If the story can be longer and the bigger area, it'll be perfect !!!
  6. SnakeSolid
    Dec 2, 2002
    9
    I liked this game very much becuse I´am a samurai maniac. The game was very short, and I didn´t liked that. I want them to do I liked this game very much becuse I´am a samurai maniac. The game was very short, and I didn´t liked that. I want them to do another samurai game, but in that game they shouldn´t talk so much like in this game. … Expand
  7. Fisool_88
    Sep 25, 2022
    8
    A refreshing experience that's ahead of it's time when it comes to storytelling. The combat is deep and complex, the story and it's mechanicsA refreshing experience that's ahead of it's time when it comes to storytelling. The combat is deep and complex, the story and it's mechanics are fantastic.… Expand
  8. shootingstars99
    Aug 13, 2019
    1
    Coming from someone who loves a game with a stellar combat system, sadly this game is not it. The controls feel clunky, and that they wantedComing from someone who loves a game with a stellar combat system, sadly this game is not it. The controls feel clunky, and that they wanted to make their own adventure style take on 'Bushido Blade', and reinvent the wheel in regards to the control scheme. The story is bland and uninteresting to follow, and combine that with the fact that the combat has no real stand out to it, and in fact seems a little odd with how it is non-intuitive at first, this is neither a hidden gem nor a cult classic, just another game in a sea of half baked action games of yesterday, overshadowed by games that have stood the test of time. Way of the Samurai is about as cool as the part in the code of Bushido that says "only a man can truly satisfy another man".… Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Best PS2 Game of 2002
72
#72 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
61
#61 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002