News by Matt S. & Lindsay M.
Way of the Samurai 3 was developed by Acquire and originally released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3 in Japan. It came to Europe and North America 11 months later, and was available on the Xbox 360 as well as the PlayStation 3. In the game, a fictional land named Amana is ruled by a rising lord who overthrew his superior to become ruler. The civilians in Amana become overworked and overtaxed, leading to feelings of animosity directed to their new leader.
The player (or you, dear reader!) takes on the role as a nameless character, created by piecing together heads and bodies. Way of the Samurai 3 is action-driven, so you are often left to select dialogue and actions. Interestingly enough, you can actually draw your weapon during any cut scene. An end-game title is given based on how well your samurai performs, as are Samurai Points that unlock heads, clothes, abilities, and secrets. Players are actually (refreshingly) encouraged to be honourable and Samurai Points will be deducted for those acts not quite so kind.
Combat is melee-focused, with over 100 weapons available including said swords as well as spears and joke weapons (including a fish, whoop!). Blacksmiths can increase a sword’s value and stats, and can also piece together new weapons from found parts. Each player also has a partner (there are over a dozen available) who acts like an NPC that can tag along through your quest. Some jobs actually require two characters to complete, not to mention partners bring in new abilities, so partners can be incredibly valuable assets.
What else you can expect from the game, based on the Ghostlight media release:
- The Butterfly Effect – More than 20 different endings. Your every action, no matter how subtle or ludicrous, could set in motion a huge variety of events, allowing for huge replayability. Explore new narrative paths, reveal new allies… and enemies!
- Huge Customization – Craft your own unique weapons from over 200 different parts. Create the ultimate unbreakable weapon to suit your preferred fighting style. Forge lethal swords, spears, pole axes and more outlandish weaponry and discover hundreds of new abilities as you become a true master of each weapon!
- Reward System and Samurai Rating – Your actions and conduct will reward you with Samurai Points and Titles, all of which unlock new game features, customisation options, outfits and accessories. Live as an honourable samurai, wallow in the low life of a bandit or strike your own path! Your choices lead to new endings, strange followers and other unexpected outcomes.
- The Pen Can Be Mightier Than the Sword – Fight your enemies by force or take the diplomatic route, using subtle gestures like the unsheathing of your sword or kowtowing. Featuring an extensive dialogue tree, combo system and much, much more!
If this sounds good to you, then we’ve got even better news. Though we don’t have a firm release date just yet, Ghostlight promises that work on the port is nearly done, so we can expect it soon.
Get ready for one of the most surreal, and funny, open world games you’ll ever play.
– Matt S. & Lindsay M.
Editor-in-Chief & News Editor
