Summary
Being able to play as asamuraiin any kind of game is always exciting and a most welcome experience. There’s just something about the historical period these famous individuals lived in that can elevate any gameplay beyond perfection. Some samurai games, likeGhost of Tsushima,areset in beautiful open worlds, whereas others focus on hack and slash combat mechanics and smaller settings.
There are also outstandingRPGs featuring a samurai class, which almost always allow players to make the most out of the combat mechanics present in any title. Here are some of thebest games that let players take on the role of a historical samurai.
Onimusha: Warlordsis set primarily during the famous Japanese Sengoku period and follows the story of Samanosuke Akechi, who is based on Akechi Hidemitsu, a Japanese samurai of the same historical period.
After receiving a letter from his cousin Princess Yuki, Samanosuke will have to start a journey towards saving her while taking on demonic creatures known as Genma. This is no easy task, so Samanosuke is granted special powers by the Oni clan to have a fighting chance against such evil and mighty threats. While they don’t have a lot in common,Onimusha: Warlordsis an outstanding title thatthose who enjoyedFate/Samurai Remnantmight appreciate as well.
LikeOnimusha: Warlords,Samurai Warriorsis also set during the Sengoku period, which seems to be a very popular choice for developers who make these kinds of games. The main character, Yukimura Sanada, is based on the famous samurai Sanada Nobushige, also known as Sanada Yukimura, who was prominent during the Sengoku period.
Throughout the game, players will have the chance to use a wide range of combo attacks that can be very effective against both single enemies and large crowds, dealing maximum damage at every turn.Samurai Warriorsnot only kick-started a longstanding franchise, but is also among thetop 5 titles ever released in this universe, which goes to show just how great it is.
Fate/Samurai Remnantis an outstanding game thatdoes a lot of things better than any other Musou title. Players take on the role of Miyamoto Iori, who, coincidentally, was the real-life son of famed Rōnin Miyamoto Musashi. The main difference between a samurai and a Rōnin is that the former had a master, whereas the latter didn’t.
The plot ofFate/Samurai Remnantis full of interesting twists and turns that keep gameplay feeling fresh while allowing players to enjoy the outstanding mechanics in it. This, along with the compelling narrative that the game offers players, makes for an absolute masterpiece that any fan of the genre must try at least once.
Other thanAssassin’s Creed Shadows,Niohis probably the most recent title on this list, as it was released in 2017. It follows the story of William Adams, an Irish sailor who was famously known as Anjin, or “pilot”, among the Japanese community.
Adams is a famous real-life historical figure who lived between 1564 and 1620. Throughout the story, Adams pursues the sorcerer Edward Kelly into the battles that took place in the final years of the Sengoku period.Niohhas some powerful skills that players can take advantage of,similar toFate/Samurai Remnant. The game was so popular that it even has a sequel that, while rated slightly lower than the first title, still delivers a very enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
Total War: Shogun 2is probably one of the most historically accurate depictions of battles in ancient Japan and the factions that were involved in them. The game is set in 16th century feudal Japan during the Sengoku period, which appears to be the center point for most titles revolving around the samurai thematic.
Throughout the game, players will have the chance to choose between nine major clans, which include the Date clan, the Hōjō clan, the Mōri clan, the Oda clan, the Takeda clan, and many others—all of which were real-life samurai clans that were revered in this particular period. WhileTotal War: Shogun 2is not one of thebestTotal Wargamesever made, it gives players the chance to relive the Sengoku period in all its glory.
TheAssassin’s Creedfranchise, especially in its beginnings, was widely known for being historically accurate in some regards and educating players in some of the most famous landmarks and historical figures present in every title released. While this has mostly not been the case in some of the most recent releases, the upcomingAssassin’s Creed Shadowspromises to allow players to take on the role of Yasuke, a samurai of African origin who served under the Oda Nobunaga clan in the early 1580s.
Aside from this, one of the greatest things thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowsseems to be doing for its community isallowing fans to voice NPCs, which is quite interesting and gives players the chance to feel like they’re part of the game.
