Way of the Samurai 4 Coming Exclusively to PS3

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Way of the Samurai 4 Coming Exclusively to PS3
Tom Lipschultz Localization Specialist, XSEED
31 Author Replies

Way of the Samurai 4 for PS3

Say WotS?! You heard me right! Spike and Acquire’s Way of the Samurai 4 is confirmed for release in North America on the PS3, and we at XSEED Games are pleased to be bringing it to you fully uncut and uncensored. Torture chambers, naughty midnight missions in the dark and all the brutal slaughtering you can handle await in this riveting and 100% historically accurate (shhhh!) sandbox-style samurai period drama.

Admiral Perry has just opened Japan’s borders to the British, allowing for a long-overdue globalization process to begin. Unfortunately, one of the open ports happens to be a modest Japanese burg called Amihama, where a resistance group known as the “Disciples of Prajna” have taken up arms against the arriving foreigners and all who support them.

As a lone samurai who’s just arrived amidst the chaos, it’s up to you whether you want to join forces with the Prajna resistance, fight alongside the foreigners in the name of progress or take your stance somewhere between the two by supporting the local government’s attempts to quell the violence (through any means possible).

Way of the Samurai 4 for PS3

…Or you could just hit on all the local women, deck out your samurai in wildly anachronistic (and highly customizable) gear, murder and deceive your way into positions of power, learn English and schmooze with the foreigners, or while away your time in the Eastern-style gambling den or Western-style casino.

Way of the Samurai 4 for PS3

You have complete freedom to play the game however you wish, and the possibilities are certain to defy your expectations — often in a nearly surrealistic manner!

For the man who’s always looking to thrust his sword into something new and different, Way of the Samurai 4 delivers. Never the same game twice, this is historic fiction at its best. Viva la WotS! Banzai!

(Oh, and we don’t have a release date or pricing info for you just yet, but we will soon. Stay tuned!)

playstation gamesway of the samurai 4xseed

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133 Comments

31 Author Replies

  • SarshelYam
    April 4, 2012 at 8:11 am PDT

    What great news! I was just thinking of importing this, but held off in the hopes there might be localization news coming soon…foresight?

    Anyhow, thanks Tom for the notice. I’ll be dropping a $5 bill on a preorder just as soon as they’re available.

  • Malice_Mizer
    April 4, 2012 at 8:18 am PDT

    Awesome! Now I can get this without having to import it from Europe! Thanks XSEED, you guys are on a roll lately!

  • Groo_D_Wanderer
    April 4, 2012 at 8:25 am PDT

    Awesome! I’ve been waiting for this to come to the states and I’m glad to hear it’s finally on it’s way!!

  • MarkakaJin
    April 4, 2012 at 8:26 am PDT

    I was worried if Way of the Samurai 4 will never come but this is a great great news! I have played since the first game and I just recently (and finally) owned WotS 3. Exclusive to the PS3, the way it should be!

  • SarshelYam
    April 4, 2012 at 8:30 am PDT

    Tom, can you answer a question for me? There seems to be a recent trend of moving releases from a retail model, to digital. Can you at least confirm this as available on one or both of those distribution methods? While I understand the relative low-risk structure of digital distribution, I’d much rather have this on a Blu-Ray disc…next to WotS3 you know?

  • Scaramanga1983
    April 4, 2012 at 8:42 am PDT

    If the gameplay is good, I’ll buy it. Always wanted to check out Way of the Samurai series.

  • WFMMK
    April 4, 2012 at 8:44 am PDT

    So glad this is coming to the US. Always love a realistic samurai game and so far “Way of the Samurai” is the best .

  • Syrlis
    April 4, 2012 at 8:45 am PDT

    Thank you very much! Always appreciate playstation bringing over these wonder japanese games.

    Question: is this going to be the Plus version (with all the DLC)? If not will the DLC be offered on the NA PS Store?

  • Gaucho21
    April 4, 2012 at 8:47 am PDT

    I’ve only ever had Way of the Samurai (the first one) and I absolutely loved it. I have no idea why I never got around to getting the next two, but I’m definitely getting this one.

  • Blackheart10111
    April 4, 2012 at 8:48 am PDT

    This is one of my favorite series I will be buying this on day one.

  • LokeSTL
    April 4, 2012 at 9:00 am PDT

    1) Elvis with a samurai sword? This looks fun. Maybe I’ll pick it up down the road. Keep the Eastern games coming please!

    2) Do you guys have plans to bring any turn based menu driven RPGs to the PS3 or Vita? They are veeeerry few and far between this gen. Please see what they’ve got over there and consider localizing them.

    3) Is there anything you can do about getting Ys I & II Chronicles to work with the Vita? Bought this and Trails in the Sky to play on my Vita, and was bumbed when I couldn’t play Ys.

    • Tom Lipschultz
      April 4, 2012 at 9:21 am PDT

      #1 – We shall, don’t you worry!

      #2 – Well, we’ve got Unchained Blades scheduled for release on PSP and 3DS. That’s a turn-based menu-driven dungeon-crawler RPG, and the PSP version will most likely be Vita-compatible. That’s the only game in our current lineup that falls within your guidelines, but it’s a good one — and I’m sure we’ll be releasing other, similarly-styled games in the future.

      #3 – I’m afraid that’s up to Sony. We’re hoping for its addition to the Vita-compatible list of PSP titles in the future, but all we can do is wait and see when that comes to pass. Sorry!

  • Matrix_Lion
    April 4, 2012 at 9:05 am PDT

    YES YES YES YES YES (Daniel Bryan voice)

  • ACCELLION_XGP
    April 4, 2012 at 9:09 am PDT

    Thanks so much XSEED!! You guys are awesome for bringing this over. Day One Buy for me! We need more Eastern games!

  • ReVeR_364
    April 4, 2012 at 9:18 am PDT

    THANK YOU! I /almost/ lost all hope this would ever come over.

    I <3 You XSEED

    And I <333 You WoTS

    xD

  • Neil
    April 4, 2012 at 9:26 am PDT

    My kind of game

  • Conaaando
    April 4, 2012 at 9:36 am PDT

    Sounds good! (LOL on pic #3 :D)

  • Onvertic
    April 4, 2012 at 9:38 am PDT

    Maybe its to soon, but will this also be release digitally?

  • Christian399
    April 4, 2012 at 9:38 am PDT

    I’ve bought every XSEED title ever published, save for anything on the Wii after Valhalla Knights: ES and some of their DS games. I will buy this.

    More importantly… Where’s the Sora No Kiseki (Zero) Vita announcement, or Ragnarok Odyssey? And would I ever love, love, love (even more than my rabid obsession) you folks for a Shadow Hearts HD!!! I realize that Nautilus (the developer) dissolved, but I think its high time you XSEED folks hired some real programmers anyhow.

    This has been chatted about on your official forums too, but nab some of those SEGA PSP game publishing rights while they’re desperate!

    P.S. Please nag Sony to get Valhalla Knights 2: BS working on the PSN. Its a great little RPG with tonnes of content.

    • Tom Lipschultz
      April 4, 2012 at 9:50 am PDT

      Zero no Kiseki isn’t something we could release in the foreseeable future, as there are still two massive Trails games ahead of it — and you really need to play the whole Trails trilogy to fully appreciate Zero.

      Regarding Valhalla Knights 2: Battle Stance, we’re not too comfortable nagging our platform provider, but we share your enthusiasm and very much hope it gets added to the Vita compatibility list in the future. ;)

      As for the rest of your suggestions… we’ll see what we can do!

  • Angry-Puppy
    April 4, 2012 at 9:39 am PDT

    You guys should work on localizing Valkyria Chronicles 3 next. :p You’d make thousands of people happy.

  • Christian399
    April 4, 2012 at 9:39 am PDT

    @15 Yes, digital all the way please. Anything niche gets shipped like a week behind schedule off Amazon and usually sells out of its limited run FAST. Digital is a great way to keep the genre/ games alive.

  • Christian399
    April 4, 2012 at 9:40 am PDT

    @17 This would be the time to do it, SEGA are cutting Western projects and bleeding cash.

  • JKar275
    April 4, 2012 at 9:40 am PDT

    Questions:

    1) What type of a game is this (role-playing, action/adventure, etc.)?

    2) What types of weapons (besides swords) will our playable character have access to?

    3) Will our playable character be able to upgrade his combat abilities and equipment?

    • Tom Lipschultz
      April 4, 2012 at 10:02 am PDT

      #1 – I’d describe it as a hack-and-slash sandbox adventure game. It has RPG elements, so you could classify it as an action RPG if you were so inclined… but it definitely feels more like an action/adventure due to its general structure. Think of it like a smaller, more period-centric GTA game, but with a more open-ended storyline (there are nearly a dozen endings, all of which are vastly different from one another) and more customizable weaponry.

      #2 – Swords make up the lion’s share of the game’s weaponry, but there are also spears and guns, as well as bare-handed fighting styles.

      #3 – Absolutely. That’s one of the biggest focuses of the game, in fact. The number of weapons in this game is absolutely mind-boggling, and you can even craft your own weapons by acquiring weapon parts (blade, guard and grip) and taking them to the smithy. There are also a ridiculous number of fighting styles, each of which has upwards of a dozen or more moves — and the game allows you to create your own style as well, customizing your moveset as you see fit.

      Oh, and you can buy accessories for your character that you can place anywhere you want on his body, and even customize their size.

  • Falaut
    April 4, 2012 at 9:40 am PDT

    Japanese voice track? I hope so.

  • Falaut
    April 4, 2012 at 9:41 am PDT

    My comment is awaiting moderation? excuse me?

  • enjionPS
    April 4, 2012 at 9:43 am PDT

    Oh XSEED, my love/hate relationship with you continues…. I’ve been waiting for the English release for this for what seems like forever. Assuming this’ll be PSN only?

    Also, maybe you can answer this. I own the Japanese version of this (Imported it thinking it wasn’t going to come out) and you can’t have your character wear Laura’s dress like in the last picture… was that some sort of DLC. Or are you adding content?

  • MP_is_for_Chumps
    April 4, 2012 at 9:44 am PDT

    I never heard of this game before, but it sounds like Yakuza: Kenzen, are they similar? cause Yakuza is my favorite Japanese franchise this gen. Is there a trailer for this?

  • MP_is_for_Chumps
    April 4, 2012 at 9:48 am PDT

    @ Falaut

    don’t you just love freedom of speech?

  • FearMonkey
    April 4, 2012 at 9:49 am PDT

    Awesome. Very much looking forward to this. :)

    Also, quick question, will it have the option for Japanese audio? Thanks.

  • MP_is_for_Chumps
    April 4, 2012 at 9:52 am PDT

    Anyway Xseed, i love how you guys bring these types of games over. Please, Please, Please consider the new Dream Club Mahjong game for your next project :)

  • gtxgamer2
    April 4, 2012 at 9:57 am PDT

    XSEED please localize Ragnorak Odsessy for the PsVita!

  • Christian399
    April 4, 2012 at 9:59 am PDT

    Tom, great to hear that you’re still committed to Trails. I haven’t gotten around to playing much of it, but the translation and script are brilliant. AAA calibre stuff.

    This was mentioned once already about releasing your titles with digital counterparts. I’d even take it a step further and suggest more games like Suimoni, which are purely digital. Surely that easier for you guys in terms of risk and its gets more great content to the consumers. If people want plushies, Cosmosphere calendars and artbooks, there’s always PlayAsia. And what’s more niche and Weaboo than an authentic, imported Japanese boxed set, I say!

    Digital all the way.

  • ein_nineteenth
    April 4, 2012 at 10:01 am PDT

    Will it be anything like Way of the Samurai 1 on the PS2? I loved that game but the sequels, 2 & 3 felt more restrictive than the first one. They expanded on the characters which was good, but my character’s true freedom felt contracted.

    Anyway, looking forward to this. Here’s to it being much better than 3.

  • Christian399
    April 4, 2012 at 10:06 am PDT

    @21 In the same boat. There’s nothing lewd, rude or offensive about it at all either. This blog has a messed up filter.

  • MP_is_for_Chumps
    April 4, 2012 at 10:13 am PDT

    Thax tom i know u guys get inundated with JRPG requests, but Japan has so much more to offer! ….and besides, what’s not to love about hot chicks, bikinis and Mahjong? :D

  • enjionPS
    April 4, 2012 at 10:26 am PDT

    Since my previous comment seems to be stuck in “moderation” land. I’ll try this again…

    Oh XSEED, my love/hate relationship with you continues…. I’ve been waiting for the English release for this for what seems like forever. Really happy to see you guys are the ones doing this. (Shame about PSN only, but pick and choose your battles these days I guess..)

    Also quick question, how was that last screenshot done? If I remember from the Japanese version, you couldn’t unlock Laura’s dress… unless you just played around with that “doll” item on top to make a very good screenshot. Either way it’s fantastic.

  • Einhander138
    April 4, 2012 at 10:27 am PDT

    Now I don’t have to import the Euro version good.

    And it’s on a disc which is a nice change from XSeed’s recent track record.

  • RavageHeitaro
    April 4, 2012 at 10:27 am PDT

    Sweet, this is a day one for me :)

    Xseed please keep working on Trails2 !! I really hope i can play Zero someday.

  • SarshelYam
    April 4, 2012 at 10:29 am PDT

    Wait, wait, wait…

    “It shall. It’s actually being released as a digital exclusive on the PlayStation Store.”

    Perhaps I’m reading far too much into this, but, no retail-based Blu-Ray disc option?

  • MP_is_for_Chumps
    April 4, 2012 at 10:30 am PDT

    All my questions/comments keep getting blocked. Maybe i should go play my xbox while i wait for moderation……

  • Einhander138
    April 4, 2012 at 10:33 am PDT

    >It shall. It’s actually being released as a digital exclusive on the PlayStation Store.

    @28 That’s what I was just thinking.

    This had better *not* be digital only. That is total BS.

  • Tiael
    April 4, 2012 at 10:37 am PDT

    @28 @30

    It is digital release only, welcome to the new age of XSEED.

  • Einhander138
    April 4, 2012 at 10:39 am PDT

    I would rather Tom clarify for sure, but if it is I am going to recommend that XSeed fire whoever makes decisions like this.

    Stop ignoring your customers XSeed. Not all of us want digital releases!

    • Tom Lipschultz
      April 4, 2012 at 11:13 am PDT

      We’re not ignoring our customers, I assure you. Whenever we release a game digital-only, it’s because that’s the only option available to us. We can’t give specific reasons as to why, but rest assured, if we COULD release the game on disc, we would.

      Ultimately, though, it’s digital or nothing. PSN-exclusive, or no Way of the Samurai 4 for North America. And when faced with that decision, we’ll always choose game over no game. Because in the end, that will make far more people happy.

  • Onvertic
    April 4, 2012 at 10:41 am PDT

    Cool, thanks Tom. :)

    Also, do digital games have access to their manuals or will you make one?

    And PS: Half-Minute Hero 2 would look excellent on the Vita’s screen, just saying. ;)

  • Einhander138
    April 4, 2012 at 10:42 am PDT

    @Tom

    I’d like clarification please – this says “Coming to PS3” not “Coming to PSN”.

    Which is it?

  • cj_iwakura
    April 4, 2012 at 10:49 am PDT

    @Einhander

    What makes you think XSeed have a say on that? Best direct your ire at Sony. They force games like this to be PSN exclusive in the US all the time. (Hi Arcana Heart 3.)

  • Tiael
    April 4, 2012 at 10:53 am PDT

    @35
    No, it’s XSEED, they’ve been moving towards a more DD route since Trails in the Sky, they just don’t care anymore about physical releases.

    • Tom Lipschultz
      April 4, 2012 at 11:17 am PDT

      We still do have physical releases on the horizon, actually. It’s just much tougher to justify physical releases in today’s market — especially if you’re a tiny company like us.

      We do our best, though.

  • X-flash-point-X
    April 4, 2012 at 10:54 am PDT

    Im Pretty Sure this is going to be a game like Street Fighter.

  • Christian399
    April 4, 2012 at 10:55 am PDT

    @Einhander138. “Fire whoever makes decisions like this…” Really? Tone down the drama please. You realize that XSEED is a business right? That they can’t just do things to please you and similar minded persons who have a fetish for physical media and that there must be some compromise between access acessability, risk and profit?

    Would you rather not have the game AT ALL? Even if you live in some remote, dial up area, Its not as if there aren’t internet cafes or a friend/ parents house or a myriad of other options available for transferring digital media to a PS3 system. And if you indeed did have no access to reasonable internet bandwidth within, so sorry for you but the needs of the few do not outweigh the needs of the many, so I guess you’ll just have to pass on this one. Please join the rest of the world in the rapidly approaching digital era after you upgrade your rotary phone.

    Besides we don’t know for certain that it is or isn’t a PSN exclusive. In any event its still a PS3 game, so Tom isn’t being disingenuous. Personally, I hope it is digital only if merely for the convenience and – assumedly – lower price than blu ray retail.

  • Christian399
    April 4, 2012 at 11:07 am PDT

    @41 You are “a” customer, not “all” customers. You do not speak for the niche community as a whole.

    Myself and lots of XSEED fans are fine with digital only content. It seems spoiled and absurd that you would argue against it, as the alternative to publishing niche games digitally in this day and age is a great deal of financial risk should the project not meet its targets. This also means less titles released overall, and a more cautious selection process. Corpse Party never would have survived at US retail, probably never would have made the publishing block cut, for example, but its done rather well as a digital only release.

    I’ll take all the Eastern games I can get thanks. I don’t care the format.

  • Tiael
    April 4, 2012 at 11:09 am PDT

    Yet Gust and NIS can do it.

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