The way of the Samurai is by no means an easy path in life. Ghost Of Tsushima showcases how difficult it can be to face oneself and really assess a moral compass when life makes the hard decisions for you. The moral dilemmas of the game are really what makes it stand out among open world games in modern times.
There're few games that can scratch the itch that Ghost Of Tsushima sated, but there're tons of samurai games that are just as fun and satisfy a different kind of need. From beat em ups to open world, samurai are a creative inspiration for lots of games and there's no shortage of them in video games.
Nioh
For fans of the combat of Ghost Of Tsushima, Nioh is a step forward in a very extreme direction. The game handles like a mix of something out of Dark Souls and Ninja Gaiden with unique weapons, combos, and skills that make every experience different.
Nioh and its sequel are significantly harder than any fight in Ghost Of Tsushima, so they aren't games for everyone. The story and characters are also a lot less memorable so the game is pretty niche. For fans of samurai weaponry and mythology though, Nioh is a must-play game.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro is a fantastic option to try out after finishing Ghost Of Tsushima for various reasons. The first reason being that both games follow the inner conflict of a samurai who has to make tough decisions to save their way of life from a greater evil. Sekiro takes a more fantastical approach but it's easy to feel immersed in that world, same as the world of the Ghost.
The combat of Sekiro is also very reminiscent of Ghost Of Tsushima. Both rely on precise parry timings, use ninja tools to distract and deter enemies, and are pretty mobile in the air and trees. Sekiro is an easy transition from Ghost Of Tsushima, and definitely worth a shot.
Way Of The Samurai 4
Way Of The Samurai 4 is an older title that is sold on Steam nowadays. It originally released for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 generation of consoles and was received by fans in polarizing ways. The reason the game is fun to go back to is because of its cheesy dialogue and abundance of mechanics.
The combat is similar to a mix of Nioh's and Ghost Of Tsushima, and players can use multiple weapons aside from just a sword. Players make choices in the game that affect the story and can lead to one of ten different endings, which is way more than Ghost Of Tsushima has. Overall, this game is not too long and a fun look back at how open world games have progressed since the early 2010s.
Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun
Blades Of The Shogun is a strategy stealth game unlike most gaming experiences out there. The game places players in specific maps with tasks to complete. It isn't about clashing with the enemy straight up, but rather using resources and the environment to stealthily accomplish tasks.
Just like Ghost Of Tsushima, stealth missions in Blades Of The Shogun give players multiple paths and options to complete each mission, allowing them to be creative. If the stealth missions worked for fans in Ghost Of Tsushima, this game will be a hit to try.
Katana Zero
Katana Zero features flashy, break-neck, brutal action that's delivered through refreshing pixel graphics and neon colors. The contrast between the way of the sword and the neon world of Katana Zero creates an atmosphere that feels something like Hotline Miami crossed with old school Ninja Gaiden.
The game has received fanttastic reviews for its game play, world building, and music. For fans who are all about the action, Katana Zero is an easy pick since it's reasonably priced on Steam, and easy to get into. The game also tells its story by incorporating the cutscenes into the game play, helping players stay immersed without breaking the pace of the action too much.
Samurai Shodown
Fighting games are all about capturing certain fighting styles and incorporating them into a character's identity. Samurai Shodown manages to take different forms of sword fighting and turn them into engaging character designs, with a few samurai characters thrown in the mix.
A lot of the characters are based off of legendary Japanese figures who wielded swords during different time periods so it's great for samurai fans to pick up and recognize the characters. For a modern fighting game, it has unique game modes for single and multiplayer, so once players pick it up, it'll be hard to put back down.
Samurai Warriors
One of the original musou games that put the genre on the map, Samurai Warriors is receiving its 5th installment this year. Throughout the series, legendary swordsmen and women have made appearances, bridging eras of Japanese history together to clash on the battlefield.
For fans of Japanese history and folklore, the Samurai Warriors franchise is a dream come true. Not too much is known about Samurai Warriors 5, but based on the older games, it should be the most ambitious installment yet!
Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time
Games based on television shows or movies generally aren't anything to get too excited for but Battle Through Time is a huge exception. This Samurai Jack game has crisp visuals, great voice acting, and is true to the source material. The overall product is a fun action platformer that fans couldn't get enough of.
There's a surprising amount of depth in the equipment and skills of Battle Through Time, that allows for players to customize the experience to suit their play style. For fans of the series, the game revisits worlds from the show and most iconic episodes as the settings for its progression.
For Honor
For Honor is for the players who want to feel the weight of a katana in their character's hands as well as the armor on their back. While the game isn't based around samurai, the game is all about sword combat. The experience is something straight out of Deadliest Warrior where a Mongolian general clashes with a medieval knight to see whose style is stronger and who would come out on top.
Paired with a large community, various game modes, and 28 total weapon styles, For Honor is great for players who wish they could be samurai in real life. Samurai are a faction of For Honor, meaning there're multiple fighting styles other than just the traditional katana. Samurai players also can fight with pole arms, short swords, and even spiked clubs.
Total War: Shogun 2
As part of the Total War series, Shogun 2 was released in 2011 and is a classic for fans of samurai. It features turn based and real time combat, all with heavy need for strategy and planning, just like real war. Fans and reviewers praised the game for how it refined the mechanics of previous games, and streamlined certain things for new players and veterans alike. This game is also a must-have for fans of Japanese history since it visits real locations, features real historical events, and even historical figures make appearances in the game.