Summary
A cornerstone of Japanese history and a cultural icon, the Samurai have been a consistent source of fascination in pop culture for decades, from feature films toanime. Originally, they were part of the nobility before going on to become de facto rulers of the country, eventually becoming obsolete as Japan opened up to the Western world.
Video games have been a fertile ground for exploring samurai stories over the years, thanks to the warrior’s code, martial artistry, and mythic status. As characters, they are well suited to historical epics likeGhost of Tsushimabut also to more epic, story-driven titles likeOnimusha.Cut through the chaff with this selection of must-play games.
8Kenseiden
A Blast From The Past
“Castlevaniawith samurai” sums up this forgotten gem from the late 1980s, which was only playable on theSega Master System. It follows much of the formula that made its inspiration such a hit; the player runs from left to right, carving up enemies and making use of power-ups or health items before a boss battle.
A cult classic which is fondly remembered by vintage game fans, the game incorporated Japanese folklore and imagery into its enemy design, and included a suitably atmospheric soundtrack to go with its eye-popping visuals. Much like Japanese sword arts, timing and positioning were a crucial factor in the game’s combat, thanks to its tough-as-nail difficulty.
TheNeo-Geoproduced some of the best and most iconic video game series of all time, fromFatal FurytoMetal Slug.One of the jewels in its crown was theSamurai Shodownseries (also known in Japan asSamurai Spirits), a now legendary fighting game series which was one of the first to introduce weaponry.
Set in feudal Japan and with a formidable roster of characters, it perfectly captured the atmosphere and look of the period, along with some eye-popping comic book visuals. The emphasis was on strategising one’s attack and using an opportune moment to swing the battle in the player’s favour. The second game in the series is seen as its high point, with the perfect balance of gameplay, sound, and graphics.
A real-life samurai duel was very often over in mere seconds, as a single cut from a sword could kill an enemy instantly. One game that took this sobering fact to heart wasBushido Blade, a classic for the original PlayStation, which was a world away from other fighting games of the time.
InBushido Blade, there was no health bar. One hit meant one kill, and the environments were isolated locales like bamboo forests and Japanese castle grounds, which the player could freely move around in. The end result was a deeply atmospheric, tension-filled game that mimicked the high stakes of a real-life sword battle.
Video game giant Capcom played a significant role in reintroducing samurai to pop culture, with thisPlayStation 2juggernaut that was the first game on the platform to sell over a million copies. It was so successful that it jump-started its own franchise, spawning numerous spin-offs and even an anime. Originally intended as another installment in theResident Evilseries, it became its own beast.
The player takes control of Samanosuke Akechi, who must fight off hordes of demons as he embarks on a quest to save a kidnapped princess armed with a magical blade. The DNA ofResident Evilcan be found in the game’s fixed-camera angles and tank controls, which may feel dated by today’s standards, but which also give the game a unique feel only aided by its storytelling and cinematic spectacle.
A breakout indie hit,Katana Zerois a creative, fiendishly compulsive title that throws a bunch of ingredients into the mix in order to create the perfect video game stew. Surgically-precise gameplay is welded to a gritty cyberpunk world and 16-bit inspired visuals, with the story of a samurai assassin who begins to question hisreality in a dystopian future.
The game makes use of a time manipulation mechanic, and the player will need lightning-fast reflexes to get the drop on enemies, as a single hit is all it takes to get a Game Over screen. Unforgiving but never unfair, the game can be completed in a few hours but also has near-endless replayability.
Many samurai stories revolve around either war, revenge, or restoring honor, but what does a samurai do when he’snotconstantly preoccupied with any of the above? That’s the question answered byLike A Dragon: Ishin!, a spin-off oftheYakuzaseriesand a remake of a Japan-only game intended as a launch title for the PlayStation 4 in 2015.
Set in the late 19th-century Edo period, the main narrative focuses on a revenge quest and averting a Japanese civil war. However, the game also allows the player to undertake a series of entertaining side quests, which include singing karaoke, sampling delicious foods and beverages, and helping others in need. Special mention must go to the game’s combat system, which includes traditional swordsmanship but also incorporates pistols and, as with anyYakuzagame, good-old-fashioned brawling.
The real-life historical figure and legendary black samurai Yasuke gets his time to shine in this latest iteration of Ubisoft’s blockbuster franchise. He is one of the two playable characters in the game, with the other being Naoe, a female ninja. As well as the dual protagonists propelling the game’s narrative (in much the same way asResident Evil 2), it also makes for a robust gameplay mechanic, as each has their own particular style.
Set during the Sengoku period in Japan, the game boasts a wealth of authentic aspects, from the game’s look to its soundtrack and presentation. Yasuke makes for a fearsome presence in the game, and his samurai skills are put to good use, with particular attention given to the combat, which feels so vivid that the player can almost feel a samurai sword brushing past their face.
It’sBreath of the WildmeetsShogunin this unforgettable, immersive epic from Sucker Punch games.Ghost Of Tsushimatakes the top spot for many reasons; a depiction of ancient Japan so vibrant that the player can almost smell te waving grass; a dense-but-approachable combat system dependent on utilizing and mastering different stances, and historical weight, as the game is based on the real-life invasion of Japan by Mongols in the 13th century.
There is a huge variety of things to see and do in the game, which gives special emphasis to the samurai arts; the player must not only embrace the way of the sword but also compose haikus, play the flute, visit hot springs, follow auspicious omens, and assist civilians in need of help. From the game’s opening moments to its nail-biting climax, Ghost of Tsushima remains a high watermark for samurai games.
