Way of the Samurai 3

As it is, it’s a fascinating combination of different gameplay elements, and it works surprisingly well. Anyone who likes swordfighting, the freedom of an open-world, and the opportunity to shape a story would be well-advised to pick it up.

Not for everyone. Way of the Samurai 3 is positively different from other sword fighters, but its RPG elements might be too much for some players to bear, even those wanting to experience the combat.

You have to really be in love with the central design concept Samurai 3 is built on to appreciate what this game is and isn't. If you aren't sold on having your choices carry with you for the rest of the game, this game is likely going to collect dust on your shelf.

The graphics, exploration, and swordfights all feel dated, but those with patience and a love of story will find this immensely rewarding. [Jan 2010, p.85]

With limited areas to explore, some mediocre combat mechanics and a hit-or-miss impact from your actions, it's hard to recommend it without pause. If you're really into the setting and want to play around with cause and effect, you might find something interesting here. Just don't expect it to be the GTA of feudal Japan.

Way of the Samurai 3 is a great idea that is just lost in the past. The developers really had an opportunity to fully realize the potential of the game with the new hardware and failed.

The basic combat lacks the depth needed to make the fetch quests interesting. [Apr 2010, p.97]

Although we surely can’t deny its fascinating concept, Way of the Samurai 3 proves to be a disappointing next-gen debut for Aquire, which fails to improve the franchise’s previous titles in any significant way. In other words it’s surely a welcome sequel for any fans of the series, but a game that won’t appeal to a broader audience.

Way of the Samurai 3 was released in Japan one year ago, and finally the latest installment in the saga comes to the European market. This third episode follows the same sandbox style set in the feudal Japan seen in the previous games. It has good ideas, the overall design in interesting but a limited map in size, a bad combat system and the outdated graphics are obstacles too visible. A good example of cause-effect videogame but only for fans of the franchise and players who like sandbox style.

Every series follower will be pleased with the results, an update of the same proposal of PlayStation 2. Unfortunately, newcomers won't get much satisfaction, and will probably give up the game before finishing it.

Cut your own path in this unique but repetitive samurai adventure.

This overwhelming third iteration in the Way of the Samurai series keeps the open ended gameplay of the two previous games, but also its flaws and weaknesses. Great concept for a poorly executed game.

The setting and the story are so far away from European Culture that players will barely understand the spirit of the game. Plus, creepy graphics and an old-gen gameplay pull the product down.

An unusual open world samurai adventure, with plenty of authenticity but little spit and polish.

Way of the Samurai 3 is a very poor game. The graphics are bad, the audio is also bad and the gameplay is crap. The fighting system doesn’t work and that’s a shame because the idea behind the game is pretty cool. Way of the Samurai 3 is a game that you just don’t buy, and on too many points it’s a failure.

Frustrating and tedious. [Apr 2010, p.113]