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Sword of the Samurai (1989)

MicroProse Software, Inc.

DOS · Linux · Mac · PC (Microsoft Windows)

3.67 from 12 ratings

165 members have it in their collection · 127 backlogged · 7 wish listed

Enter Japan in the Age of Warring States. At the center of this role-playing, action-adventure simulation of combat, statesmanship and intrigue, you are a samurai warrior struggling for Honor. More important than life itself, Honor is crucial to achieving your ultimate goal: unifying the country under your noble rule. In Sword of the Samurai, you will be part of the … Read more
Enter Japan in the Age of Warring States. At the center of this role-playing, action-adventure simulation of combat, statesmanship and intrigue, you are a samurai warrior struggling for Honor. More important than life itself, Honor is crucial to achieving your ultimate goal: unifying the country under your noble rule. In Sword of the Samurai, you will be part of the culture of feudal Japan, and you must learn to live by its rules. To succeed as a samurai, you must think like the samurai. Learn when to leave your sword in its sheath, when to draw it - and what to do with it once it’s drawn. You will fight duels, lead troops on the battlefields, and defend your family against assassins and kidnappers. If you are courageous and honorable, you may advance to become the head of your clan, and warlord of your province. If you master diplomacy and generalship, and outmaneuver your rivals, you may even become Shogun - absolute ruler of Japan. But remember that in all cultures power corrupts - and those who seek absolute power don’t always play by the rules. Read less
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Details

Developers
MicroProse Software, Inc.
Publishers
MicroProse Software, Inc., Nightdive Studios, Retroism
Genres
Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy
Themes
Historical
Steam
View on Steam

Release dates

  • 1989 (Worldwide) DOS
  • Oct 17, 2014 (Worldwide) Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
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Rating distribution

5 stars
4
4 stars
3
3 stars
3
2 stars
1
1 star
1
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Community All Reviews Statuses

anarchistica

Review anarchistica 1/5 · Nov 9, 2022

Crusader Kings avant la lettre

Playtime: 14 minutes

Review

Sword of the Samurai is one of the most interesting games i've ever played. It has elements of grand strategy, real-time strategy, role-playing and shooter games.

You pick a Japanese province and try to increase your power. Each turn you can raise/train troops, practice fighting, donate to the temple, raise taxes or travel. Travelling lets you …

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Playtime: 14 minutes

Review

Sword of the Samurai is one of the most interesting games i've ever played. It has elements of grand strategy, real-time strategy, role-playing and shooter games.

You pick a Japanese province and try to increase your power. Each turn you can raise/train troops, practice fighting, donate to the temple, raise taxes or travel. Travelling lets you straight-up attack rivals or infiltrate their homes to kidnap/kill someone. In my case i could sneak in to steal a sword that the lord was supposed to bring to his boss. This involved the game turning into a topdown shooter. I also tried to attack a castle with my army, which involves some clunky "strategy" in which you pick an army and a target.

It's an incredibly ambitious game, especially for 1989. I've never played anything quite like it, though it's vaguely reminiscent of Crusader Kings and Lords of Midnight. It's also really clunky and vague, and you have to look up the controls elsewhere. Fascinating, but not something i'd recommend to anyone.

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