Way of the Samurai is a game for the Playstation 2 console, and a rather enjoyable (and underrated) game at that. The game has plenty  to offer, and is rated M for Mature. If the title wasn't enough reason for you to tell this, there's suggestive dialogue, extreme violence, and bloodshed, and is pretty much a hack them to death with swords while they fight back kind of thing.

Story: ****

You name your character and choose their look and what swords you'll bring with you into the game. At first, you have only the Chuyo-Tou, a balanced sword but not a very powerful one. You enter a town where two feuding groups (the Akadama Clan and the Kurou Family) do battle, leading to the deaths of many of the townspeople, so many that there are just four people not in either (not counting Hyuga and the Government). Here you can choose one of six endings to go for. The fact that the final boss is the same for all the endings brings this down, though, as well as the fact that the storylines are very similar. Ending 1 is almost identical to that movie "Hero" even though this came out first.

Endings:

The Endings will be rated separately, then totalled at the end.

Ending 1: *****

This is the big climatic ending that is the best you can get. I won't spoil it, but I will say that every line someone says after you get endings 2-5 gives a hint as to what happens. The final battle is easily the hardest, besides the battle with Tesshin Kurou and possibly Kitcho. I also love how the ending goes with the father and son reuniting thing. Very great.

Ending 2: ** 1/2

This ending is the kind of one you'd see in a movie; all of the characters who've been suffering leave the country (except Don) and leave everyone else to die. A bit uncreative, but still a good ending. Probably the most realistic one too.

Ending 3: *

This ending is the worst in the game, period. It is basically a repeat of Ending 2 only Don lives. Woo. BIG difference... The one star comes from the fact that the Tesshin battle is in it.

Ending 4: ****

Ending 4 was very close to achieving the greatness of Ending 1, but one serious plot hole sticks out. The Kurou and Akadama begin talking about alligning to fight the government for this story, but for some reason Kurou doesn't help A SINGLE BIT. Once their leader dies, they're just... done. They surrender immediately without a bit of seeking revenge or anything...

Ending 5: *****

This is probably the most fun ending to get as it involves one of THE hardest fights in the game, as well as a climatic fight with the general, though nowhere near as special or hard as in Ending 1. The fight with Kitcho here is the only fight in the game besides the one with the general at the end of Ending 1 that is one on one.

Ending 6: *** 1/2

Ending 6 is one of the most surprising finishes to the game. This is probably the ultimate in sad endings, and the only one where you don't escape alive. Due to the mood killer at the end with how things turn out when one on one with the general, I'm not a major fan of this one... plus, it ruins going through all of the trouble.

Endings Overall: ****

Graphics: *****

The graphics are not the greatest in the world, however, they are very nice for the budget of the game, as is the length. These graphics are so detailed that you can actually see the scars and wrinkles on characters when you look hard enough. Add in the fact you can create how your character looks, and you've got a 5-star rating.

Sound: ***

The sound is very good, however, it has its faults. All of the music is so slow and creepy besides the fight music, morning music, and the general's theme, so you always have to feel like you should watch your back. Note that the general is the only character with his own theme song besides Chelsea, and hers is over in less than ten seconds. Yeah, it's that quick.

Realism: 1/2

This game has tons of faults with realism. Even when you shove your sword straight through someone;'s stomach and throw them, the characters still get up and come back swinging with little damage and no blood. Blood only pours out whenever the character is dead, which is a bit awkward. The endings would probably never happen, though, apparently, the first ending is based on actual events in Japanese history. Times change, huh?

Characters: ****

The major characters all have distinct personalities, but most have counterparts in the game with almost identical personalities. Nonetheless, it is interesting learning of the past of the characters in this game. However, the goons all are completely treated as the same person in each. At least the creators named every goon too.

Fun Factor!: *****

The game has a very complex story allowing you to choose what you want to do, a two-player mode allowing you to compete as every fighter in the game, in addition to some others, six different endings, and numerous hard-fought battles, and you expected anything less? Want more proof? There are over 100 types of swords, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and moves.

Overall: *****

Like I said, this is a very fun game, while unfortunatly just as overlooked. The game does have a lot of cutscenes, some of which have little to do with the ending you are trying for, but they can be quite entertaining. Add that to all of the swords, endings, story choices, etc, and you have a first-class game.

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