Way of the Samurai 4

The game was very fun when it still worked and when it worked, I was SO ADDICTED to this game that I would play nothing but this for days sometimes even weeks. I spent a lot more time on Way of the Samurai 3 than I ever did any of the other games but I still REALLY liked this one. when I saw it on steam, I was excited to dive in. several months to a year or so later, i find out that this game basically doesn't work anymore, tried everything I could possibly find online but nothing worked, i would get as far as the load character/save menu but then I crash as soon as I try to load in. I have basically given up at this point and as much as it pierces my heart, I cannot in good faith recommend this port of the game in the current state that it is in. if you are really feeling the itch to play this game, i recommend digging out the good ole PS3 or even get the PS Now subscription on PS4. it's how I played it originally and I hope it's still there and if not, well, you're SOL.

nice game for me

the quality of this game is worse than way of the samurai 3 in every way. the cutscenes feel like stage plays, the audio is all over the place volume wise, the combat feels like shit. probably one of the worst games i've ever played and decided I had enough of it after only 30 minutes or so. this game is garbage.

NOT WORKING

having sex is not optimal, we serve the shogunate.

nice

By far the worst in the series

was fun when it was playable on my 2015 pc but may not be compatible with modern systems (Windows 11 etc) shame hope they fix it

I miss Lord Shuzen....

I want to cry. This game is amazing

you better off playing this game in emulator. You can't even alt tab without crashing

Absolutely fantastic game with a mix of fun, satire, parody, and surprisingly compelling action. Just the type of quirky weirdness and martial arts action to satisfy a certain type of itch.

I have no idea what I am doing,
but I am having a blast in this silly game.

The only con was that I needed to download a
driver from Nvidia to get the game to start.

Terrible port.
FPS locked at 30.
Force to view dated title scene for first time.
Take an age every time just to enter option screen.
Crash after change screen's resolution.

I've been playing the WotS series since the first one on PS2 and to this day I have never found another game like it. The game has some quirks, there is no denying that, but the atmosphere and gameplay overcome any technical shortcomings from such a small development team. No other game has been meant to be replayed and experienced as much as WotS, much like one of those old Choose Your Own Adventure books, but you control all the action and story. Being able to interrupt cut-scenes is a neat addition for WotS4, so no two playthroughs will ever be the same.

Just an FYI, this game will not work properly unless you install Nvidia PhysX (even if you have an AMD card like I do), copy all the dll files from the installation folder, and paste them into the WotS4 (or 3, if you bought that one as well) root folder. Once you do that it should run just fine. I also can play on my ultra-wide monitor, but it takes a little bit of patience playing around in the settings.

Overall, if you like samurai sword fighting, choose your own adventure books, short games meant to be replayed over and over, roguelikes, or quirky japanese humor (foreigners say "WHHAHAAAAAAAA") you won't go wrong with Way of the Samurai 4.

physx error on startup, have to install nvidia physx to get it to even start.
but it also crashes when i choose new game.
had to refund.
i aint bothering and wasting my time on that.

Better than way of the samurai 3. Better pacing, side quests are more fun, less time spent running through empty areas and seggs minigame. And there is a britbong loli character, PEAK GAMING!

Silly fun

Unplayable. PhysXLoader error which in turn crashes the game at the start

I don't get why this game is suddenly getting bad reviews.

This is an old game by a small studio. Of course it's gonna be buggy!

But I've managed to play through the game and get every ending multiple times, so it's not game-breaking.

The port is crappy, yes, but the game is good.

broken.

The combat is trash and it's basically a combat game so there you have it. It feels really shitty and unresponsive.

Most fun I've had with an older RPG in a very long time.

So I initially played the game for free on steamnet website and deiced to buy it on actual steam to get achievements and support the creator.

WORST DECISION EVER. If I alt tab AT ALL in full screen the game completely closes out losing all saved progress and I googled because I am not stupid.

Solution is easy put it in windowed lol....but on windowed there is no option to resize window mode like my monitor isn't massive so the the windowed mode is probably 2/3 of my screen which is smaller for me and I can't make it any bigger.

Such a big disappointment and if anyone has any tips or anything i will take them but wow this is kind of crazy and sad.

ENG:
At the moment, this is the best samurai game you can find. Don't be intimidated by outdated graphics or a 30 FPS cap, if you love the Japanese setting then you just have to give this masterpiece a chance. I mean, go through the game for the true ending, because it's amazing.

RUS:
На данный момент это лучшая игра о самураях, которую вы можете найти. Пусть вас не пугает устаревшая графика или ограничение в 30 кадров в секунду, если вам нравится японский сеттинг, то вы просто обязаны дать шанс этому шедевру. Я имею в виду, пройдите игру до конца, чтобы увидеть настоящую концовку, потому что это потрясающе.

sangat ringan dan semoga ada lanjutan lagi.. tapi masih belum tw banyak hal dalam game ini

Way of the Samurai 4 - A Timeless Samurai Adventure

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Released on March 3, 2011, Way of the Samurai 4 remains a standout action game with its deep replayability and unique choice-driven narrative. With multiple endings, the game offers players the chance to shape their samurai's fate based on their decisions, creating a fresh experience each time you play. The core gameplay revolves around collecting swords and weapon styles, upgrading them as you go, and revisiting your journey with new strategies in subsequent playthroughs.

The fast-paced combat is still engaging, and the freedom to choose between following the samurai code or pursuing more mercenary paths adds layers to the experience. While the visuals may feel dated compared to modern titles, the charm and freedom of the game still hold up today. The game also has some quirky, over-the-top moments like night crawling, a Loli Brit, and the bizarre antics of the three sadistic sisters that add a silly yet memorable touch to the experience.

However, it’s worth noting that the game may not be compatible with some newer systems, so check compatibility before purchasing. Way of the Samurai 4 deserves a sequel to build on its unique premise, expanding the swordplay and world even further. If you can grab it for under $10, it’s definitely worth the investment for action fans looking for a unique and offbeat adventure.

Before you buy this game in year 2024 and beyond, note that at time of writing, the game has technical. Some of the more severe issues can be resolved while others seemingly not.

On a modern system, the game may not successfully launch out of the box (resolvable), and the game may crash at the end of a story line (resolvable). Alt-tabbing may also cause the game to crash (don't do it). The frame rate is locked to 30 fps. You may need to fiddle with controller settings in Steam to a) get your controller recognized by the game, and b) have correct button assignment.

Other than that the game has been rather stable, with "only" a few crashes from time to time. I suggest saving often just in case.

I enjoyed the replayability of the game a lot back in year 2015, and I managed to squeeze more juice out it nearly 10 years later by unlocking more accessories and story branches that you can probably never complete without a miracle or a guide. Sadly I felt that the final hidden branches were the least polished, and quite a bit more difficult than the normal branches just for the sake of being difficult.

Side missions cease to be interesting eventually because they're all usually the same types of jobs, and there are so many of them, and so many more seemingly hidden ones. Collecting swords ceases to be interesting because you'll likely just find more of the same swords that you already have, and you need to do something about the ones you have because space is limited.

Managing excess swords becomes boring because of the clunky user interface. For example, smelting swords is good for materials but you can only do one at a time, and you need to repeatedly navigate in the menu, select a sword to smelt and wait for it to finish (or skip the animations). Lots of repetitive actions require you to do them one at a time like this.

Unlocking things is a big feature of the game but if you don't care about the hardships that come with it then you can just replay the game a few times for the story. It isn't a deep story at all, and the world is small, but there are humorous bits sprinkled all over the game that you may enjoy if you explore a little.

You can expect to spend a lot (maybe too much) of time unlocking meaningless things, either until you're satisfied or you run out of steam like I did the first time I played the game.

If only the technical issues could be fully resolved without any new content then I would wholeheartedly recommend this game at a price no more than $10 USD given its age of nearly 10 years. Since that seems unlikely, I can't recommend paying more than perhaps $5 USD. With some quality of life improvements then I would gladly bump up my recommendation and max price to $15 USD. Had it been 2015 again then perhaps I would have wanted to pay no more than $20 USD.

Even with technical issues, I would still mildly recommend this game today at the right price.

fun game but i think 3 is better , probably the best in the series . the people leaving bad reviews for the game saying its not working most likely haven't adjusted the processor affinity for steam in the task manager details area , im no expert but i think these old games dont like cores over 30 , ive dropped mine in the 20s to get rocksmith 2014 to run on my modern pc and i also had this game not work until i tried the same affinity trick and it worked . i hope this helps , the people leaving bad reviews have comments off so i cant help them

literally couldn't even start the game without crashing constantly

Wish I could play it, but it won't run on my new Win11 rig. Tried all the work around's but can't get it to launch in anything other than Win95-97 compatibility mode, but even then it crashes before the main menu.

fuck the devs for this trap, they should remove this or foce the shitty devs to update the game...mtfs!

Of course the brits has a loli, 7/10 should play again

Play Way of the Samurai 3 first.
If you like it and want more, and also don't mind the shift from a mostly grounded action movie vibe to an insane and nonsensical Japanese style comedy(that still has it's impactful serious moments), then also get this game to enjoy some quality of life changes(for good and bad) and more content.

Technical garbage

💋

I don't recommend this game in 2024, this is because there are no updates from the developer itself. The error I am facing is that Phys is not relevant in the game. Sucks to buy this game but not update anymore

Works well on steam deck, just wait patiently for the test videos to finish playing.

Peak 乗員 simulator

Sharpened Steel:
Branching Paths: Your choices throughout the game significantly impact the story, leading to multiple endings and replayability.
Open World Exploration: Explore the town of Amihama, interact with its quirky residents, and take on various quests, fostering a sense of freedom.
Multiple Combat Styles: Master different sword fighting styles to approach battles with variety, adding a layer of strategy to the combat.
Whimsical Charm: The game embraces a unique blend of historical setting and lighthearted humor, making for a memorable experience.

Blunted Blade:
Low Production Values: The visuals and character models are not on par with modern games, which may be a turnoff for some players.
Repetitive Combat: While multiple styles exist, the core combat mechanics can feel repetitive and button-mashy.
Technical Issues: Some players report bugs and crashes that can disrupt gameplay.
Questionable Content: The game features some elements of sexual humor and violence that might not be for everyone.

Overall:
Way of the Samurai 4 isn't a polished AAA title, but it offers a surprisingly engaging experience with its branching storylines, open world exploration, and quirky charm. However, the low production values, repetitive combat, and potential for technical issues might deter some players.

Here's a suggested rating based on your preferences:
For players who enjoy open-world exploration, branching narratives, and a touch of the absurd in a historical setting: 4 out of 5 stars
For players who prioritize high production values, polished combat, and a more serious historical experience: 2 out of 5 stars
Alternatives to Consider:

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: A challenging and rewarding action RPG set in a fantastical interpretation of Japan's Sengoku period. (Paid)
Ghost of Tsushima: An open-world samurai adventure with stunning visuals and a more serious story. (Paid)
Kenshi: A sprawling open-world RPG with a focus on sandbox gameplay and base building, set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by feudal Japan. (Paid)
If you're looking for a unique and quirky samurai adventure with branching paths and replayability, Way of the Samurai 4 might be worth a try, especially for the budget price. Just be aware of the game's limitations in terms of visuals and combat.

Way of the Samurai 1 will always be top-tier and near and dear to my heart.

This game is a massive disappointment. There is a lot of potential for this to be fun, but it fails at very basic game mechanics. Part of the problem is the keyboard control layout; it's terribly unintuitive. That's a big problem in a game where all it takes is one wrong button press to accidentally attack or steal from someone and screw up your story. Plus the game dumps all its instructions on you at once, making them impossible to remember. The other main flaw is that there are no clear objectives. After introductory scenes, I was left just wandering a town. It took a lot of wandering with an equally terrible map system, but I finally found the characters I was looking for. They asked me to join them, and then the scene ended. No objective, no idea what they want me to do. I don't feel like wandering aimlessly any more, and because of the many branching paths in the game, finding a walkthrough would be impossible without knowing what ending I would be working toward. It's unfortunate, but just going to have to ask for a refund on this one...

The game doesn't even launch due to PhysX error. I don't care how old the game is. If you sell it in 2024, it should work properly in 2024.

hello, blah blah