Sword of the Samurai

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 115 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Sword of the Samurai Game Cover
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"Sword of the Samurai" is a role-playing, action-adventure game set in feudal Japan, where you play as a samurai striving for honor and power. Experience real-time battles, duels, and strategic decision-making, as you aim to unify the country under your rule. With customizable difficulty levels and engaging computer-controlled opponents, the game offers a challenging and immersive experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Ms Dos
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 115 reviews
graphics6 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • The game offers a deep and immersive experience set in the Sengoku period of Japan, allowing players to engage in various gameplay styles including strategy, role-playing, and sword fighting.
  • Players can enjoy a high level of replayability with multiple paths to success, including diplomacy, assassination, and military conquest, making each playthrough unique.
  • Despite its age, the game is praised for its engaging mechanics and the ability to create a personal story, with many players expressing nostalgia and enjoyment from their experiences.
  • The controls are often described as clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for new players to learn how to play without external resources or manuals.
  • The graphics and sound are outdated, which may deter modern players who are accustomed to contemporary gaming standards.
  • Some players feel that the game lacks sufficient guidance or tutorials, leading to frustration when trying to understand gameplay mechanics and objectives.
  • graphics29 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting the limitations of its era with EGA/VGA visuals and simplistic artwork. While some players appreciate the retro charm and immersive experience it offers, others find the graphics unappealing and reminiscent of 80s programming. Overall, the consensus is that while the visuals may not meet modern standards, they do not detract significantly from the game's engaging mechanics and historical immersion.

    • “Game is fantastic; it keeps it kind of real to history, but at least it doesn't go haywire. I love the graphics; I love old stuff like this. It brings back the old days. Great game, definitely a buy.”
    • “The ukio-e styled artwork and shamisen MIDI music is so good it's bad retro.”
    • “Despite old graphics and rudimentary sound, it somehow manages to immerse you in its fascinating world, as you anxiously think of your next move.”
    • “The graphics are very dated.”
    • “Despite the obviously outdated mechanics, controls and graphics, it still gives you an immersive experience in the Sengoku period in Japan.”
    • “Obviously, this is an old game and if the older graphics are a problem for you, you may not enjoy it.”
  • gameplay17 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its depth and variety, offering an immersive experience set in Japan's Sengoku period, despite some outdated mechanics and controls. Players enjoy the fun, cause-and-effect choices and the blend of different gameplay styles, though new players may need to familiarize themselves with the controls. While the graphics may be retro, the solid mechanics and engaging gameplay make it a recommended title for those who appreciate immersive experiences.

    • “This game is amazing, super deep gameplay with lots of variety.”
    • “Gameplay: fun gameplay with cause and effect choices to make.”
    • “Gameplay is good and has enough variety to not become too repetitive since every game stage adds certain flavor.”
    • “Despite the obviously outdated mechanics, controls, and graphics, it still gives you an immersive experience in the Sengoku period in Japan.”
    • “The controls were an issue at first, as all of these styles of gameplay require different button inputs.”
    • “The one major gameplay flaw I've found is there's not really any honorable way to increase your rice income except for military conquest of foreign lands, but you need rice income to recruit soldiers to participate in campaigns.”
  • story17 mentions

    The game's story is set in 16th century Japan during a tumultuous period of civil war, allowing players to craft their own narratives through various missions and encounters. While the graphics and presentation may feel dated, the immersive gameplay offers a rich tapestry of choices, from stealthy assassinations to large-scale conquests, as players rise from lowly samurai to powerful daimyo. The freedom to shape one's destiny amidst chaotic sociopolitical shifts is a central theme, making for a unique and engaging storytelling experience.

    • “The possibilities are truly endless, and the story can get as challenging as you want it to become.”
    • “It's a period of violent civil war and chaotic sociopolitical shifts, so there's plenty of room for you to carve out an interesting story all your own.”
    • “You start off as a low-level feudal lord and gain power and honor through missions or random encounters that come out as one of three mini-games.”
    • “I can't exactly say it's aged particularly well (just look at that color palette!), but it's an interesting concept—perhaps akin to what we now call 'immersive sims.' You're basically let loose in 16th century Japan and have almost total freedom to create whatever kind of story you want.”
    • “Take a quest to save a noble's daughter, storm an outlaw fortress, and single-handedly kill every bandit on the island, ending with a Mike Tyson punch-out style sword fight where only one man will walk away; you have now gained one point of fame, 99 to go till you rule all of Japan now, boy.”
    • “You start out as a lowly samurai doing jobs for your daimyo (fighting in top-down Zelda style battles, battling in one-on-one sword duels, and even going on assassination missions) until you're promoted to daimyo yourself, at which point it becomes more of a strategy game where you have to birth heirs (or face game over with your death) and slowly start conquering every province of Japan until you can claim yourself emperor in one giant RTS battle.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its high replayability, with users highlighting its atmospheric design and engaging gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers note that the combination of depth and simplicity contributes to an entertaining experience that remains interesting over time.

    • “A great game that has endless replayability with a deep but outwardly simple design.”
    • “But the experience is very entertaining, and there is a lot of replay value.”
    • “It's replayable, it's interesting, and it's also really fun.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is a mix of retro charm and cultural homage, featuring ukioe-styled artwork and shamisen-inspired MIDI tracks that some find delightfully nostalgic. While opinions vary, many appreciate the soundtrack for its strong connection to Japanese imagery and themes, enhancing the overall experience. However, some critiques mention a lack of depth in the music and story.

    • “The ukiyo-e styled artwork and shamisen MIDI music is so good it's bad retro.”
    • “The game itself is steeped in Japanese imagery and music, and bows low to feudal Japan's system of honor and caste.”
    • “Good soundtrack.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, with players finding the writing to be genuinely hilarious and filled with surprising moments based on their choices. Despite some criticisms regarding graphics, the comedic elements contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “There are also surprises depending on your choices; the writing is quite hilarious as well.”
    • “Lol, it's rather funny, but I still love the game and feel it deserves a full-fledged remake with a brand new GUI and some halfway decent graphics.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly during final boss fights, which can feel frustrating. Many initially believe that grinding is the primary method for leveling up, as progression often relies on defeating more powerful enemies.

    • “The final boss fights can be tedious and annoying, but how else do you simulate a sword fight on such restrictive hardware?”
    • “For my first playthrough, I thought that grinding was the only way to rank up, and ranking up usually only happens when the higher power dies.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, contributing to a compelling and replayable experience.

    • “Extremely atmospheric and replayable.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game has been optimized for modern systems, allowing players to enjoy it directly on Windows with improved sound directions, enhancing the overall experience compared to its original DOS version.

    • “I played it originally on DOS and then DOSBox; this version allows play straight from Windows with optimized sound directions.”
    • “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, making it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
    • “Despite the promising graphics, the optimization is so poor that frame rates drop significantly during intense scenes.”
    • “I experienced frequent crashes and long loading times, indicating a lack of proper optimization for modern hardware.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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