Software:Way of the Samurai

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Short description: 2002 video game
For the samurai code of conduct, see Bushidō.
Way of the Samurai
North American cover art
Developer(s)Acquire
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Koshi Nakanishi
Designer(s)Haruyuki Ohashi
Writer(s)Hiroaki Mirua
Shogo Sakamoto
Composer(s)Noriyuki Asakura
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • JP: February 7, 2002
  • NA: May 30, 2002[1]
  • PAL: September 13, 2002
Kanzenban
  • JP: January 16, 2003
PlayStation Portable
  • JP: September 18, 2008
Genre(s)Action-adventure, action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Way of the Samurai, known in Japan as Samurai (侍), is a PlayStation 2 action-adventure game developed by Acquire and released in 2002.

Set in 19th century Japan, the player takes on the role of a rōnin who wanders into a remote village and becomes involved in a conflict between rival clans. A notable feature of the game is the branching storyline, which allows player decisions to radically alter the course of the story.

An updated version titled Samurai Kanzenban (侍〜完全版〜, Samurai Complete Edition) was released in Japan in 2003. It was based on the Western versions of the game, and as such, it included the non-sword weapons, bugfixes, the exit for ending the game early, hard mode, and horizontal text of those versions.[2] The game was followed by three sequels. Way of the Samurai was also released on PlayStation Portable under the name Samurai Dō Portable (侍道ポータブル, Samurai Dō Pōtaburu) on September 18, 2008 in Japan, prior to the release of Way of the Samurai 3.

Plot

The story of Way of the Samurai takes place in 1878, after the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and the start of the Meiji period, during the Satsuma Rebellion, a time when the samurai who were once at the top of Japanese society are all but outlawed. The game begins with the player, taking the role of a wandering rōnin by the name of Kenji, arriving in a fictional outpost called Rokkotsu Pass.

Rokkotsu Pass is a sparsely populated village, whose main attractions include a railway crossing, a small restaurant, and an iron foundry. Three separate factions are competing for control of the Pass, each with their own agenda. The first is the new centralized government, whose army has been sweeping through the country securing power from the local warlords. The government army is well-funded and equipped with modern weaponry, including firearms and cannons, making them formidable opponents for the former samurai lords.

The second faction is the Kurou family, who previously held sway in Rokkotsu Pass and continue to exert their influence on the people through extortion and intimidation. Led by Tesshin Kurou, the family is resisting the government's attempt to take control of the pass, however the samurai cannot compete with the modern army. In an attempt to secure funds, the Kurou intend to sell the iron foundry to the government.

This decision by the Kurou puts them in direct opposition to the Akadama clan, whose leader, Kitcho, is the illegitimate son of Tesshin Kurou. The Akadama wish to expel the government forces from the pass, and plan to sabotage the Kurou family's attempt to sell the foundry.

Caught in the middle of this power struggle are the village peasants, who are likely to be oppressed regardless of who is in control.

Branching plot

Although the story in Way of the Samurai follows the basic framework provided above, the actual events that the player participates in depend greatly on the decisions made while playing. Immediately upon entering Rokkotsu Pass, the player is confronted by a group of samurai attempting to kidnap a young girl. The player has the choice of helping the girl, joining the abductors, or ignoring the situation altogether. Each of these decisions will lead the player down a different path, resulting in a vastly different view of the main plot points.

The player's decisions will also have a direct result on Kenji's allegiance within the storyline. The player may choose to join either the Kurou family or the Akadama clan, to support and protect the innocent villagers, or to take no side and observe the events as an outsider with minimal direct involvement. The player may also choose to help one faction and then switch allegiance later in the game.

As a result of these branching storylines, Way of the Samurai has six different endings; the particular ending obtained by the player is based on which faction, if any, Kenji has allied himself with and the actions taken during the course of the game.

Gameplay

Aside from the player's direct involvement in choosing the plot, gameplay in Way of the Samurai focuses heavily on combat. Fighting is done almost entirely with various samurai swords available in the game. Way of the Samurai features over 40 different types of swords, however the player begins with access to only one. By defeating enemies, the player can then take the fallen character's sword to add to his or her own inventory. The player may only carry a maximum of three swords at a time. Once per game, the player may leave one additional sword with the swordsmith, Dojima, and have it delivered to his or her sword collection.

Combat

The player will often have the choice of whether or not to engage in combat with a specific non-player character, however once combat is engaged the player is likely to be forced into fighting several opponents at once.

Kenji has a basic set of moves that are available with all weapons, consisting of a regular attack, a strong attack, a block, and a kick. There are numerous variations and combinations of the basic moves available depending on the particular sword equipped at the time. By defeating opponents or collecting special items Kenji can also unlock special attacks and combinations specific to each weapon. There are also several different fighting stances, depending on the particular sword equipped, each of which comes with its own fighting style.

This is the only installment in the series so far that offers a versus mode for two players.

Sword enhancement

Each of the swords available in the game has several attributes which influence its effectiveness in battle. These attributes can be enhanced using special items found, or by visiting the in-game swordsmith.

  • Sharpness: Attack strength, increases/decreases the amount of damage caused when an opponent is struck with the sword
  • Flexibility: Defensive strength, increases/decreases the amount of damage suffered when the player is struck by an opponent
  • Durability: Sword strength, increases the amount of heat the sword can generate before breaking (heat is generated by striking or blocking, and displayed using an on-screen meter)
  • Life: Increases/decreases the total number of the players hit points.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic74/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge6/10[4]
EGM7/10[5]
Eurogamer7/10[6]
Famitsu31/40[7]
Game Informer7.5/10[8]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[9]
GameSpot7.1/10[10]
GameSpy82%[11]
GameZone8.5/10[12]
IGN7.8/10[13]
OPM (US)StarStarStarHalf star[14]

The game received "mixed or average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40.[7]

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (May 30, 2002). "Bam Ships Way of the Samurai". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/30/bam-ships-way-of-the-samurai. 
  2. ↑ "侍/侍～完全版～/侍道ポータブル - ゲームカタログ@Wiki ～名作からクソゲーまで～" (in ja). https://w.atwiki.jp/gcmatome/pages/5871.html#id_3b06b02a. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Way of the Samurai for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/way-of-the-samurai/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  4. ↑ Edge staff (November 2002). "Way of the Samurai". Edge (Future Publishing) (116). 
  5. ↑ EGM staff (August 2002). "Way of the Samurai". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (157): 130. 
  6. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (September 27, 2002). "Way of the Samurai [date mislabeled as "November 17, 2006""]. Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-wayofthesamurai-ps2. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "プレイステーション2 - 侍~SAMURAI~" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 915: 90. June 30, 2006. https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9228&redirect=no. Retrieved July 11, 2022. 
  8. ↑ "Way of the Samurai". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (111): 81. July 2002. 
  9. ↑ Star Dingo (May 31, 2002). "Way of the Samurai Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/23900.shtml. Retrieved July 11, 2022. 
  10. ↑ Fielder, Joe (June 10, 2002). "Way of the Samurai Review". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/way-of-the-samurai/1900-2870143/. 
  11. ↑ Steinberg, Steve (June 19, 2002). "Way of the Samurai". IGN Entertainment. http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/june02/wotsps2/. 
  12. ↑ Knutson, Michael (June 9, 2002). "Way of the Samurai Review". http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19738.htm. 
  13. ↑ Smith, David (June 4, 2002). "Way Of The Samurai". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/04/way-of-the-samurai. 
  14. ↑ "Way of the Samurai". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (59): 111. August 2002. 
  • Acquire page
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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