Jumat, 10 Januari 2020

Mobygames (407)

Way of the Samurai
Way of the Samurai PlayStation 2 Front Cover  Way of the Samurai PlayStation 2 Back Cover

 This is a story of the Way of the Samurai in their final days. Warring factions are vying for control of feudal Japan. At Rokkotsu Pass, three groups wrestle for power. Into this conflict walks a lone samurai who is quickly swept up into battles that threaten to engulf the entire region.

Combat, deception and betrayal are tools to be used at will. So grasp your sword and prepare yourself, for history is forged in the fires of battle.

Way of the Samurai 2
Way of the Samurai 2 PlayStation 2 Front Cover  Way of the Samurai 2 PlayStation 2 Back Cover

 Acquire's second Way of the Samurai game is designed to offer the authentic settings, deep sword-fighting system, and cause-and-effect role-playing found in the original, while boosting the graphics and enhancing the interface. Characters can obtain as many as 60 different swords and, with the proper equipment and practice, perform more than 100 different special moves. Also as in the original, the hero must choose his own path through the plot lines, and the decisions he makes can drastically affect the outcome of the story.

The adventure begins as the player's lone samurai warrior comes upon a small, remote village mired in the midst of large, internal dispute. The traditional village leaders favor fealty to feudalistic powers that are becoming prominent throughout the land, while a group of outlaw rebels, known as the Aoto, vehemently oppose acquiescence to the regional authority. As the main character and hero of the story, the player must bring resolution to this conflict, and peace to the town, in whatever Way he deems best.

There is a realistic day and night cycle and various strategical elements. You can talk to various characters, accept tasks and shop for new items. Decisions influence the relationships with the different groups. There are 60 swords, hammers and clubs to choose from, and you have to keep a variable quality and durability level in mind. You can perform both offensive and defensive moves, and even perform special actions. Swords can be enhanced or upgraded in stores, according to your fighting style.

Way of the Samurai 3
Way of the Samurai 3 PlayStation 3 Front Cover 
Way of the Samurai 3 PlayStation 3 Back Cover

 Way of the Samurai 3 follows the same principles as its predecessors and is once again designed to offer an authentic settings, a deep sword-fighting system, and cause-and-effect role-playing. This time around the game takes place during the Sengoku Period and puts the players into the sandals of a lone samurai. As the only survivor of an epic battle, he enters the world of Amana which is currently ruled by Shuzen Fujimori who had overthrown the former superior Lord Sakurai. But the Fujimori Clan isn't very liked in the region so Shuzen has to rule the area with an iron fist in order to keep control.

The player is thrown into this struggle and has to decide if he wants to join Fujimori Clan, Ouka Clan (formed by former members of the Sakurai Clan), protect the villagers in Takatana who just want peace or just get out of Amana for good (which will lead to a complete reset of the game). The game offers the player almost complete freedom to roam the eight zones of Amana while looking over the shoulder of his avatar. The overall story arc allows for over 20 possible endings. Which one the player gets, depends on his actions and choices throughout the game - including if he always bumps into people, making them angry and attack the player. To that end, the length of the game greatly varies depending on what the player does. The shortest way e.g. would be to just go and kill both faction leaders which can theoretically be done in less than an hour thanks to the ability to often even act during cut-scenes and dialogues.

While they play out and even during normal gameplay, the player has three choices: listen, apologise/beg or attack. Begging a merchant will earn the player a free item but will also greatly reduce the respect the merchant has for the player which in the end may lead to less Samurai Points after death or completion of the game. The game is divided into different scenes with the next possible ones marked on the in-game map, making it easier for the player to follow the red ribbon.

The game features a realistic day and night cycle which has a great affect on the NPCs who live their ordinary lives even without the player interfering. The player can talk to various characters, accept different jobs (only one at a time) and shop for new items. In addition are also a few mini-games like chopping up vegetables or fillet fish. Decisions influence the relationships with the different groups changing the way they interact with the player and there are dozens of swords, hammers and spears to choose with which he can defend himself. He has to to keep the variable quality and durability level in mind though. With these weapons, the player can perform both offensive and defensive moves depending on his fighting style, and even special actions. There are several dozen moves available for unlock which will even stay available for each new game. More importantly the player can decide if he wants to kill an person or fight with a blunt weapon. While killing can be bad for the reputation, throwing down an enemy only with a blunt attack will result in another meeting further down the road for sure. If the right weapon isn't dropped by an enemy, the player can go to the blacksmith and forge a new one out of spare parts or enhance and upgrade an existing one, according to his fighting style and in exchange for money.

During the course of the game, the player will also meet several possible partners. While some will join him in exchange for money, other can be "romanced". In any case the person will then follow the player around, giving him an additional edge in combat and also unlocking access to mini-games and side jobs which can only be done with two people. The romance with the partner can even go as far as the partner deciding to live with him in his home in Takatane village. There the player can sleep till a certain hour in order to restore his health and has access to a weapons safe as well as a closet where he can story his stuff as he can only carry three weapons at a time and no additional clothing.

Way of the Samurai 4 
Way of the Samurai 4 PlayStation 3 Front Cover  Way of the Samurai 4 PlayStation 3 Back Cover

 Similar to previous games in the series, Way of the Samurai 4 is a game where your choices in previous playthroughs affect what you might encounter on your next playthrough. And that is beside the fact that game itself lets you do pretty much whatever you want, and the actions and choices you make will have consequences and will affect the overall story experience. You start the game with somewhat limited character customization, but that gets richer and richer as you replay the game several times. Whether you want to be a ruthless killer and mow down anyone you see, or try and be more of a people's person which will yield more items to purchase at the stores, the game will adapt to your choices. The game has around 10 different endings, some of which can be achieved in short time, while others will take more time. The game offers side-quests and places to explore in the open world. You can also recruit town people to join you and help you in your quests.

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