Now that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is about to be released, at Softonic we thought: why not write a great article recommending some video games where the samurai theme is the main protagonist? And so we did.
Commemorating the incredible The 7 Samurai by Kurosawa, here we bring you 7 samurai-themed video games that you must play to immerse yourself in them. We have taken only one liberty, but we believe you will enjoy it.
1. Ghost of Tsushima
In this list, we are not going to rank the video games from best to worst, we are simply going to place them in a random order. However, we want to start with one that has had a great impact in recent years: Ghost of Tsushima.
The title developed by Sucker Punch, which is rumored to have a sequel on the way, puts us in the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai seeking revenge against the Mongols. The game was released in the summer of 2020 for PS4, but now it can also be enjoyed on PC and PlayStation 5. It is a true delight to stroll through the island, wield the katana, and enjoy how beautiful it is.
2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Some may have raised their finger as soon as they read “Sekiro”, but we warned at the beginning: they are samurai-themed video games, not starring samurai. In this particular case, we control Sekiro / Wolf, a shinobi who has lost an arm and must stop Genichiro.
The 2019 production from From Software is set in a fictional late 16th century Sengoku period in Japan. Thanks to this reimagining, we have samurais, shinobis, and many elements of Japan from that time, all with a truly challenging gameplay, but very rewarding when you acquire the experience.
3. Rise of the Ronin
Developed by the Ninja Team (from which we will soon bring another game), Rise of Ronin is one of the latest exclusive productions for PlayStation 5 for now (although it will eventually be released on PC, as usual). This time, the game takes us to 19th century Japan during the Bakumatsu period, one of the most turbulent in all of Japan’s history.
The player will be able to create their own samurai and explore the main Japanese cities, as well as meet great historical figures who were present during the end of the shogunate. It is also a challenging game in a vast open world that was released in 2024.
4. Trek to Yomi
It is a game that had a rather lukewarm reception, but we believe it conveys the theme of samurais well: Trek to Yomi. Released in 2022, the developers at Flying Wild Hog created a side-scrolling title set in Japan’s Edo period.
The game is starring a samurai named Hiroki, who must confront the ghosts of his past while seeking revenge. As a curiosity, Trek to Yomi is completely in black and white, as it tries to simulate the style of Akira Kurosawa’s films.
5. Nioh
Previously we mentioned that there would be another game from Team Ninja, and in reality we could say that there are two: Nioh 1 and Nioh 2. Set in different periods of Japan’s history with a very fantastical reinterpretation of it, the game takes advantage of the samurai theme to offer a thrilling and highly complex adventure.
Both the first and second Nioh are highly recommended games, as they both bring significant innovations. They are available for PS4, PS5, and PC.
6. Shadow Tactics
If you enjoy real-time strategy games with a style very similar to the classic Commandos, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun will delight you. Set in early 17th century Japan, the objective is for the player to combine a diverse group of characters, from samurais to shinobis. Only by knowing how to effectively use the abilities of each character, they will be able to succeed.
Shadow Tactics was released in late December 2016 and was a true success among strategy lovers on PC. Later, the game was also released for PlayStation and Xbox consoles. It’s a shame that Mimimi Productions, the development studio, has closed its doors…
7. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
We already said that we were going to take a break, but what a great game Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is. There is not much samurai theme in terms of setting, but there is a lot in terms of Raiden, a cyborg samurai who delivers katana blows against other similar enemies.
Despite being released in 2013, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is still to this day one of the best hack & slash games on the market. Please, play it.
Have you played any of these 7 samurai games? Which one catches your attention the most?
