Way of the Samurai 3

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Way of the Samurai 3 is an open-world action adventure game set in late 19th century Japan. The player assumes the role of a ronin, who becomes involved in the political turmoil of the region. The game offers multiple endings, depending on the player's decisions and actions. Combat is real-time and rewards strategy and quick thinking.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 814 reviews

story65 positive mentions

graphics22 negative mentions

Engaging combat system with a variety of weapons and fighting styles.
Multiple endings and choices that significantly impact the story, encouraging replayability.
Unique and quirky characters that add charm and humor to the game.

Poorly optimized PC port with frequent crashes and control issues.
Outdated graphics and clunky mechanics that may frustrate new players.
Lack of clear guidance and tutorials, making it difficult to navigate the story and quests.

story
384 mentions
17 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story in "Way of the Samurai 3" is characterized by its non-linear structure and player-driven choices, allowing for multiple endings based on actions and interactions with characters. While the setting during the Sengoku era is engaging, many players find the plot underdeveloped and the quest design tedious, often requiring specific actions to unlock story paths. Overall, the game offers a unique storytelling experience that emphasizes freedom and replayability, though it may frustrate those seeking a more cohesive narrative.
- “The game's story really is told through 'inklings' on the map, with you only able to do some based on your actions, and only allowing 12 before the climactic event.”
- “Set during Oda Nobunaga's conquests during the final years of the Sengoku era, it plays more on the roleplaying and immersion aspect, it has plenty of different endings, all of which are affected by everything you do, the order of missions you do, and how you talk to people.”
- “With multiple story paths and endings, you'll want to replay just to see what other quirky adventures await.”
- “The story part of it is dependent on which actions and cutscenes you take part in, so it's kind of a figure it out as you go kind of thing.”
- “This game feels extremely vague in what you should do next in terms of story; I understand you wait for the inklings, but I've beaten the game about 20 times and keep running into similar scenarios with very small differences.”
- “The reason for that is because the story and scenario design is completely idiotic.”
gameplay
140 mentions
33 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Way of the Samurai 3" features deep combat mechanics and a unique push/pull system, though many players find the mechanics poorly explained, making it challenging to grasp initially. While the game offers a mix of sandbox RPG elements and engaging sword fights, it suffers from technical issues and a somewhat clunky execution, leading to a steep learning curve. Despite these drawbacks, players appreciate the replayability and the variety of choices available, which contribute to a fun and rewarding experience once the mechanics are understood.
- “The gameplay is fun, and the story is great just due to how many ways you can play it.”
- “This game still holds up relatively well for its age; the mechanics are really well made, and you will be surprised by the amount of choices you can actually have in this game.”
- “Wots3 has all the jankiness and obscure, but fun gameplay mechanics we've come to expect, but also boasts a more streamlined combat system than its PS2 or PSP predecessors.”
- “A game that's a bit hard to get into, either because of technical issues or from gameplay being poorly explained.”
- “And in terms of gameplay, I have to admit that the game has aged quite poorly and I probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone today.”
- “There is not really a mechanic to teach you what is what except an NPC which will be in the Takatane village.”
graphics
97 mentions
10 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, often compared to those of PS2 titles, and while they may not impress, they do not significantly detract from the overall gameplay experience. Many players acknowledge the charm and passability of the visuals, emphasizing that the engaging mechanics and multiple endings are what truly elevate the game. Despite the dated graphics, the game remains enjoyable for those who prioritize gameplay and story over visual fidelity.
- “Graphics are dated, but I believe they are still passable to this day and shouldn't be too hard on the eyes, unless you can't play games if they aren't 8k resolution, 9000 fps.”
- “The graphics are basically good PS2 era and while it's locked into 30fps, it doesn't take away from the playability of the game.”
- “Ok, so the graphics aren't next gen and the controls can be a little weird to figure out the first time, but it is a game well worth your patience.”
- “The graphics are not amazing, even for a game of that time, but it's still charming.”
- “At the time of this title's console release, some reviewers slighted it as having 'PS2 graphics' despite being an Xbox 360 title.”
- “Without any direction given, and with nonsensical consequences for the decisions you make, terrible graphics, and bad fighting, I am unable to see why this game has so many positive reviews.”
replayability
66 mentions
39 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, featuring over 20 different endings and a variety of weapons and customization options that encourage multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the freedom of choice and the impact of their decisions, which lead to diverse outcomes, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy exploring different narratives. While some reviews note that many endings feel similar, the overall consensus is that the game's design and mechanics provide significant replay value.
- “It has tons of replayability due to the variety of weapons, and more than 20 endings that the game has.”
- “The game has a very deep combat system with a good dozen of combat styles, each with lots of skill tiers, completely over the top characters, 28 endings and an immense amount of replayability.”
- “The replayability is stellar - at the end of every game you accumulate samurai points, and unlock new settings and customization choices, which you can use for subsequent playthroughs.”
- “Infinite replay value as the game is solely aiming for replay value, but generally feels shallow and hollow.”
- “Some replayability, but most endings aren't that different from one another.”
- “The stories can be rather short; I got my first ending in about 3 hours and my second ending in 2, but the replay value keeps you coming back for more.”
music
52 mentions
38 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its fitting blend of traditional Japanese instruments and modern elements, effectively setting the tone for both action and exploration. However, some players have noted issues such as frequent fading out during combat, limited looping, and a repetitive soundtrack that can become monotonous after extended play. While the overall quality of the music is appreciated, opinions vary significantly, with some considering it a highlight of the series and others finding it generic and uninspiring compared to previous installments.
- “The music and sound is fantastic.”
- “From relaxing calm themes to upbeat and fast combat music mixing traditional Japanese instruments with modern.”
- “The soundtrack is also great and sets the tone well for action and the free roam sequences.”
- “The music has always been a strong point in the WOTS series, but it's just plain bad in WOTS3.”
- “Music here is generic and doesn't motivate you in battle like the original WOTS theme.”
- “The soundtrack for the game has less than a handful of songs that play, and if you have played the game for more than 10 hours, you will realize you have heard everything the soundtrack has to offer.”
grinding
50 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to engage in long, monotonous quests to earn money and reputation. Many reviewers noted that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment, with frustrating controls and a lack of direction making the experience feel more like a chore than fun. While some players found the game addictive despite its grindy nature, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding is excessive and detracts from the overall gameplay experience.
- “Seems like you will end up doing these long, tedious quests for hours and hours in order to get money, which sounds like torture to me given how unfun it is to run around areas in this game with the terrible camera and janky controls.”
- “The grinding is pointless, the music is annoying, the characters are bland, the combat ranges from 'I breathed on you, now you're dead.' to 'I am the master of all, you cannot defeat me!'”
- “Unfortunately this degree of player freedom is completely at odds with the way the quest chains leading to endings work, with most of them requiring sequences of incredibly specific actions and interactions in very specific orders, and a bunch of grinding the same handful of jobs to gain reputation with certain characters in between.”
humor
44 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky, self-aware style, blending serious and dramatic writing with absurd and wacky elements that keep players entertained. Players appreciate the unique interactions, funny dialogue, and the ability to customize characters with humorous outfits, all contributing to a lighthearted experience despite occasional gameplay clumsiness. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with engaging mechanics, making it appealing to a niche audience that enjoys its offbeat charm.
- “While the gameplay can be a tad clumsy at times, the silly ragdoll physics and wonky animations will have you chuckling.”
- “The combat is thoroughly satisfying, the dialogue, though often ridiculous, tends to be hilarious, and sometimes surprisingly deep.”
- “Unique and funny interactions around every corner.”
stability
20 mentions
10 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various bugs, glitches, and occasional crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some users have managed to enjoy the game without significant issues, others have encountered frustrating problems such as camera glitches, audio errors, and unresponsive controls. Overall, the game is described as fun but plagued by stability issues that can disrupt gameplay.
- “I thought I would try out the game, and I have to say I am enjoying it so far with no glitches or problems to speak of.”
- “I thought I would try out the game, and I have to say I am enjoying it so far with no glitches or problems to speak of.”
- “Buggy mess of a game.”
- “This game is a piece of buggy, clunky, and directionless piece of shit.”
- “-30fps slight freezes at times, sometimes crashes.”
emotional
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings through touching narratives and serious themes, particularly in "Way of the Samurai 2," which is praised for its humor, emotional depth, and multiple endings. However, some players express disappointment with certain elements that detract from the overall experience, such as inappropriate interactions that clash with the game's serious anti-war message. Overall, the game elicits a mix of wholesome and somber emotions, contributing to its replayability.
- “For me, the most touching story goes to Way of the Samurai 2.”
- “Instead, I got a completely serious anti-war game, with a touching and sometimes really sad story.”
- “Funny, emotional, multiple endings, a ton of replayability and customization, 10/10. Hopefully, we someday get the 5th release.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive depiction of Sengoku-era Japan, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that includes shamisen and Japanese drill music. Reviewers note that the combination of engaging combat, memorable characters, and a rich historical setting creates a captivating experience that is well worth exploring.
- “The combat is fun and diverse, the story is simple but gives rise to great characters, and the atmosphere of Sengoku era Japan is palpable.”
- “People play this lovely game; it's definitely worth your time, the music is on point and the atmosphere is even better.”
- “A plethora of endings, broken enemies, and an impeccable atmosphere to bump some shamisen and Japanese drill to.”
optimization
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some users struggling to run it on Windows 10, requiring compatibility mode and manual configuration adjustments. While one reviewer noted it is "very well optimized" and suggested a high score, others reported performance issues, indicating that optimization may vary significantly among players.
- “Too early to give a score but I think 8/10 is about right since it's very well optimized.”
- “It has a lot of flaws and is hard to get running on Windows 10. I had to run compatibility mode for Windows 7 and disable fullscreen optimizations just to get it to work, and even then I had to change the resolution through the configuration file because trying to do it in-game crashed every time.”
- “I see some are having performance issues.”