Best Samurai Games For Fans Of Ghost Of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima takes place during the 13th century in Feudal Japan, specifically during the Kamakura Period. Developed by Sucker Punch and released on the PS4 on July 17, 2020, Ghost of Tsushima is a stellar action game that utilizes a setting that is seldom explored in the industry, particularly by Western developers.
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Ghost of Tsushima is certainly unique, however, there have been many samurai-type games that have come in the past. Which titles that alongside Ghost of Tsushima as some of the best samurai games in history?
Updated on March 5, 2022, by Mark Sammut: PS5 and PS4 owners with a PS Plus subscription can download Ghost of Tsushima: Legends during March 2022. Sucker Punch’s multiplayer mode is a fantastic companion piece to the main story, offering a supernatural twist on proceedings. Samurai games are not particularly common, but there have been a few dozen over the years. Even though most of these titles are not particularly similar to Ghost of Tsushima, they provide a way to experience eras in Japanese history that are not frequently represented by the industry. This article has been expanded to include a couple more games for fans of Ghost of Tsushima.
15/15 Total War: Shogun 2
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Platforms:
Windows, macOS, Linux
In terms of gameplay or era, Total War: Shogun 2 and Ghost of Tsushima share basically nothing in common. Despite their many differences, they are two of the most complete and defining titles featuring samurai. Set in feudal Japan, Total War: Shogun 2 casts the player as a warlord fighting for control of the country, with the bulk of the game containing eight factions.
Creative Assembly’s franchise has produced some of the greatest strategy games of all time, and Shogun 2 sits among Total War‘s best releases. Total War: Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai jumps forward to the Bakumatsu era and is also worth playing.
14/15 Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked
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Platform:
PlayStation 2
Based on Shinichirō Watanabe’s great anime, Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked was developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, with SUDA51 handling directorial duties. While it doesn’t reach the heights of a No More Heroes or killer7, Sidetracked still oozes personality and charm. Its core beat ’em up mechanics are shallow but fun, and the game ties them into Samurai Champloo‘s iconic hip-hop soundtrack.
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Sidetracked, unfortunately, loves to periodically kill its own momentum by throwing out a mini-game that requires eliminating a hundred enemies. Nevertheless, this is a solid samurai game.
13/15 Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time
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Platforms:
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, macOS, iOS
A different beast to Ghost of Tsushima, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is a belated video game based on Genndy Tartakovsky’s popular cartoon. The show follows a samurai, Jack, who is sent to the future by the evil Aku; naturally, the soft-spoken protagonist sets out to cut the demon in half and return back to his time.
Built on the foundations of titles such as Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is a stylish hack and slash game that manages to offer a respectable challenge. It doesn’t quite have the depth to justify too many repeat playthroughs, but those seeking a cartoonish samurai adventure with a twist should find a lot to enjoy here.
12/15 Onimusha: Warlords
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Platforms:
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 2, Xbox One, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Windows
As the first entry in the series, Onimusha: Warlords may not be as refined as the later sequels. That said, as it was released on all consoles last year as a quick remaster, it remains the easiest to track down and play in 2021. It is simply the Resident Evil formula, but with samurai in the feudal era of Japan fighting demons instead of zombies. It is as cool as it sounds. Capcom needs to give Resident Evil a break and return to this franchise.
Set just after Oda Nobunaga’s epic war with Imagawa Yoshimoto in 1560, known as the Battle of Okehazama, players take the role of a warrior encountering demons drawn by the blood-soaked battlefield. Locations of brutal conflicts in Japanese folklore often draw malevolent forces tied to the rage and hatred brought about by war. This proliferates in video games as well, as seen by this and other samurai titles.
11/15 Nioh
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Platforms:
PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows
Another demon-slaying samurai game is Nioh, a new franchise that debuted in the previous generation. While this could be dismissed as a samurai clone of Dark Souls, it is more than that. With a named character and better balancing next to its sequel that just came out, it is the better of the two. It might even be more challenging than Dark Souls since it demands faster reflexes.
The player takes the role of William, an Englishman traveling to and through the early 1600’s Japan, the Sengoku era, seeking spiritual knowledge and strength in a world overrun by demons. Thankfully, he is a skilled swordsman capable of allying himself with guardian spirits who can slay these oni and yokai with either blade, bow, or even magic as well as countless other weapons and tools.
10/15 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
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Platforms:
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Google Stadia
Technically, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is not a samurai game since the main character, Wolf, is closer to a shinobi; however, FromSoftware’s title focuses heavily on melee combat, which is a better fit for the samurai archetype than a ninja. Ultimately, Sekiro makes the cut simply because the game is good enough to justify smudging the criteria to include it in this article. If nothing else, Wolf fights a couple of samurai in the campaign.
Sekiro‘s gameplay is not all that similar to Ghost of Tsushima‘s, but they both place a heavy emphasis on monitoring and countering the enemy’s movements. Sekiro is set after the Sengoku Period and implements a lot of fantastical elements, further setting it apart from Sucker Punch’s game.
9/15 Katana Zero
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Platforms:
Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS
Katana Zero is an indie darling that also launched in 2019. It borrows the one-hit-kill gameplay of other indies like Hotline Miami but adds a samurai and a slowdown mechanic. With the techno soundtrack and neo-punk aesthetic, this game is a fun trip albeit a short one. Slaying enemies as a cyber samurai is inherently cool and like Nioh, Katana Zero can be quite challenging.
What definitely can be considered a technicolor bloodbath amidst sharpened steel is also the tale of a cold, lifeless killing machine that becomes something more. Set in a dystopian city full of both grime and crime, the player controls Zero, an experiment who may or may not have been a human. Throughout the game, as players get to hunt down and assassinate targets, they’ll also be given the chance to chase Zero’s thoughts and feelings as he experiences the world around him.
8/15 Way Of The Samurai
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Platforms:
PlayStation 2, PSP
Way of the Samurai 4 is the latest entry in this series and debuted on the PS3 and PC digitally. That is the easiest game, relatively speaking, to get ahold of; however, if one can track down the original on PS2, that is the way to go. It garnered mixed reviews at launch, however, earning a 72 Metascore.
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The Way of the Samurai series has an air of diminishing returns past the original, a game that perfectly encapsulates the idea of roaming the countryside as a ronin. Players cut down foes while playing the part of a self-created swordsman or swordswoman in the fictional Japanese coastal town of Amihama during the early 1800s. They can join one of three factions: the Japanese government, the rebels, or the British navy seeking to end the conflict. The story of the game spans five days, each full of decision-making opportunities that will change the course of the tale.
7/15 Samurai Warriors 4: Empires
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Platforms:
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PS Vita
This series has a stigma to it for seemingly offering just mindless hack and slash mayhem. Truthfully, that is not far off base. However, what makes Samurai Warriors so adored by fans is the co-op, which genuinely can make even the worst of games great in some capacity, along with player choice. Slaying thousands of enemies might not be realistic, but it is like a samurai power fantasy. This spin-off of a spin-off, Empires, is recommended above others because it integrates a level of strategy to the franchise.
As another samurai game set during the wartorn era of Japan known as the Sengoku period, this game sees quite a few real, albeit romanticized, battles from the late 1500s to the early 1600s. The first conflict experienced in the game is the battle of Itsukushima, the only bloody conflict to ever take place on the hallowed island of Miyajima. Many more such epic retellings of real events can be enjoyed throughout the course of this game.
6/15 For Honor
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Platforms:
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
This is not a pure samurai game, but in either single-player or multiplayer, the work gone into representing these heroes based on real ones in our world can be mesmerizing. For Honor launched with knights, samurai, and Vikings, and later added warriors based on those from Chinese history. This might be the closest video games can get to simulating real combat with samurai.
Despite not taking place in the real world, all the different classes in the game represent classic warrior archetypes from all over Earth’s diverse histories and cultures. This mix of different fighting styles grants each faction versatility and power in a few key places. The Samurai faction consists of seven different heroes for players to stab, slash, and bash their rivals into submission with.
5/15 Bushido Blade 2
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Platforms:
PlayStation
Another simulation-type fighting game, Bushido Blade operates with one-hit kills. This made for some intense battles with the game’s AI or against friends. Both entries on the PS1 are good, but the second offers more variety. The game earned fairly admirable reviews, including a score of 83 on Metacritic.
Although weapons common in Feudal era Japan, somewhat equivalent to Europe’s medieval ages, are used in this game, the setting is actually much more modern than expected. Players can see helicopters here and there throughout gameplay, as well as other current technology, making much of the techno elements more logical.
4/15 Brave Fencer Musashi
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Platforms:
Another Square gem lost to time from the PS1 era is Brave Fencer Musashi. This falls more in line with the action RPG genre, and it is a lighthearted one at that, earning an 81 rating on Metacritic. Set in a fictional fantasy world, players control a boy who is the reincarnation of a mighty warrior: the eponymous Musashi. This is one of those tales with many classic fantasy elements that fans of similar games will love, such as doing battle with monsters, saving nobility, and collecting magical artifacts to stop an evil force.
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The sequel on PS2 offers more of a samurai aesthetic, but it also isn’t as good as this initial entry. For those looking for a more adventurous dynamic, Brave Fencer Musashi is it.
3/15 Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate
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Platforms:
PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo DS, Windows
This game is the latest in the series as of 2016. It was released for Vita in the West before coming out on the Switch and PC in 2020. Not many of the Shiren the Wanderer games have been localized due to roguelikes not catching on until recently. Shiren the Wanderer began on the Super Nintendo as a side note, but it left a decent impact with a 75 Metascore.
Wandering the fictional allegory for Japan’s Feudal era in this game allows one to get immersed as a silent protagonist. This trope is becoming less and less seen these days, though this game makes great use of this element when placing the player in story-heavy situations. For those wishing to embody a samurai without much story and also wish for a challenge, it doesn’t get much deeper than this.
2/15 Samurai Shodown
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Platforms:
PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Google Stadia, Arcade (Japan)
In the world of fighting games, SNK needs no introduction. Responsible for Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters, SNK has spent decades mastering the art of 2D fighters, and Samurai Shodown ranks among the developer’s greatest achievements. Following a 10-year break, the franchise returned in a big way with 2019’s reboot, a release that has extremely strong fundamentals.
While not overly stacked with content outside of a pretty basic story/arcade mode, Samurai Shodown‘s combat comes with more than enough depth to keep players invested for a long time, especially if they want to truly master the game. It should be noted that Samurai Shodown‘s multiplayer scene is not that active on Steam, so this title is only really worth picking up for those interested in playing solo.
1/15 Yakuza Ishin
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Platforms:
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3
Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin, or Yakuza Ishin, is a spin-off in the franchise and is not available in the West. Part of the reason might pertain to the fact that it is heavily steeped in feudal era culture, which may not translate well in the West. That is a guess, but be that as it may, it still would be great to get Yakuza Ishin eventually. It is never too late. For those that like importing, well, this is an option.
Those who like samurai games set in the more recent 1800s will enjoy this title. There’s plenty of action to be had while playing as Ryoma, who has recently finished training with his sword and is eager to test his might. He gets plenty of chances to do so as he gets embroiled in conflicts involving the government and local unrest.
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15 Best Samurai Games of All Time (2022 Edition)
Long considered to be the coolest warriors in history, society has a fascination with samurai culture and folklore that has remained unabated for generations, and that’s great. Samurai are rad, end of story. Whether it’s in TV, movies or books, samurais have always been an endlessly compelling well to draw inspiration from, and video games are no exception. But what are the best samurai games you can buy?
For this list, we’re trying to limit the games to those that focus more on the experience of being a samurai. Games like Tenchu and Aragami, while set during periods where samurai were prominent and feature samurai as enemies and characters, are disqualified, largely due to the fact that you play as ninjas instead of samurai. With that being said, here’s our picks for the best samurai games ever made.
The Best Samurai Games
Jump To:
15. Yakuza Ishin
Yakuza Ishin
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: SEGA
Platform(s): PS3, PS4
In an ideal world, we’d love to recommend both Yakuza Ishin with the same level of enthusiasm as the other games on this list, but considering the fact that neither Ishin or predecessor Kenzan saw any kind of release outside of Japan, it’s hard to do that. That’s why it’s at 15th.
By all accounts though, Ishin is an all-time great samurai game, so hopefully including it here will lead to Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio porting them to the modern platforms in future. They’ve already said they’re interested, after all.
As a game, Ishin copies the character models and actors that have featured in the Yakuza series and pastes them over a template of real Japanese folklore and legends. Ishin follows Sakamoto Ryoma and touches on the real life police force that was known as the Shinsengumi. With an ally of Ryoma murdered by a potiential member of the Shinsengumi, Ryoma seeks to infiltrate the force with a view of rooting out the killer once and for all.
14. Way of the Samurai 4
Way of the Samurai 4
Developer: Acquire
Publisher: Spike
Platform(s): PC, PS3
Living life as a samurai would no doubt be hard work, but the Way of the Samurai series adds some excitement, intrigue and, most of all, choice to your time as a wandering swordsman. It’s not just about cutting down the bandits and rogues standing in your way, but the different factions you ally yourself with, or who you choose to kill and spare, that’ll ultimately decide your fate.
Way of the Samurai 4 pits you as an unnamed ronin making their way to the port town of Amihama during the 19th century. With the British introducing their culture to Japan, turning Amihama into a “little Britain”, three factions have now emerged. As all three are vying for control, you’ll prove to be the difference maker through your decisions.
Or, you could just waste everyone then leave. That’s also an option.
13. GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon
GetsuFumaDen
Developer: GuruGuru
Publisher: Konami
Platform(s): PC (Switch release coming)
GetsuFumaDen might be one of the oldest franchises going at the minute, with the original game from Konami launching in 1987. 35 years is certainly a long time to wait for a follow-up game, but Konami are in the process of delivering thanks to GuruGuru with GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon, which is currently available in early access before launching this year on PC and Switch.
Undying Moon is a hack-and-slash with roguelike elements, as you control a distant descendant of the original game. As the leader of the Getsu Clan, you’ve charged headlong into hell to find out why the barrier between the living world and the dead world has weakened, and also to find your missing brother along the way.
With new martial arts moves to learn and weapons to craft, there’s a lot of depth here already, and it’s only going to get better by release.
12. For Honor
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Technically, For Honor isn’t the purest samurai game ever made. A multiplayer game to decide which historical combatant would totally trounce your favourite in a fight, For Honor originally included Vikings and Knights as well as Samurai, though the game has been updated since to include fighters like the Chinese-inspired Wu Lin faction, along with Roman Gladiators and Centurions for the Knights faction.
Still, don’t tell us you didn’t leap straight towards the Samurai faction the first time you booted up For Honor. The Samurai faction themselves covers all facets of the Japanese warriors playbook, so if you fancy being a dishonorable Shinobi, the choice is yours, though the big Shugoki lads are an option too.
Personally, we always liked the Nobushi, just because you could poke people with a big stick from long range. Endless fun.
11. Kenshi
Developer: Lo-Fi Games
Publisher: Lo-Fi Games
Platform(s): PC
A true quality of a samurai is to stay strong in the face of adversity. No matter what life may throw at you, you must stay completely resolute, and the world of Kenshi is nothing but adversity and challenge. There’s no room for the weak in Kenshi, as the world will swallow you up and spit you out if you lack the strength to stand up for yourself, making it an incredibly satisfying adventure.
While not strictly a samurai game, considering it takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting and allows for multiple options in how you live your life, a wandering warrior doling out justice with a katana is certainly one such option.
A true sandbox adventure, Kenshi’s story is about the choices you make throughout your adventure, as who you ally with or kill can determine which towns and factions rise and fall.
10. Kessen
Kessen
Developer: Koei Tecmo
Publisher: EA, Koei Tecmo
Platform(s): PS2
Literally translated as “decisive battle” in Japanese, Kessen is yet more proof of how much Koei love big armies smashing into each other. While other games in the series might have opted for more magical elements, or even abandoned the samurai completely for more Romance of the Three Kingdoms content, the original Kessen was a historically accurate, albeit slightly romanticised retelling of feudal Japan. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best samurai games ever made, even if it’s over 20 years old.
Set near the end of the Warring States period in Japanese history, Kessen depicts the clash between the eastern Tokugawa Clan and the western Toyotomi Clan.
Players begin the game as Ieyasu Tokugawa of the east, free to play through the campaign accruing wins and losses all the way until the final battle, at which point the perspective switches to Ishida Mitsunari of the west. After that, players can pick their leader and build a full picture of the battle history for themselves with each subsequent scenario.
Who said learning isn’t fun?
9. Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time
Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time Review
Developer: Soleil
Publisher: Adult Swim Games
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Licensed samurai games can be just as amazing as regular samurai games, and the most recent Samurai Jack title, Battle Through Time, lives up to the animated series’ stellar reputation.
Fans of Jack’s adventures in the nightmarish future have been waiting forever for a game to accurately capture the action of the series, but Soleil’s character action game has pulled it off.
Battle Through Time is, as the name would imply, a brief jaunt through some of Samurai Jack’s greatest hits. During the climactic battle between Jack and the demonic Aku, the villain throws Jack into a timeless void, filled with recreations of the biggest fights in Jack’s history. It’s a retelling of sorts, while also introducing new aspects to keep things interesting.
For fans of the franchise, this is a can’t miss game.
8. Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown
Developer: SNK
Publisher: SNK, Athlon Games, Deep Silver
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, Stadia
For a game called Samurai Shodown, there’s certainly a lot of characters featured in the series who aren’t actually samurai. Between pirates, knights, bandits, noblewomen and assassins, there’s plenty of vibrant characters to contend with in SNK’s classic fighting game series, but the real stars of the show are the samurai.
And Darli Dagger. She’s great too.
Samurai Shodown’s depiction of samurai properly conveys the knife-edge on which all duels sit. While games like Soulcalibur offer flashy combos, Samurai Shodown is all about high damage and punishing missed attacks. One wrong move could lead to death in just a few strikes, which makes every fight a tense, exciting affair.
7. Samurai Warriors 5
Samurai Warriors 5 review
Developer: Omega Force, Koei Tecmo
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Koei essentially wrote the book on historic combatants taking to the field of battle and just smacking seven shades out of each other. While Dynasty Warriors might be the more popular or at least recognisable game of their “one vs all” formula, let’s share a little bit of love towards Samurai Warriors 5, which makes a bold case for being one of Koei’s best Musou games. Yes, that even includes Persona 5 Strikers.
A re-imagining of the series, of sorts, Samurai Warriors 5 comes complete with a fresh coat of paint that looks more reminiscent of a Japanese painting, giving the battlefield some much needed vibrancy when it inevitably turns into hundreds of dudes being slapped about the place.
With a revamped roster of characters and gameplay that’s always satisfying, Samurai Warriors 5 is well worth checking out, as it’s definitely one of the best samurai games out there.
6. Bushido Blade 2
Bushido Blade 2
Developer: Lightweight, Square
Publisher: Square
Platform(s): PS1
A legendary samurai fight is one that can end in a singular strike. None of this lightsaber fight malarky, just two warriors swinging for the fences to see who can cut down the other. While Bushido Blade 2 might not have been around in the gaming space as much as it should have been, its legacy as one of the best samurai games ever is undeniable. Just two controllers and a copy of Bushido Blade 2 is all you need for endless fun.
After players pick their characters and respective weapon, they’re placed into one of several large, open arenas, with the fight only ending when one of the fighters is dead and buried. Victory can occur at any moment, with one strike being enough to end it, but attacks on limbs can also injure your opponent to give you an advantage.
Do you win with a death by a thousand cuts, or do you risk it all for one decisive strike? The choice is yours.
5. Total War: Shogun 2
Total War: Shogun 2
Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Publisher: SEGA
Platform(s): PC
Most samurai games are a bit of a power fantasy, as you inhabit the armour of a lone hero rising against evil and injustice. However, the samurai period wasn’t just a cabal of lone wanderers laying waste to ne’er-do-wells here, there and everywhere. Samurai often represented larger clans who would often use their huge armies to try and establish their rule across Japan, and no game captures this better than Total War: Shogun 2.
Set in 16th Century feudal Japan, you control one of up to 9 different samurai clans, or 12 if you pick up the DLC, each with their own local warlords and plans for Japan. Every clan has their own play styles and specialities, and rising to the top of Japan requires both diplomacy and sheer strength, meaning one person’s campaign would be completely different from someone else’s.
4. Katana Zero
Katana Zero
Developer: Askiisoft
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, Switch
Being a samurai isn’t just limited to feudal Japan. In fact, some of the best samurais are found in sci-fi, and Katana Zero is a beautiful example of that.
A neo-noir action adventure, players will take on the role of Zero, a mysterious assassin who’s given contracts to murder various players in an ongoing conspiracy. It’s a weighty plot, but you might not have time to notice it given how fast the gameplay can be.
Katana Zero follows the one-hit-death formula that was popularised by games like Hotline Miami, creating a satisfying gameplay loop as you try to overcome an almost insurmountable level of opposition. Still, you have some tools in your arsenal to turn the tides, like the ability to reflect bullets with your sick katana, or slow down time in order to better avoid all the projectiles coming your way.
3. Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
Onimusha 3
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platform(s): PC, PS2
For some samurai media, there’s a certain appeal in showcasing the iconic warrior out of their own time. Onimusha 3 is perhaps the most notable gaming example, as Capcom’s resident samurai sword swinger Samanosuke is transported to modern day Paris. He’s still got hordes of demons to contend with, but now he’s doing it in front of the Eiffel Tower instead of in historic Japan.
Meanwhile, in Onimusha 3’s weird, time-bending storyline, Jacques Blanc (played by Jean Reno, which still boggles the mind two decades later) is transported to Japan, given an Oni gauntlet and told to slaughter plenty of demons of his own.
As samurai games go, Onimusha 3 is certainly a bit out there, but for many PS2 lovers, these are some fond memories. No wonder it’s a huge feature in anyone’s list of best samurai games.
Modern port, when? Or even a new Onimusha?
2. Nioh 2
Nioh 2
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Koei Tecmo, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5
It was only a matter of time before samurai culture was fused with the Soulslike genre, and Team Ninja’s Nioh series has done an astounding job of adapting the challenging gameplay of the genre into a samurai adventure.
Of course, the demonic monsters that plague the world of Nioh help set the tone of a Soulslike game. Nothing like a 20ft tall goliath to truly let you know you’re worthless and terrible at video games.
While the series hasn’t been around for too long, especially in comparison to other games on this list, Nioh 2 has established itself as the best yet. Players create their own characters and explore a fantasised version of Japan’s Sengoku period, utilising a new Yokai Shift ability to transform into various powerful forms. That doesn’t mean the regular, evil Yokai are going to go down without a fight though.
1. Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima
Developer: Sucker Punch
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): PS4, PS5
Look, Ghost of Tsushima is a fine line to walk, we’ll grant you. Jin Sakai sits on the precipice between samurai and ninja, straying from one side to the other as the events of the game progress, but there’s no denying that it’s one of the best samurai adventures that gaming has ever seen. Exploring the beautiful island of Tsushima is brilliant in its own right, but the game’s incredible sword fighting is the icing on the cake.
As Jin Sakai, the last surviving member of the Sakai clan and one of only a few surviving samurai after the Mongol invasion of Tsushima, you’re faced with impossible odds and are forced to make an impossible decision: abandon the samurai code of honor in favour of a dangerous, more ignoble way of fighting.
The old ways won’t survive such savagery, but what do you lose in the pursuit of victory at any cost? That question propels Ghost of Tsushima towards becoming the best samurai game on the market.
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Top 10 PS4 games of 2020 — samurai, monsters, cyberpunk
The coming twelve months will be the last in the active life cycle of the PlayStation 4. Very soon, Sony will introduce the receiver of the console, which has sold 100 million copies worldwide. However, the decline of the platform does not mean that in 2020 there will be no games on PS4 at all. On the contrary, Sony managers have at least two serious trump cards up their sleeves, and no one has canceled the multiplatform from leading publishers and developers. Basically, get comfortable. It will be very interesting.
But before moving on to future hits, let me make a little clarification. The fact is that some of the games listed below do not have a clear release date. We already wrote about this in our material about the upcoming season — who did not have time to read it, it is here. Therefore, it is quite possible that some kind of Ghost of Tsushima will move to 2021. Just keep that in mind. Well, now that all the formalities are over, let’s finally move on to the selection itself.
The Last of Us Part II
For the second time in a row, Naughty Dog is about to release a powerful end-of-life exclusive for the next PlayStation. In 2013, such a hit was the original The Last of Us — one of the best games in the history of the interactive entertainment industry and, in combination, the main contender for the title of «discovery of the decade». A powerful story, great gameplay that combines elements of adventure, horror, stealth action and third-person action, and an unrealistically powerful emotional message: these are just a brief description of this masterpiece.
The original The Last of Us in the first months after the release began to be called a masterpiece — not only by critics, but also by ordinary gamers. The second part will almost certainly repeat the fate of the original. This time, however, most of the time you have to play for a completely different character. If in the first part the main character was Joel — beaten by life, a cynical man — now his companion Ellie has come to the fore. The girl has matured, managed to survive a lot of losses and is ready to take revenge. Actually, according to the developers, revenge will be devoted to history Part II. We wait and hope that Sony does not port the game to the PC, as happened with Detroit: Become Human.
When to expect: May 29, 2020.
DOOM Eternal
A few years ago, the relaunch of DOOM made a lot of noise in the gaming and near-game community. It’s no joke, for the first time in many years, such an UNCOMPROMISING old-school action movie entered the market. First aid kits, arena-style gameplay with a little bit of classics, no horror and experiments with genres. id Software’s work looked and sounded like a true successor to a great series should look and sound. And at the same time, it was great on all platforms — from PlayStation 4 to PC and Xbox One. Even the port on the Nintendo Switch turned out great. That’s what optimization magic does.
DOOM Eternal is a direct sequel to the 2016 hit. Bold, meaty, bloody. Judging by the gameplay footage, the developers did not abandon the working concept, but only supplemented it with new elements. In particular, platform sections. In Eternal, Doomguy will be able to cling to sheer structures and bounce off them, like a hero of some Mirror’s Edge. Well, the mechanics of a double jump — where without it. However, one should not think that id Software decided to cross a hedgehog and a snake — on the contrary, the company is preparing an obviously uncompromising first-person action game in the spirit of the old school, but at a technologically modern level.
When to expect: March 20, 2020.
Cyberpunk 2077
Who would have thought that in today’s world a Polish studio called CD Projekt RED would turn into real icons of pop culture? About The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and two great DLCs for it, even those for whom video games ended in the days of Soviet arcade machines have heard. And right now, the authors of The Witcher are preparing a new surprise. His name is Cyberpunk 2077 and, no, there will be no roach in the game. Yes, and she herself is in the first person and about the distant future.
With your permission, we will not spoil the background of a potential hit. Simply because the game has too much lore to fit in this short paragraph. Something else is much more important. The CD Projekt RED team performs in the genre of the «big game about the story» that has actually died today. Therefore, you simply have to support the Poles and buy Cyberpunk 2077 at launch at full price, preferably on consoles, which, as you know, do not have regional prices. Yes, and you too, my young skipper, who boards all modern releases, justifying this with the phrase “Well, epta, I dumped 50 pieces into PeKa, what else should I take games ?!”, should also buy. So as not to whine later that there are no good story blockbusters.
When to expect: April 16, 2020.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
In our review of Shenmue 3, we wrote that it’s completely incomprehensible who needs this game today if there is an excellent Yakuza series from SEGA. Created once as the spiritual heir to the work of Yu Suzuki, today the series about Japanese gangsters has become a real cultural phenomenon, every part of which is expected far beyond its homeland. The secret of success, however, is simple: over and over again, the Yakuza Team manages to mix great crime movies, farce and excellent Beat em’ up in one bottle.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the seventh part of the series and it is not a sentence at all, as some of our readers might think. A new SEGA game should restart the entire series. Like a Dragon will have a new protagonist and — drumroll — an updated combat system. And this is where the fun begins. Instead of the usual scuffle with Japanese gopniks, gamers will be offered … step-by-step scuffle with Japanese gopniks. Yes, just like that, in the spirit of jRPG.
When to expect: January 16, 2020 (Japan), during 2020 (rest of the world).
Nioh 2
And one more exclusive in the PS4 piggy bank — however, as in the case of the first part, most likely temporary. A few years ago, the original Nioh deservedly earned the title of one of the best Dark Souls clones. The Team Ninja game combined high difficulty, a well-thought-out combat system and an unusual setting for the genre — the game’s plot unfolded in 17th-century Japan and told about the adventures of a sailor named William.
Nioh 2, judging by the recent open beta testing, will not differ much from the first part. All the same Japan, Yokai opponents, high difficulty and a huge amount of loot falling out of opponents. True, this time the developers have allowed to customize the appearance of the hero and allow him to use a demonic form. Other than that, it’s still the same game. And that’s actually great, because the original Nioh was definitely good. And new chips can be poured into the release version.
When to expect: March 13, 2020.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Old-school gamers who saw the gaming industry during the early days of 3D graphics remember the sensation that the seventh installment of the Final Fantasy series created. Three discs, an endlessly long story campaign for those times, interesting characters, an exciting story, Iris, finally! At one time, SquareSoft literally broke the mold among gamers who considered jRPG to be some obscure garbage. Exactly since Final Fantasy VII around the world, not just in Japan, began a massive craze for the genre.
And now, in the new time, Square Enix is preparing a rethinking of the same cult «Final Fantasy». Final Fantasy VII Remake is like pictures that flooded social networks called “age test”. If for you «Seven» is a slang term for Windows 7, then you are not in the club. Well, if the “Seven” is still Final Fantasy, then you yourself know about all the pitfalls of the future release: starting with the updated combat system and ending with the decision of the developers to release the game in episodes. And yet, for now, the FF7 remake is one of the main events of the next year. It’s doubly nice that so far the game has the title of exclusive to the PlayStation 4. Although the release on the PC, of course, will happen sooner or later.
When to expect: March 3, 2020.
Predator: Hunting Grounds
Unlike competitors from Microsoft, Sony is extremely reluctant to make exclusives tailored for multiplayer. Not plot-oriented blockbusters with a hastily screwed up network mode and non-cooperative games are full-fledged competitive projects. Predator: Hunting Grounds is Sony’s first attempt since M. A.G. from Zipper Interactive to make gamers kill each other online.
However, to call Hunting Grounds a very ordinary network chopper, the tongue does not turn. According to the developers, a key feature of their game will be asymmetrical multiplayer. Four players will take on the role of regular Marines. They must complete a certain task and be in time for the evacuation point. At the same time, the fifth gamer controls the Predator, and his task is to hunt the miserable people. In general, everything is quite in the spirit of the cult franchise.
When to expect: 2020 year.
Resident Evil 3 Remake
The fact that Capcom will still release a remake of the third part, it became clear last week, when the official art of the upcoming horror film was leaked to the network. Most likely, the announcement of the project will sound this week and it is unlikely that the game will seriously differ from the reimagined Resident Evil 2. modern gamers, if they are properly served. And the Capcom team filed them as correctly as possible. As a result, the highest ratings from the press and players around the world. Waiting for the announcement with bated breath.
When to expect: most likely in 2020.
Ghost of Tsushima
Another guest with an unclear fate. The fact is that Sony only once demonstrated the gameplay of Ghost of Tsushima at E3 2018 and completely forgot about the promising project of the authors of InFamous. However, according to the company itself, Sucker Punch works hard and her achievements look just magical. In principle, this is not difficult to believe, because the authors do not have a single truly failed or at least an average game on their account — they are completely excellent.
Ghost of Tsushima is a samurai action game that, unlike Nioh or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, tells about real historical events — without demons, mysticism and other devilry. The focus of the developers was the Mongol invasion and the devastation of the island of Tsushima. Play, as shown in the trailer, to be a Japanese warrior. Nothing more is known about the project.
When to expect: most likely in 2020. So far, Sony has only announced one exclusive for 2020, which is extremely small by PlayStation 4 standards. Especially for the «sunset» of the system.
Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2
The game that almost all real CRPG fans are looking forward to closes our selection. And it’s not without reason! The fact is that in 2004 the original Bloodlines was a breath of fresh air in the world of endless action and strategy. Insanely interesting quests, a thick mystical atmosphere, a wide field for role-playing and the need to comply with the Masquerade — these are the distinguishing features of Troika Games. Masquerade in the world of the game was not just a convention. If you carelessly reveal your vampire essence several times — for example, bite someone in a crowded place — then this automatically led to the appearance of the Inquisition at first, and later to the end of the game.
At the same time, at least one of the in-game classes, the so-called nosferatu, could not appear in a decent society at all — thanks to their ugly, deliberately «vampire» appearance. So, the second part, according to the authors, should be no worse than the first. And you willingly believe in it, considering videos and screenshots. True, you will have to play not for a full-fledged representative of one of the clans, but for its “weak” version, but this does not change the essence. At the moment, Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 looks like a dream come true for long-time fans of the very «Masquerade» from 2004 or its even older version called Vampire: The Masquerade — Redemption. And it’s absolutely wonderful that the game will definitely visit the PlayStation 4. A great gift for fans of RPG, mysticism and the World of Darkness tabletop universe.
When to expect: 2020.
***
What games are you looking forward to on PlayStation 4? Tell us about it in the comments to the material. Well, we say to you: «Bye.» Don’t switch off. A lot of interesting things lie ahead.
Which PS4 game are you looking forward to?
The Last of Us Part II
DOOM Eternal
Cyberpunk 2077
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Nioh 2
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Predator: Hunting Grounds
Resident Evil 3 Remake
Ghost of Tsushima
Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2
Other — write your choice in the comments.
Results
- Where are the games? Why 2020 could be the most extraordinary year in industry history
- Best games of 2019 — user vote
- Top 10 games of 2019 with the most fun gameplay
Top 10 games about samurai and ninja on PC — Shadow Tactics, Mark of the Ninja and others
Samurai action game will be released on July 17 Ghost of Tsushima. Unfortunately, it will be released only on the PlayStation 4. But this is not the time to despair, noble boyars-sama, there are also enough games about samurai and ninja on the PC. In this article, we have collected ten of the best titles about Japanese warriors in a variety of genres.
Nioh
Life is suffering.
The best loot won’t help
Clumsy hands.
Nioh is truly duality. The game in an incredible way intertwines seemingly completely opposite things. Its plot is dedicated to feudal Japan, but the main character is an Irishman. It is based on real events, among its characters you can find many historical figures — but at the same time it is purebred fantasy. Even the foundation of the plot here consists of two parts at once: a script by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa and a book by American writer James Clavell.
The game tells the story of William, an Irish sailor who traveled to Japan to retrieve his guardian spirit. In a foreign country, he learned the art of samurai, encountered numerous demons from local folklore, and also participated in the formation of the Tokugawa shogunate.
From a gameplay point of view, Nioh is a classic souls-like action game — the battle is based on timely dodges and counterattacks, and after death the hero loses all unused experience. A characteristic feature of the game is stances that affect the strength of strikes and their speed, as well as an extensive Diablo-like loot system that allows you to slightly level the complexity of battles with the help of new items of equipment. In addition to samurai techniques, users can learn ninjutsu and onmyo magic.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Life is still a pain.
And will be it while
FromSoftware creates.
Unlike Nioh, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a direct successor to Dark Souls. Despite this, FromSoftware’s latest game is much more different from the usual souls-like. However, not enough to credit Hidetaka Miyazaki with the creation of another genre.
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, players take on the role of the Wolf, a shinobi by profession and the owner of a miraculous prosthesis by fate. The occupation allows the hero to covertly move around the level and eliminate enemies or even sneak past them. The prosthesis provides the Wolf with various gadgets and adds verticality to the gameplay — with the help of a cat hook.
The main feature of Sekiro is the concentration scale, behind which the health bar is hidden. Focus damage can be dealt not only with a flurry of blows, but also with counterattacks and even well-timed blocks. Ordinary opponents, and often the hero himself, can be killed in one hit by allowing this gauge to empty: this mechanic forces players to be more calculated and not hide behind the block button, as in Dark Souls.
Total War: Shogun 2
Country Part
Torn, but that’s enough.
The shogun raised his sword.
This is the classic strategy of the Total War series, so anyone who is at least a little familiar with the franchise can easily name its main features. The game is divided into global and tactical parts, the gameplay of which is strikingly different and, if desired, can be almost completely ignored.
On the global map, the user will lead one of the clans of the Sengoku period — the «Era of the Warring States». In a step-by-step format, you will need to develop your settlements, conduct religious politics, study technologies, engage in trade and diplomacy. The latter can be helped by special agents — geishas and ninjas.
In tactical mode, the player has a different task — to fight and win. You will have to manage units — infantry, cavalry, archers and their various subspecies — in real time. The outcome of battles always depends on competent command: the general must know the strengths and weaknesses of each unit, correctly deploy troops and choose the right time for maneuvers.
Total War: Shogun 2 also saw the release of the Fall of the Samurai add-on, which covered a later stage in Japanese history. In it, the establishment of relations with foreign countries and technical development significantly influenced the political situation. The player will have to decide: follow the path of the West or stay true to tradition.
Mark of the Ninja
Katana in the Dark
Will not hurt the innocent.
The shadow has evaporated.
At first glance, it might seem that Mark of the Ninja is another representative of two-dimensional platform games that many have been fed up with since eight-bit times. However, it is worth taking a closer look, and it becomes clear that this is a real stealth action.
Technically, each level of Mark of the Ninja is a multifaceted puzzle, the goal of which is to get from point A to point B unnoticed. Various security systems and guards will interfere with this. The latter must be bypassed, hiding in the shadows or distracting them. Killing not only takes away points, but also attracts unnecessary attention. However, no one interferes with the use of an extensive arsenal for more destructive purposes. The main thing is to remember that in an open battle against a pair of submachine gunners, a katana will not help you.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Commandos from heaven
Smiling at us all.
The heir is good.
Shadow Tactics is a ninja Commandos or a samurai Desperados, a more accurate and concise description simply cannot be found. In other words, the game is an isometric real-time party tactics with an emphasis on stealth.
The game takes place in the Edo period, after the events of Nioh, Sekiro and Shogun 2. The shogun tasked five warriors to uncover a plot that threatens their master. Each of the heroes has their own unique abilities and weaknesses. For example, a samurai is effective against any enemy, but is not very mobile. And the old sniper can kill at a great distance, but is defenseless in open combat. The group also includes a ninja, a thief with a set of traps, and a master of disguise.
Shadow Warrior 2
Cannons, magic
Ninja ready to accept, but
Jokes about cocks?
What should a ninja game be like? It, most likely, must necessarily contain elements of stealth, as in Sekiro, Shadow Tactics or Mark of the Ninja, because the word «ninja» itself is translated as «one who hides.» At the very least, it should definitely be close-quarters action — and certainly very serious and mysterious.
Well, Shadow Warrior 2 fails miserably on all these counts. This is a first-person shooter with a lot of «meat» shootouts and toilet humor. Thanks to this and the presence of an RPG-style loot system, the game takes the user more to the expanses of Pandora from Borderlands than to Japan. But it has melee weapons, and the main character is a ninja, so Shadow Warrior deservedly deserved its place on our list.
For Honor
Steel Armor and
Wrath of the Berserker — empty.
Katana swing, death.
The main advantage of For Honor is that it puts an end to the millennial dispute about who is stronger — a knight or a samurai. Rather, the ellipsis, because this is a third-person multiplayer competitive action game, so the one with the straightest arms is usually stronger.
After a mysterious cataclysm, knights, Vikings and samurai clashed on the same battlefield (and in the DLC, Chinese warriors were also brought there). Users can fight as different heroes, including classic samurai and ninja, as well as more exotic fighters. Depending on the mode, players will have to capture points, destroy bots, or fight in a one-on-one format.
Katana Zero
Pixel Ninja
Desires instant death.
Others too.
Modern games are too loyal to users. All these first-aid kits, auto-regeneration, armor, and the very concept of health discourage gamers, forgive mistakes and encourage them to make new ones. Katana Zero goes against the grain of modernity.
In this action-platformer, the protagonist dies from every hit and every bullet caught. Harsh? Maybe. But it is also fair — the enemies die according to the same principle. And the quantitative superiority of opponents is compensated by the protagonist’s ability to slow down time and even beat off a rolled bullet. Add to this stylish pixel art and an unexpectedly deep well-developed story, and we have one of the best indies of 2019.of the year.
Onimusha: Warlords
Resident branch
On the Samurai way.
Where is her remake?
After reading a few samurai-themed games, you start to notice certain clichés. The plot always unfolds in the era of feudal wars — the Sengoku period (XVI century), and historical events are closely intertwined with fantasy ones — not a single battle can do without spirits and demons.
However, Onimusha: Warlords can be forgiven, because it is almost 20 years old — its creators hardly looked back at Nioh or Sekiro. But for them, Resident Evil turned out to be a real role model. At the initial stages of development, the game was even conceived as a spin-off of this survival horror.
The influence of RE can be seen with the naked eye, but still Onimusha is not a direct clone of the zombie franchise. The game differed both in setting and much less emphasis on «survival» mechanics. For example, with the help of a magic glove, the main character in it could suck the souls out of enemies, because of which the fights began not to waste the user’s resources, but, on the contrary, to make him stronger. If frankly outdated game design doesn’t scare you, the remaster released in 2019 is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the classic.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
The Way of Genius
Slasher masters are coming.
Watermelon sliced.
There are such legendary studios in the gaming industry that the mere mention of which makes the knees of the fans shake. Take, for example, Kojima Productions, responsible for the Metal Gear Solid series, or PlatinumGames, developer of Bayonetta, Vanquish, and NieR: Automata. I wonder what will happen if they unite.
Technically, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was not developed by the studios jointly — it was started by Kojima Productions, but completed (if not remade) by PlatinumGames. This is probably why some of the fans were left, to put it mildly, not enthusiastic about the plot of the game and its place in the Metal Gear universe. But there were no complaints about the gameplay.