Samurai action..as good as it gets!
Graphics:
probably the worst aspect of the game. By no way does that mean they are bad,just that they are not MGS4 crisp, but do just fine for the next gen. I have seen worse on better games in other words.
The textures could have been better but the faces seem well animated and crisp as well as the swords.
Sound:
Very good atmospheric sound. For a second I thought this would put me to sleep, however, the ambiance it provides is peaceful and puts you in the mind of a 19th century Samurai with no cars and Ipod's. The sword clashes, grunts, war screams all sound good. Kudos here.
Game play:
Well this is where it gets interesting. Apparently in this game you play a samurai just finishing a battle and without giving up to much, what you do from this point is entirely up to you. Every action you make causes a reaction there or somewhere else. So it takes a bit of trial and error here. And with 21 endings..well, that's just what you are going to have to do. Speak to everyone, gather items and build your samurai through each game play through. Even death wont stop you, kind of like Dead Rising where you could build your dude even if you died or lost the game.but you get to KEEP ALL YOUR STUFF! cool huh.
Combat:
Is fun and never gets boring. With all the different sword stances and all. And the fact that depending on what you do cause others to view you certain ways, you find yourself in one of those old samurai movies where everywhere you go that people gather someone wants your head. Kind of cool. I haven't gotten and mastered all the styles yet but I have not seen a BEHEADING...my only gripe with combat. Its Japanese, I want a head! Again very fun combat and as this is an open ended game you can fight as much as you want. I would wait until I was a super sword breaker first though: )
Controls:
Smooth, even without the lock on. No complaints here either.
Replay Value:
21 endings, 10,000 combination's of sword parts, 17 heads 18 outfits blah blah blah...Yeah ever and over and over..and ever
Overall:
I am a Samurai, I love this game. Its hard to take your priceless swords off the wall and go outside and save a village, but on WOTS3...All day long baby..If you love Samurai movies, Swords, sowrd play, Japan, the Japanese or all of the above. You wont hesitate to own this title. Its addicting and the closest thing to being a 19th century Samurai as you can get.
Then again I am probably 20 years older than the game spot reviewer..But you guys need to man up over there and learn that the Japanese have always made better and more challenging games. Then again, probably the same guys that don't like our 1,2,3 thanks for joining the server on Call of Duty...GET BETTER REVIEWERS GAME SPOT...these guys suck at it.