Way of the Samurai

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
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  1. 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 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.
  2. AndyE.
    Jun 15, 2002
    9
    I have always been into "samurai" games like this. It is fun to discover the different things that tou are able to do. It may be a complaint to some, but I like how you are only given one life. This game is the most realistic I have come across.
  3. PeterA.
    Aug 24, 2002
    10
    Very good game..it's a must buy for those of you who like sword fighting.
  4. 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 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    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
  5. 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 another samurai game, but in that game they shouldn´t talk so much like in this game.
  6. 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 !!!
  7. [Anonymous]
    Jun 27, 2002
    8
    This game is xtremely realistic and its great but when you dont have enough money to pay the blacksmith he goes and tries to kill you. And that's pretty tupid.
  8. Neverender69
    Sep 3, 2020
    10
    This was a fantastic game.

    It was such a unique game for me to play back when I went to my friends house & played it. You're thrown into something that is akin to a old Japanese samurai story from back in the day. A lone wanderer that is thrust in the middle of feuding clans. All while the government is trying to end the era of the samurai. You can choose your side, or chose to    This was a fantastic game.

    It was such a unique game for me to play back when I went to my friends house & played it.

    You're thrown into something that is akin to a old Japanese samurai story from back in the day.

    A lone wanderer that is thrust in the middle of feuding clans. All while the government is trying to end the era of the samurai.

    You can choose your side, or chose to avoid the entire conflict.
    I'd never played a game that gives you such options back then.

    Plus the gameplay was A+ stuff. It was so fun learning the sword techniques & learning how to best combat each style.

    Characters were very cool & interesting as well!

    If you're into old Japanese movies, then you will love playing this.

    It has very solid replay value, multiple ending & offers a wide variety of ways to go about finding those endings.

    I give this game a 10 & the highest recommendation for those that love a good samurai story.    … Expand
  9. 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 mechanics are fantastic.
  10. Haydenleej
    Feb 16, 2023
    10
    This game is super underrated. In a world where we don’t get many samurai games I can’t believe people underrate this series so much. The only reason this game gets bad reviews is because of reviewers that probably couldn’t understand the permadeath system.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. GameSpot
    71
    Short and doesn't look like much, but it's an unusual game that can be a lot of fun.
    Read full review
  2. PSM Magazine
    70
    It has unusually charming gameplay, and lots of atmospheric mileage despite cut-rate production values. [July 2002, p.39]
  3. IGN
    78
    Some players may be turned off by the game's simple looks and occasionally cumbersome control, but sticking with Way of the Samurai reveals considerable depth.
    Read full review
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