Samurai Western

Infobox VG
title = Samurai Western


caption = Samurai Western - North American box art
developer = Acquire
publisher =flagicon|JPNSpike
flagicon|USAAtlus
flagicon|EUR505 Games
distributor =
released =flagicon|JPN2005-01-01
flagicon|USA2005-06-07
flagicon|EUR2005-6-30
genre = Fantasy Action Adventure
modes = Single Player, Multiplayer (2 player)
ratings =CERO: 18
ESRB: Mature (17+)
PEGI: 16+
platforms = Playstation 2
preceded by = Way of the Samurai 2
followed by =

"Samurai Western" is a PlayStation 2 game released in 2005. The player assumes the role of a samurai named Gojiro Kiryu, who travels to the Wild West in search of his brother Rando.

Although it was not particularly emphasized either in the game's marketing or in the game itself, Samurai Western is actually a "gaiden" (side-story) entry in the Way of the Samurai series.

Gameplay

Samurai Western does away with the adventure elements present in the main "Way of the Samurai" games, and instead is comprised purely of action. The game is divided into stages, with the goal of each being to defeat the dozens of enemies that appear within it. The game can be played alone, or simultaneously with a second player. The game has multiple difficulty levels, ranging from Normal to Insane. You may also practice a level before you play it, but it does not count as a level completion.

Combat

In a single player game, the player takes control of Gojiro the samurai. As such, the combat revolves around utilizing various types of swords to defeat enemies. There are dozens of swords available in the game, which allow you to fight in five different sword styles. The basic maneuvers of each sword are similar, consisting of a quick combo, powerful charge move and aerial attack. However, each sword style offers unique abilities. In addition to the abilities given by each style, Kojiro also has the innate ability to dodge bullets, and even use his sword to deflect them. Finally, by defeating enemies, Kojiro can fill a meter which, when full, allows him to enter Master Mode. Once activated, Master Mode greatly increases Kojiro's abilities, allowing him to dispatch enemies in a single blow.

In a two player game, the second player controls Ralph the gunman. Ralph is unable to deflect bullets or engage in melee combat, but is instead equipped with a gun that allows long range attacks.

Plot

The game takes place in America in the 1800's, in the area known as the Wild West. Gojiro Kiryu, a samurai, has arrived from Japan to find and kill his brother Rando, who came to the United States some time before. Upon his arrival, he finds the region under the tyranical rule of a local Tycoon named Goldberg, whose hired thugs have left the nearby settlements virtual ghost towns. Although initially disinterested in these happenings, Gojiro is nonetheless drawn into conflict with Goldberg's forces as his warrior's code demands that he do the right thing, and help the people being hurt by the tycoon. After learning of a connection between Goldberg and his missing brother, a final confrontation seems inevitable.

Characters

*Gojiro Kiryu: The main character, who recently arrived in America from Japan in order to find his missing brother Rando. Stern and tacit, he is driven only by his pursuit of honor and the warrior's code.

*Ralph: A mysterious gunman who quickly becomes an ally of Gojiro, providing him with information and help in fighting Goldberg. He is, in reality, a U.S. Army officer tasked with the mission of gathering the information necessary to bring Goldberg to justice.

*Rando Kiryu: Gojiro's older brother. Once an honorable samurai, he was defeated in combat by a gun-wielding enemy, causing him to lose faith in the traditional mode of combat he was used to. As a result, he abandoned both his homeland and samurai ways, coming to America to master the use of guns himself.

*Claudia: An attractive woman who runs a local saloon. The current situation of the town has left her in a sour mood, causing her to be unfriendly to strangers. She is a friend of Rando, and after meeting Gojiro can not understand the conflict between them. She tries unsuccessfully to convince them to mend their relationship without the use of violence.

*Anne- A teenage girl who resides in a local Ghost Town. As all of the adults of the town had been captured and forced into servitude by Goldberg, she is left in charge of taking care of the town's children. Gojiro comes to the aid of her and her charges several times.

*Donald- The sheriff of the town. Although he is overweight and somewhat dimwitted, he has a good heart and is intent on dispensing justice to his town. After an initial misunderstanding with Kojiro, he becomes a friend and ally. After meeting Kojiro, he comes to greatly admires the honorable samurai way, and aspires to become one himself.

*Goldberg- A ruthless tycoon who rules the region with an iron fist. Obsessed with creating his own Utopia in the American West at any means necessary, he has hired many thugs and outlaws to do his bidding. Despite his seemingly elderly, portly condition, he is more than capable of engaging his enemies in personal combat.

ee also

* Way of the Samurai
* Way of the Samurai 2
* Way of the Samurai 3

External links

* [http://www.samurai-w.jp/index2.html Spike page]
* [http://www.acquire.co.jp/samurai_w/index01.html Acquire page]
* [http://www.atlus.com/samurai_western/samurai.html Atlus page]
*moby game|id=/samurai-western
* [http://homepage.mac.com/dialektike/samw.html SW strategy guide]