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Way of the Samurai
Short and doesn't look like much, but it's an unusual game that can be a lot of fun.
70
PSM Magazine
It has unusually charming gameplay, and lots of atmospheric mileage despite cut-rate production values. [July 2002, p.39]
78
Some players may be turned off by the game's simple looks and occasionally cumbersome control, but sticking with Way of the Samurai reveals considerable depth.
10
YagamiTendo2025
Great title that ported into PSP, if dont understand Japanese language too bad for people who give WOTS1 bad review just because dont understood Japanese. Branching story makes game deeper and they have 2-players versus mode as well. But there's some flaws like fixed camera and the game only allowed to load the save file once before it deleted itself which quite annoying for some reason. But still good game for me which for everyone seems underrated.
7
TrueOptimist
A really neat take on a samurai adventure game. This is actually a rogue-like, which is not something you really saw at this time. While the story is fairly short, there is a lot of replayability. The sword play is serviceable and little bit above what you would expect for a PS2 game at the time.
8
Divine-Libertas
Before we had Ghost of Tsushima and Like a Dragon: Ishin, there was Way of the Samurai. This is a game that I have spent hundreds of hours in and while it wasn't perfect, it was a great Samurai game. Highly recommended!

Way of the Samurai

Released On: 
May 31, 2002
Metascore
74
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
My Score
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Metascore
45% Positive
10 Reviews
55% Mixed
12 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
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95
GameCritics
Unlike many other games that take a linear non-interactive approach, Way Of The Samurai is immersive and interactive every step of the way.
82
GameSpy
Despite some clunky inventory management and some frustrating camera angles, this'll be a game that you'll go back to whenever you're up for a couple of hours of mayhem and swordplay.
User score
Generally Favorable
60% Positive
18 Ratings
33% Mixed
10 Ratings
7% Negative
2 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Mar 4, 2025
10
YagamiTendo2025
Great title that ported into PSP, if dont understand Japanese language too bad for people who give WOTS1 bad review just because dont understood Japanese. Branching story makes game deeper and they have 2-players versus mode as well. But there's some flaws like fixed camera and the game only allowed to load the save file once before it deleted itself which quite annoying for some reason. But still good game for me which for everyone seems underrated.
Feb 16, 2023
10
Haydenleej
This game is super underrated. In a world where we don’t get many samurai games I can’t believe people underrate this series so much. The only reason this game gets bad reviews is because of reviewers that probably couldn’t understand the permadeath system.
78
Gaming Maxx
It’s a little short, and it doesn’t have a great variety of play, but WotS will satisfy those longing for a Bushido Blade 2 sequel.
70
Adrenaline Vault
While the combat mechanics aren't as involved as "Bushido Blade," the combat system is solid, and there are RPG-lite elements to add to the mix.
70
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Samurai's unique but ultimately clunky combat system avoids repititious button-mashing with parry-and-dodge techniques that keep you on your toes. [August 2002, p.130]
60
G4 TV
The battle system makes up for the mediocre production values, as does the many incentives to play this title over and over again.
50
Thunderbolt
Playing through Way of the Samurai unlocks a battle mode for you and a friend, but it’s still missing something, and just remains average, which is the main fault of the game.
See All 22 Critic Reviews
Sep 3, 2020
10
Neverender69
This was a fantastic game. It was such a unique game for me to play back when I went to my friends house & played it. You're thrown into something that is akin to a old Japanese samurai story from back in the day. A lone wanderer that is thrust in the middle of feuding clans. All while the government is trying to end the era of the samurai. You can choose your side, or chose to avoid the entire conflict. I'd never played a game that gives you such options back then. Plus the gameplay was A+ stuff. It was so fun learning the sword techniques & learning how to best combat each style. Characters were very cool & interesting as well! If you're into old Japanese movies, then you will love playing this. It has very solid replay value, multiple ending & offers a wide variety of ways to go about finding those endings. I give this game a 10 & the highest recommendation for those that love a good samurai story.
Apr 14, 2014
10
jkvasn
This is truly an underrated gem. There are put-offs, but It has the most solid combat I have ever seen. The first installment is - hands down - the best one in the series. Its sequels subtract from the fun and add to the boring. They totally miss the point. IT WAS A FUN ACTION GAME and they're trying to make it into some fetch-quest crap! The combat feels amazing and fluid - unlike hack-n-slashers, each opponent you face puts you in a state of great focus and concentration as you try to time inputs just right and pull off certain moves in a sequence ALL WHILE CONSIDERING YOUR ENVIRONMENT. Different swords grant different fighting styles - which are fun to experiment with and see what suits you best. It plays very similar to a 2d arcade fighter (joystick movement > button) which grants versatility. Once you get the hang of things IT'S SO FLUID! There's recovery attacks for when you're on the ground, attacks that cover a distance, attacks that have good crowd control, etc.. This may sound pretty standard, but this game does it the best. your enemies aren't paper - they have just as much fight as you do. This challenge grants more satisfaction when you defeat an opponent. CONS: The difficulty and unforgivingness would turn a lot of people off I think - heck it really turned me off. There's permi-death and you lose all your gear. This ****, so I got into the habit of copying my save onto a second memory card :P. I also used cheats for sanity's sake (health, sword durability, etc) as well as other tricks. The music is REALLY GOOD. Composed by the same guy who wrote the Rurouni Kenshin score. I know every kid want's to grow up and make viddeygames - but if I were to ever produce a game, it would be an attempt to polish this diamond in the rough and bring a true action sword brawler to the masses. But until then, the only way to experience that is to play this game.
Apr 3, 2024
7
TrueOptimist
A really neat take on a samurai adventure game. This is actually a rogue-like, which is not something you really saw at this time. While the story is fairly short, there is a lot of replayability. The sword play is serviceable and little bit above what you would expect for a PS2 game at the time.
Mar 1, 2017
7
DreamEaglr
Достаточно интересная игра, которая предлагает множество возможностей прожить несколько дней и ли недель в жизни Ронина
Aug 13, 2019
1
shootingstars99
Coming from someone who loves a game with a stellar combat system, sadly this game is not it. The controls feel clunky, and that they wanted to make their own adventure style take on 'Bushido Blade', and reinvent the wheel in regards to the control scheme. The story is bland and uninteresting to follow, and combine that with the fact that the combat has no real stand out to it, and in fact seems a little odd with how it is non-intuitive at first, this is neither a hidden gem nor a cult classic, just another game in a sea of half baked action games of yesterday, overshadowed by games that have stood the test of time. Way of the Samurai is about as cool as the part in the code of Bushido that says "only a man can truly satisfy another man".
See All 9 User Reviews
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SummarySword-based combat is at the heart of Way of the Samurai. As the adventure begins, the player has his own sword and basic knowledge of its use in battle. As he moves through the game, the player become more adept at using his sword and learns new attacks. The player also has the ability to pick up dozens of different sword, each represen... Read More
Rated Mfor Mature
  • PSP
  • PlayStation 2
May 31, 2002
Bam Entertainment
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