Way of the Samurai 4 (4, Samurai Dou 4) is a PlayStation 3 video game developed by Acquire and published by Spike. On March 3, 2011, it was released in Japan. Terminations, Events, and Customization Acquire promised that 4 would be much longer than previous games and that there would be ten different endings. The game also includes flexible events and cutscenes, such as the ability to choose whether to explore a cave or simply turn around and walk away. In comparison to previous games, events are easier to follow. There are more customization options than in the last game, including the ability to select features such as the face, hair, clothing, footwear, and accessories. Health and Vitality This installment includes an energy meter. It regenerates life points (set at 1000) when the player is stationary or moving away from the enemy in combat and depletes when your samurai fights, nightcrawlers, or regenerates health. The energy meter is recharged by food and sleep. There are straw blankets outside (or inside) the dojo, inns around Amihama where you can pay to sleep, and any bed you can stand on that can be used to rest and recharge energy. Combat A player can master a wide variety of fighting styles and skills. Swords can now be switched to any stance, and once learned, skills are bound to the player rather than the blades. Players can then apply what they’ve learned to their own “school” of fighting style. The first and third games’ “push and pull” mechanics are retained. A new special mode is introduced in which the samurai enters slow motion for a limited time and can repeatedly slash enemies, then sheathes the sword, and all dead enemies fall simultaneously.
The sword’s “heat” mechanics have been replaced by “durability points,” which will gradually deplete with use until weapons break. Unless their guns are “unbreakable,” they must regularly visit the blacksmith for repairs. Sword Improvement/Creation Players can visit the blacksmith to improve the attributes of their weapon (attack, defense, and durability), repair it, or appraise it. The player can also request that Dojima melt a sword and use the metal to recast another sword. The custom sword-making system from Way of the Samurai 3 is back. In addition to standard parts such as the blade, hilt, and grip, players can add a charm for a unique effect. Weapons other than swords and spears have been added, such as pistols and muskets.
British soldiers are the primary users of muskets. Evidence of Life, The player’s actions will affect the game world in the subsequent replay. For example, if players killed many townspeople in the previous game, more guards would be looking for them. Players can persuade the Shogunate to open a school to teach foreign languages, after which they can converse with foreigners. Crawling in the Dark, A samurai can romance an NPC by sneaking into their home at night, avoiding or knocking out family members, and pulling out the right futon to find them in the minigame “Yobai.” Even so, they will provide playful resistance, and the player must attempt to throw them into bed. The samurai will be guided to their destination by a turtle head. As long as the requirements are met, the player can practice “night crawling” with most male and female characters in the game. After being arrested for evil deeds, the player’s character will be sent to the torture room to play hellish minigames with the three lovely Kinugawa sisters. Tortures include riding a flaming wooden horse, being chained to a water wheel, and being pelted with massive stones. The sisters will be impressed if the samurai survives the torture, and he can practice “night crawling” with them. Minigames Aside from the various jobs that the samurai can obtain, players can earn money by fishing, working as an assassin, delivering love letters, or flirting with foreign women. The samurai can also play poker and Canada at the casino and gambling parlors. Dojo Players can open their dojo, hire apprentices, and defend themselves against challengers. The number and quality of apprentices determine the dojo’s reputation. Any apprentices can be told to “follow me,” and they will fight alongside him. Crossroads Murder When connected to PSN, character data is automatically uploaded and transferred into other players’ game worlds, where he appears as a wandering samurai (NPC). Players can defeat him to obtain the custom sword created by another player. This is known as online Tsuji Giri.
