Way of the Samurai 2 could've been the perfect samurai game. A proof that game development takes more than a great idea.
User Rating: 7 | Samurai Dou 2: Way of the Samurai 2 PS2
I've played and enjoyed the first Way of the Samurai. It's a tough game with an innovative gameplay and immersive background. It had some bothersome flaws but it was more than just an ok game. The release of the sequel made me excited. Would the flaws be fixed? Would I be able to play a adventure/RPG hybrid on feudal Japan? The game had lots of hype. You'd impersonate a ronin trying to make ends meet in feudal Japan. It'd be a rather free game where you'd be allowed live as a honoured samurai, obeying the precepts laid by your ancestors, a greedy assassin or a ruthless member of the Yakusa. The real game did not meet my high expectations. The graphics were ok but the landscape is small and confined to a few city zones. Voice acting is restricted to some movies and a few japanese expressions such as Irrashai (welcome) or Maido (please come again). Translation is just horrible! Some of the japanese expressions have been literally translated to English and only a Japanese speaker could guess what the sentences meant. The main characters are well designed and the story is very good. As it unflonds, more and more options are given to the player. You can ally with the Yakuza, the Shogun or with a bunch of Samurai struggling to keep the meaning of Bushido. It is the game's best feature. Those brave enough to go past the game's flaws will surely appreciate it. Combat is fun but most options, such as collecting swords are just fancy. You do not actually need it. Once you upgrade your basic weapon resistence, you're ready to face any foe. Once you finish the game, you're encouraged to play it again and again to discover alternate endings, new costumes, weapons and weird stuff like shades (which look rather cool). I played it lots of times and unlocked many endings but I did it out of my love for the japanese culture, language and history. An ideal game for Kurosawa fans!
