Way of the Samurai 2

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Wikipedia

Way of the Samurai 2
DeveloperAcquire
Publishers
DirectorTomohiro Tsuchida
DesignerKōjirō Endō
ProgrammerMasatoshi Washimi
ComposerNoriyuki Asakura
SeriesWay of the Samurai
PlatformsPlayStation 2
PlayStation Portable
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • JP: October 9, 2003
  • NA: July 6, 2004[1]
  • PAL: July 7, 2004
PlayStation Portable
  • JP: September 3, 2009
GenreAction-adventure
ModeSingle-player

Way of the Samurai 2 (侍道2, Samurai Dou 2) is a PlayStation 2 (PS2) action-adventure game released in 2003. It was re-released on PlayStation Portable in 2009 in only in Japan.[2]

The game is a prequel to Way of the Samurai.

Gameplay

The game takes place in the late Edo period. The player starts as a starving rōnin who collapsed at the gate of a famous trading island-city called Amahara. Soon thereafter, a little girl shares her riceball with the ronin, giving him (or her, depending on the player's choice) energy. A choice appears, introducing the player to the diverse life of a samurai.

The combat system from the original Way of the Samurai are carried over, albeit with some changes. Amongst them are the inclusion of "stance-breaker" attacks on nearly every weapon, a simplified guard/parry system, and instant kill techniques.

Dojima from the previous game also makes an appearance, though unrelated to the main plot. Here he still serves as a blacksmith to enhance the player's swords. The stats, however, are simplified:

  • Attack: Attack strength, determines the amount of damage caused when an opponent is struck with the sword
  • Defense: Defensive strength, determines the amount of damage suffered when the player is struck by an opponent
  • Durability: Sword strength, increases the amount of tension the sword can generate before breaking.
  • Quality: The number of upgrades left that can be performed.

Also, the "Appraise" feature is able to make the swords upgraded more powerful. Their effects include addition to attack, defense, durability, tension resistance, or a combination of the above. These, however, requires certain conditions to be met, such as number of kills. Some special swords are able to be appraised based on their name.

Reception

Way of the Samurai 2 was met with mixed or average reception upon release, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[4]

Ivan Sulic writing for IGN thought it to be a "poorly laid out, incredibly linear game set within the confines of a seemingly nonlinear space".[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Way of the Samurai 2 ships". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  2. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (2009-08-09). "Way of the Samurai 3 Plus Official". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  3. ↑ "Way of the Samurai 2 for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Way of the Samurai 2 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  5. ↑ Edge staff (July 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2". Edge. No. 138. p. 105.
  6. ↑ EGM staff (August 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 182. p. 104.
  7. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (July 29, 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  8. ↑ "侍道2". Famitsu. Vol. 774. October 16, 2003.
  9. ↑ Mason, Lisa (July 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2". Game Informer. No. 135. p. 116. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  10. ↑ Bro Buzz (August 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. p. 66. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  11. ↑ Silverman, Ben (July 9, 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2 Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  12. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (July 6, 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  13. ↑ Steinberg, Steve (July 7, 2004). "GameSpy: Way of the Samurai 2". GameSpy. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  14. ↑ Knutson, Michael (July 12, 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2 - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 2, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  15. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (July 1, 2004). "Way of the Samurai 2". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Way of the Samurai 2". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. July 2004. p. 88.
  17. ↑ Porter, Alex (July 6, 2004). "The Way of the Samurai 2 [sic]". Maxim. Archived from the original on July 10, 2004. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Way of the Samurai 2". The Times. May 29, 2004. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.(subscription required)
  19. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (2004-07-02). "Way of the Samurai 2". IGN. Retrieved 2025-12-12.