Way of the Samurai 4

Launched: July 2015

Playable on: PC

While most samurai games are these serious stories about the perils of honor in an unhonorable society, whether that be the erosion of the Bushido code or the proliferation of demons in the Land of the Rising Sun, Way of the Samurai takes a more cartoony approach to the somber narrative underpinnings of the samurai. This fourth entry in the franchise is just as wacky as all the rest. Featuring a semi-open-world and a vast array of customization, Way of the Samurai 4 takes place during the mid-19th century as Japan’s long-standing cultural isolation comes to an end and Western travelers make their way to the island. As a ronin, you can make various decisions that impact the trajectory of the game’s story, all while engaging in hectic, over-the-top action sequences somewhat reminiscent of Like A Dragon: Ishin! There are a plethora of katanas to collect and craft, sword techniques to learn and develop, characters to love and hate, and side activities to participate in. Way of the Samurai 4 kinda has it all, making it one of the most packed samurai games you can play right now.

And that’s that: 14 solid samurai games you can (and should) check out. There are so many games featuring these iconic warriors that a slideshow on them all would take forever; you’d never leave this page. But these games are worth being on your backlog.