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Top 20 samurai games you need to play

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - October 15th 2024, 16:00 GMT+2

About this gallery:

For this list, we decided to focus on games where you actually play the role of a samurai, no matter the era or how historically accurate it is (you’ll notice we often wander into fantasy and cyberpunk worlds too). Plus, we’re only including one game per franchise.

Just remember, this is totally subjective! If you think we missed a must-play samurai game, why not drop it in the comments? | © Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

THE LAST BLADE 2 — 20. The Last Blade 2 (1998)

If you ever wanted a fighting game where you can feel classy while slashing your foes, *The Last Blade 2* delivers. With its stunning art and sharp, fast-paced combat, it’s like getting your samurai fix without having to leave the dojo. The duels here feel like a dance of blades, but with way more blood. Who knew slicing could be so stylish? | © SNK

Cropped Samurai Champloo Sidetracked — 19. Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked (2006)

Mixing samurai action with hip-hop flair, *Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked* is the video game equivalent of an animated freestyle battle. It’s wild, wacky, and just a little offbeat – exactly what you'd expect from the minds behind the anime. The gameplay might not be as sharp as Mugen’s sword, but it’s got enough charm to keep you cutting through enemies with a grin. | © Grasshopper Manufacture

Cropped Sengoku Basara — 18. Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (2010)

Imagine *Dynasty Warriors* but with even more outrageous samurai action, and you've got *Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes*. It’s over-the-top, flashy, and absurd in the best way possible. One minute you're fighting an army, the next you're jumping off castles and slashing through hordes like you're starring in a historical anime. Pure, unfiltered chaos. | © Capcom

Cropped Genji Dawn of the Samurai — 17. Genji: Dawn of the Samurai (2005)

*Genji: Dawn of the Samurai* is that game that made you feel like you could fight an army single-handedly... except for when the giant enemy crab showed up. Despite its odd moments, this game delivers smooth swordplay and beautiful visuals, wrapping you up in its world of samurai battles and mystical powers. Just remember to hit that weak spot for massive damage! | © Game Republic

Samurai Jack Battle Through Time — 16. Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time (2020)

If you ever wanted to step into Jack’s sandals and slash through dimensions, *Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time* is your chance. The game lets you relive the animated show’s most iconic moments while hacking through enemies with your trusty katana. It’s nostalgia overload, and you’ll be shouting "Aku!" at your screen in no time. | © Soleil Ltd.

Cropped Samurai Warriors 2 — 15. Samurai Warriors 2 (2006)

For those who like their samurai action served in large-scale battles, *SAMURAI WARRIORS 2* is here to fill your screen with enemies. Mowing down hundreds of foes with a few swings of your sword? Check. Ridiculous, larger-than-life moves? Double check. It’s mindless fun, but hey, sometimes all you need is a little button-mashing therapy. | © Omega Force

FOR HONOR — 14. For Honor (Samurai Faction) (2017)

*For Honor* brings the ultimate showdown: samurai vs. knights vs. Vikings. The samurai faction comes with all the grace and finesse you’d expect, but you’ll need quick reflexes to parry your way to victory. It’s like a multiplayer dance of death, and trust me, you’ll be doing a lot of dying before you master it. But once you do? Samurai legend status. | © Ubisoft

13. Trek to Yomi (2022)

*Trek to Yomi* takes you on a black-and-white cinematic journey that feels straight out of a classic samurai movie. The swordplay is deliberate and stylish, but the real star here is the atmosphere. With haunting visuals and somber storytelling, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into an old Kurosawa film – minus the popcorn. | © Flying Wild Hog

Cropped Bushido Blade 2 — 12. Bushido Blade 2 (1998)

In *Bushido Blade 2*, there’s no health bar, no flashy moves – just pure, brutal sword fighting where one wrong move means instant death. It’s a slow, tense dance of blades, and when you finally land that one perfect strike, it’s oh-so-satisfying. Prepare for plenty of one-hit kills and lots of controller-throwing moments. | © LightWeight

SAMURAI SHODOWN — 11. Samurai Shodown (2019)

*Samurai Shodown* makes sword fights feel personal. Each swing feels deliberate, and when you land a hit, you *feel* it. This game is all about patience, timing, and looking cool while cutting down your enemies. It’s like a samurai duel where every move counts, and missteps are punished with a lot of blood. | © SNK

Total War SHOGUN 2 — 10. Total War: Shogun 2 (2011)

Strategy meets samurai warfare in *Total War: Shogun 2*. You’ll spend hours plotting, scheming, and commanding your armies like a feudal lord, all while feeling like you’re in charge of the biggest samurai chessboard ever. It’s brainy, it’s strategic, and it’s the perfect game to test your inner warlord. | © Creative Assembly

9. Furi (2016)

In *Furi*, you’re not just playing as a samurai – you’re playing as a futuristic, neon-drenched one-on-one boss-fighting machine. Every battle is a test of your reflexes and timing, and when you finally take down that next boss, you’ll feel like a true sword master. The game is stylish, brutal, and the bosses don’t play fair. | © The Game Bakers

Rise of the Ronin — 8. Rise of the Rōnin (2024)

*Rise of the Rōnin* is a game where you become a ronin during a time of great change in Japan. Think samurai action with a dash of open-world exploration, historical drama, and of course, the occasional katana duel. It’s still shaping up to be a masterpiece, but so far, it looks like we’ll all be cutting through history in no time. | © Team Ninja

Like a Dragon Ishin — 7. Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023)

In *Like a Dragon: Ishin!*, you get to live out your samurai dreams while mixing in a healthy dose of absurdity and brawling. It’s got the heart of a samurai drama but with all the chaotic energy that *Yakuza* fans know and love. One minute you're slicing through enemies, the next you’re caught in some wild side quest. What’s not to love? | © Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

6. Nioh 2 (2020)

If you thought *Dark Souls* was hard, wait until you try *Nioh 2*. This game takes brutal combat to the next level, combining traditional samurai battles with mythological creatures and ridiculously tough bosses. It’s challenging, it’s rewarding, and it’ll probably make you cry more than once – but in a good way. | © Team Ninja

5. Shogun Showdown (2024)

*Shogun Showdown* takes tactical, turn-based combat and wraps it up in a samurai setting. Each move is carefully calculated, and you’ll need to think several steps ahead to defeat your enemies. It’s like playing a strategic game of chess – but with swords, and the occasional slice of bamboo. | © Roboatino

Shadow Tactics Blades of the Shogun — 4. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun (2016)

Stealth, strategy, and samurai – *Shadow Tactics* is the ultimate game for those who prefer brains over brawn. You’ll guide your squad of skilled assassins through beautifully designed levels, sneaking past guards and pulling off clever kills. It’s tense, rewarding, and makes you feel like the smartest person in the room. | © Mimimi Productions

3. Ghost of Tsushima (2020)

*Ghost of Tsushima* is like playing through a living samurai film. The combat is fluid, the world is breathtaking, and the story tugs at your heartstrings like a well-aimed arrow. Riding through fields of swaying grass while taking down Mongol invaders? It’s a samurai fantasy come to life. | © Sucker Punch Productions

Cropped Katana Zero — 2. Katana Zero (2019)

Time-bending, fast-paced action meets neon-drenched samurai swordplay in *Katana Zero*. The game’s unforgiving difficulty is matched only by how satisfying it is to slice your way through each level. One wrong move and you're dead – but when you nail that perfect run, it feels like you’ve become a true sword master. | © Askiisoft

Cropped Sekiro — 1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)

*Sekiro* is what happens when you take the tough-as-nails combat of *Dark Souls* and give it a samurai twist. With precise swordplay, epic boss fights, and the ability to resurrect yourself after dying (which you’ll do a lot), it’s a game that punishes you for mistakes but rewards you for mastering its complex mechanics. | © FromSoftware

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Samurais have long captured the imagination of gamers with their honor, skill, and epic sword fights. Whether it's through stealthy assassinations, brutal duels, or large-scale battles, samurai games offer a rich variety of experiences that test your reflexes and strategy.

From classic arcade-style fighters to sprawling open-world adventures, the samurai genre is as diverse as it is thrilling. In this list, we've rounded up the top 20 games that let you step into the sandals of a samurai and wield your katana with pride. Prepare yourself for a journey through feudal Japan and beyond as we dive into the best samurai games ever made!

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Samurais have long captured the imagination of gamers with their honor, skill, and epic sword fights. Whether it's through stealthy assassinations, brutal duels, or large-scale battles, samurai games offer a rich variety of experiences that test your reflexes and strategy.

From classic arcade-style fighters to sprawling open-world adventures, the samurai genre is as diverse as it is thrilling. In this list, we've rounded up the top 20 games that let you step into the sandals of a samurai and wield your katana with pride. Prepare yourself for a journey through feudal Japan and beyond as we dive into the best samurai games ever made!