Way of the Samurai 2 coming to US

After several months on the market in Japan, Way of the Samurai is making its way to America. Capcom will release the PlayStation 2-only fighting game, which will be rated "M for Mature, in the US this summer.

Developed by Acquire, Way of the Samurai 2 will build on its predecessor's mix of fighting and adventure. The game will be set in a war-torn town during the end of Feudal Japan's Edo period. Players will be torn between the town's corrupt magistrate and a group of leaderless ronin. Its story will occur over 10 days (versus Way of the Samurai's two) and will have a much larger cast of characters and a larger slate of side quests. Players will also be able to play as one of three different samurai types--a wandering youth hardened by battle, a fierce warrior with shabby clothing (think Yojimbo), and a modest-but-deadly master swordsman. Among the new features are:

• Realistic swordfighting action based on traditional Japanese samurai films.
• Outcomes that are determined by the choices a player makes, which include different scenarios and endings.
• New sword positions and fighting techniques, which include twin-sword style and quick slash.
• More than 400 special moves that vary according to the weapon used.
• The ability to upgrade and collect more than 60 powerful swords by defeating enemies. Blades can then be strengthened at the blacksmith, and new techniques can be mastered.
• A new one-slash kill system that lets players knock enemies off-balance with a hard attack or counterattack. It then allows them to finish off enemies with a one-slash hit.
• More interactive settings that let players visit shops, talk to locals, and earn money through jobs or tasks.
• The abilities to purchase and find an array of rare items throughout the game.

GameSpot will have more details on the game as they become available.