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Way of the Samurai 4

PlayStation 3, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2015

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Quick resume

Way of the Samurai 4 takes place in the humble port town of Amihama during the mid 19th Century, several years after the arrival of the “black ships” from the West ended Japan’s long history of cultural isolation.

Global score

78/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG)

Pros

  • Extensive player freedom and choice
  • High replayability with multiple endings
  • Deep customization of characters, weapons, and fighting styles
  • Humorous and quirky narrative tone
  • Stable pc port with controller support

Cons

  • Outdated graphics and 30 fps cap
  • Some technical issues and bugs reported
  • Steep learning curve for combat and mechanics
  • Limited mouse support and awkward keyboard controls
  • Small game world and repetitive side quests

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    5

    "Players have extensive freedom to make choices, craft weapons and fighting styles, and shape the story and character development."

  • Competence
    3

    "Combat has a learning curve with multiple fighting styles and weapon upgrades, rewarding skill mastery and progression."

  • Competition
    -2

    "Focus is on personal story progression and exploration rather than competing against other players."

  • Continuation
    4

    "High replayability with multiple endings, carrying over progress and items encourages repeated playthroughs."

  • Cooperation
    -3

    "Primarily a single-player experience with limited multiplayer or cooperative elements."

  • Creativity
    5

    "Extensive customization of characters, weapons, fighting styles, and accessories allows creative expression."

  • Domination
    -3

    "Interactions are mostly balanced and story-driven rather than focused on exerting power over others."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Provides an immersive, quirky samurai world with humorous and fantastical elements for escapism."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and curiosity rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting
    5

    "Encourages trying new fighting styles, story paths, and weapon combinations across multiple playthroughs."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Players explore a small but detailed town with branching storylines and hidden quests."

  • Expression
    5

    "Strong character and accessory customization supports self-expression."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Set in a fictionalized late Edo Japan with exaggerated characters and humorous, improbable events."

  • Fellowship
    -4

    "Focus is on solo play with minimal social or community interaction."

  • Growth
    4

    "Players develop skills, unlock new moves, and improve weapons through repeated play."

  • Health
    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires active attention and engagement during combat and story progression."

  • Intimacy
    2

    "Includes social interactions and dating elements, but limited to scripted NPC relationships."

  • Leadership
    3

    "Players can lead a dojo and recruit disciples, managing their training and fighting styles."

  • Progression
    5

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating weapons, upgrades, fighting styles, and unlockables across playthroughs."

  • Relaxation
    2

    "Humorous tone and open-ended gameplay provide some relaxation, though combat can be challenging."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Visual and auditory style is functional but not advanced; quirky humor adds emotional stimulation."

  • Status
    -2

    "Recognition is mostly personal and story-based rather than social or competitive."

  • Story
    4

    "Branching narrative with multiple endings and consequences for player choices."

  • Strategy
    3

    "Combat and story choices require planning and tactical thinking, especially in harder difficulties."

  • Thrill
    2

    "Combat and story events provide some tension and excitement but not sustained high suspense."

  • Value
    3

    "Good replay value and content for the price, especially on sale."

  • Violence
    4

    "Combat involves sword fighting, beating up NPCs, and violent encounters as core gameplay."

  • Survival
    2

    "Combat requires avoiding death and managing resources like weapon durability and stamina."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026