Video Game Reviews
Title: Way of the Samurai
Review rating: ***
Platform/console: PS2
Release date: May 2002
Genre: Action/fighting
Players allowed: 1 (2 when versus mode unlocked)
ESRB rating: M (blood, violence)
Production company: Bay Area Multimedia
You’ll enjoy the license for experimentation and discovery
in this open-ended action epic that’s not too long on
time (probably too short for some), but remember there are
consequences for your actions, especially towards other characters.
Certain character reactions are priceless. You may find yourself
making choices that you normally wouldn’t just to see
what would happen. Your choice affects individual characters
and groups of characters especially feuding clans.
The more attacks you know, the better the gameplay which would
elevate beyond the lunge, lunge and hack method. You can pick
your character's name, look, and weapon packing up to 3 swords
at a time and acquiring new ones from vanquished characters.
Explore the environments well and you’ll also find weapons
including hammers, varying swords and axes. Make sure to look
for cash after defeating enemies too so you can upgrade your
weapons. Timing is very important and mastering parry moves
will also help you greatly.
The controls can be hard at times and the lack of camera control
can get annoying at times, but these are minor flaws overall.
The graphics are rich and deep – a product of above
average loading times, but are worth the wait. Think if it
as time to strategize your next plan of action.
Some of the characters and ending “bosses” require
incredibly long fights because the length of time it takes
to kill them is a bit too long. The fantastical elements of
the game could’ve been played up more especially since
damage received from fighting is not realistic. Two cuts from
a sword are too much, but a character who challenges you to
a fight walks away after about a dozen cuts.
There’s no voice acting, just grunts and voice sounds
and no language, but words in balloons giving the game a comic
book aura. You also can’t control the speed which the
words appear, so you may want to pay extra close attention
(which is probably what game developers want you to do anyway).
The tutorial can be the most laboring part of the game. A
revised tutorial where you could practice in real time, instead
of waiting for instruction would’ve been faster. Again
you can’t control the speed which the words appear,
so use some patience because the information you get becomes
very helpful during gameplay. Once you achieve a satisfactory
ending, you can unlock a two player/versus mode which can
help improve your fighting skills, so make sure to save your
progress on your memory card. Overall, an admirable entertaining
experience that gives you the freedom to make the game as
involved as you wish!
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Bay Area Multimedia
®
