Way of the Samurai 3 - Review - Is this Samurai Game a Hit or Miss?

If you are like many who have a fascination and interest in games that reflect Japanese culture and samurai themes, you take a good look at Way of the Samurai 3. The third installment of Way of the Samurai series, is an adventure game that will keep you busy as you make your way through a period of political strife. Originally developed by a Japanese company called Spike and was released in Japanese last year.

Samurai game fans can now find the English version of the game available on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

The story of Way of the Samurai is during the Sengoku period, a two-century period when Japan experienced political conflict, both on a societal and a political level. The setting is the land of Amana which has undergone a change in leadership when Lord Sakurai was removed from his seat by Fujimori Shuzen.

This is not good news for the many villagers who live in Amana because Fujimori forced them to work for him overtime, with less and less pay but more and more taxes to supply and reinforce him army. Anger and discontentment are now starting to surface among the people. Three clans reside in the land of Amana: the Fujimori clan, the Ouka clan who are formerly part of the Sakurai clan and had wanted to take back the seat of power, and the Takatane clan who are mostly villagers who just want to have peace among the people.

In this setting, the player takes on the role of an unidentified ronin, or a masterless samurai. The appeal in this kind of storyline and in an impartial character is that you have to use your head in strategizing your way through all your tasks, and a game that calls for a challenge does attract a lot of gamers. As a ronin, you can take the side of one clan, or even become somewhat a double agent and become allies of two clans to your advantage.

Or you can just have a hell of a time by killing them all. Whatever the case, the player has free reign to create his own narration by choosing what actions and conversations he can join in. Your adventure will consist of 8 locations where you will carry out some tasks. Some tasks can be challenging enough, like catching a thief and punishing him. But some tasks are just too easy, and downright funny, like making rice cakes.

In any event, Way of the Samurai 3 allows you to get a companion who will follow and help you in your tasks, especially when it requires two people to accomplish. You can choose a partner from all the random people wearing a green name tag, from a widow to even a ghost.

The game also features a wider array of weapons. Though it centers on a lot of swordfight, you can craft your arsenal of weapons from over 200 materials and parts. You even have the option of making your own weapon by collecting scraps of blades, pommels, and handles.

Basically, you‘ll design weapons that match your skills, goals and fighting style of your opponent. If you think it more strategic, you can even surrender by pressing L2 – in the PS3 version – and your ronin will kneel before your opponent.

The conclusion of the game will depend on the storyline that you create, and there are over 15 of them available, as compared to the 14 endings in Samurai 2. At the end of the game, players will receive their final rank and title, and there are 50 all in all. Based on the performance on the tasks, you can be labeled a “No Body” or hailed as a “Samurai Forever!” Players will keep all their weapons, skills, money, and physical stats should they want to replay the game.

Way of the Samurai 3 will have no trouble appealing to samurai gamers especially those who want to have their own way in a single-player gameplay. If you happen to be one of them, you might as well get a copy and make yourself happy.

I'd like to hear about your experience with the game, so after you check it out, stop by and leave me a comment.

Enjoy!