The Spirit of the Samurai features some smooth combat | Hands-on preview

The Spirit of the Samurai features some smooth combat | Hands-on preview

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours slashing through hordes of enemies in various games, I can confidently say that The Spirit of the Samurai has already made its mark on my gaming radar. The combat feels intuitive and satisfying, with the swordplay being particularly noteworthy. The stop-motion art style is a breath of fresh air, adding an authenticity to the game that’s hard to find elsewhere.


Despite just a brief sneak peek at The Spirit of the Samurai, it was evident that its combat is immensely gratifying. With Takeshi, the samurai, slicing through undead foes like a wire through meat, his sword movements are both swift and accurate, eliminating enemies in an efficient manner. You control his movements using the right analog stick, evading attacks, parrying or executing actions depending on the situation. I encountered various types of adversaries – soldiers, zombies, and insect-like creatures – each displaying unique attack patterns that demanded my attention.

After mastering the fundamentals of combat, I ventured through the assigned village. While I could solely control Takeshi, I familiarized myself with his fighting style extensively, discovering new combos and acquiring extra weapons for battling enemies. The bow provided a distant strike, as did the kunai, but the sword remained my preferred choice. Each sword fight was nerve-wracking and intimate, and every blow felt significant, contributing to an authentic feel.

The Spirit of the Samurai features some smooth combat | Hands-on preview

The Game titled “The Spirit of the Samurai” boasts an impressive aesthetic, with its unique stop-motion art style showcasing remarkable design. Particularly striking are the scenes where Takeshi dashes through the mist, but it’s the meticulously crafted and illuminated village that makes every instant captivating. Despite being just a sneak peek, the lighting is breathtaking, and the characters are intricately detailed. Additionally, aside from battling the danger threatening the village, I had to be careful to dodge various traps scattered around as well.

Following my descent beneath the earth, I encountered numerous pits brimming with spikes that repeatedly ensnared me. Additionally, there were cages laden with spikes suspended from the ceiling, which would collapse and pummel me, swelling and bleeding my head. The respawn points seemed rather distant at times, particularly in the dimly lit underground area. Getting trapped and having to restart the entire journey grew tiresome, but overall, I have no major issues as we approach the complete launch.

I can’t wait to dive into The Spirit of the Samurai when it becomes available. The fight sequences are exhilarating, and the swordplay is particularly captivating. Unfortunately, during my initial 40-minute playthrough, I didn’t get a chance to explore how the spirit or the cat element ties into the narrative and gameplay. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait too long for more details. Based on my brief experience, this game definitely piques my interest, and I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds and brings the world to life. And please, let me explore as the cat character soon!

The Spirit of the Samurai is coming to PC, and you can try the demo on Steam now.

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2024-10-10 16:16