Way of The Samurai Portable is coming out in less than two months time but there’s been little news about it so far (the “official website” is only a small section of Way of the Samurai 3). The game is a port of the first title in the adventure series, I heard some good words about it, and hope I can eventually check it out. Dengeki PlayStation Online has a preview of the game as what it says a “good preparation for Way of the Samurai 3 on the PS3“, so let’s get a little refresher from this PS2 port by Tenchu creators Acquire.

Source: Dengeki PlayStation Online

The freedom in the original PS2 game is being retained here, players can decide if their main character, a ronin wanderer, is a good or bad guy through decisions made in the various branching paths of the game.

The major addition to the PSP version is the 2-player communication play via the ad-hoc mode. Players can select their favorite characters with weapons obtained in the main game to fight with their friends. As a bonus, the main character of Way of the Samurai 3 will be playable. It is also the place to check out the first trailer for the series’ next-gen appearance.

As mention before, players’ decisions during the game will affect the outcome of the story. They can choose to ignore or speak with other characters or be nasty and start a fight. Obviously, there will be events that force players to interact with others. Fights are not only a one to one face off but can be one against many enemies as well but they will take their turn one by one while attacking. The game is more than just sword slashing, players can launch special attacks and combos as well.

New swords are added for the PSP version.

Although players can defend themselves by guarding, continue blocking will increase the stress on the sword, depleting the gauge at the red bar.

Upgrade or repair your weapons at the blacksmith.

Be nasty and escape from the blacksmith without paying him money, but the consequence is…?

Although the lack of promotion from Spike of the game is quite worrying, the game looks fine from the screens and the reviews for the PS2 version, which was localized for US release in 2002 weren’t too bad either. Although I’m doubtful, let’s hope the fact that translation has been done before will help towards an English release.

Posted in PSP on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 12:15 am | Comments Feed | Leave a response | Trackback