Samurai Western
{{Short description|2005 video game}}
{{distinguish|Western (genre)#Martial arts Western (Wuxia Western)}}
{{lead too short|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox video game
|image = Samurai Western.jpg
|image_size = 254px
|caption = North American box art by Kenneth Rocafort
|developer = Acquire
|publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Spike}}{{vgrelease|NA|Atlus}}{{vgrelease|EU|505 Games}}
|director = Toshihide Hatanaka
|artist = Akiyoshi Kakinuma
|designer = Tomonori Kawanishi
|producer = Koshi Nakanishi
|programmer = Masatoshi Washimi
|composer = Noriyuki Asakura
|series = Way of the Samurai
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|1 January 2005}}{{vgrelease|NA|7 June 2005}}{{vgrelease|EU|30 June 2005}}
|genre = Action role-playing
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|platforms = PlayStation 2
}}
Samurai Western is an action-adventure video game, made by Acquire games company, released for the PlayStation 2 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.
Gameplay
Samurai Western does away with the adventure elements present in the main Way of the Samurai games, and instead is focused entirely on action. The game is divided into stages, with the goal of each being to defeat the dozens of enemies that appear within. The game can be played alone, or simultaneously with a second player. The game has multiple difficulty levels, ranging from Normal to Insane.
In a single-player game, the player takes control of Gojiro the samurai and utilizes various types of swords to defeat enemies. There are dozens of swords available in the game, which allow you to fight with five different sword styles. The basic maneuvers of each sword are similar, consisting of a quick combo, powerful charge move and aerial attack, but each sword style offers unique abilities. In addition to the abilities given by each style, Gojiro also has the innate ability to dodge bullets, and even uses his sword to deflect them. By defeating enemies Gojiro can fill a meter which, when full, allows him to enter Master Mode. Once activated, Master Mode greatly increases Gojiro'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 (though he is also able to dodge and roll) or engage in melee combat in the same manner as Gojiro, but is instead equipped with a gun that allows long-range attacks. He also has the ability to perform punches that instantly floor an enemy and deal a small amount of damage. Two additional guns can be unlocked for Ralph through beating the game, increasing his usefulness as a backup player.
Plot
The game takes place in America in the 1800s, 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 tyrannical rule of a local Tycoon named Goldberg, whose hired thugs have left the nearby settlements virtual ghost towns. Although initially uninterested 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 lingers.
Development
Kenneth Rocafort (now a comics artist) drew the cover for a video game before he got into comics at Top Cow comics.{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Arrant|date=10 September 2008|title=Talking to Artist Kenneth Rocafort|url=http://www.newsarama.com/986-talking-to-artist-kenneth-rocafort.html|accessdate=1 May 2013}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|MC = 58/100{{cite web|title=Samurai Western for PlayStation 2 Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/samurai-western/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2|website=Metacritic|accessdate=25 May 2014}}
|Edge = 6/10{{cite magazine|author=Edge staff|issue=147|date=March 2005|page=90|title=Samurai Western|magazine=Edge}}
|EGM = 5.33/10{{cite magazine|author=EGM staff|issue=193|date=July 2005|page=113|title=Samurai Western|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly}}
|GI = 6/10{{cite magazine|title=Samurai Western|magazine=Game Informer|issue=147|date=July 2005|page=120}}
|GamePro = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|author=Funky Zealot|date=26 April 2005|title=Samurai Western Review for PS2 on GamePro.com|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/44708.shtml|magazine=GamePro|accessdate=25 May 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427193720/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/44708.shtml|archivedate=27 April 2005|url-status=dead}}
|GSpot = 5.3/10{{cite web|first=Bethany|last=Masimilla|date=10 June 2005|title=Samurai Western Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/samurai-western-review/1900-6127358/|website=GameSpot|accessdate=25 May 2014}}
|GSpy = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|first=Justin|last=Leeper|date=10 June 2005|title=GameSpy: Samurai Western|url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/samurai-western/624433p1.html|publisher=GameSpy|accessdate=25 May 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051107180757/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/samurai-western/624433p1.html|archivedate=7 November 2005|url-status=dead}}
|GT = 7.2/10{{cite web|date=6 June 2005|title=Samurai Western Review|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=1473|publisher=GameTrailers|accessdate=18 April 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070420022416/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=1473|archivedate=20 April 2007|url-status=dead}}
|IGN = 6/10{{cite web|first=Ed|last=Lewis|date=7 June 2005|title=Samurai Western|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/08/samurai-western|website=IGN|accessdate=25 May 2014}}
|OPM = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|date=July 2005|title=Samurai Western|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/samurai-western_5|magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine|accessdate=25 May 2014}}
}}
Samurai Western received "mixed" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.
{{clear}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.acquire.co.jp/samurai_w/index01.html}} (Acquire)
- {{official website|http://www.atlus.com/samurai_western/samurai.html}} (Atlus)
- {{moby game|id=/ps2/samurai-western}}
{{Way of the Samurai}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:PlayStation 2-only games
Category:Video games about samurai
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games scored by Noriyuki Asakura