At first I was impressed with the depth and breadth of the topics covered, assuming the best research and insight into the ways of the samurai. The book can be seen as either highly ambitious or preposterous. This book tries to cover everything: from fighting styles, to religious traditions throughout East Asia, to life styles, to the modern inheritance of the spirit of the samurai (explained in terms of Japanese corporations being organized according to a feudal structure). The book is less about "secrets" of the samurai than it is an overall introduction to the samurai warriors and various surrounding topics. This book is a heavy read, weighing in at nearly 500 pages. This just feels like an overwrought jumble of facts, and also, too few primary Japanese sources are consulted and referenced in contrast to a heavy use of more popular English-language sources. It's what would happen if I myself were to write a survey of the history of, say, banking and finance: I'd be able to do the research probably because I know how to do research and how to appreciate historiography, but I would be hard pressed to tie it all together into an interesting and connected text. You get a wealth of facts hither and a tither but without the proper context to bring it all together. Moreover, there are obscure fields such as tessenjutsu (Japanese iron battle fan technique)that need to be explained in greater context, as does the influence of religion and general feudal society in martial arts. Way of the Samurai 3 should be coming before the end of the year, only on Windows.Comprehensive, in the sense a lot of scope is covered and the two authors tried to be encompassing of historical scope and variety of martial systems in Japan, however, these authors seem poorly grounded in Japan's history and make a number of clear errors. If you've played it, let us know what you thought. Critical consensus on 3 seems to be lukewarm, noting charming quirkiness but underwhelming combat. It's not uncommon for games like these, especially Japanese ones, to gather a fairly dedicated following, even in spite of some major flaws (hello, Deadly Premonition!). There's a samurai catgirl who wields a giant tuna as her sword, just to give you an idea. There are also quite a few companions, several costume, and even your sword can be personalized, with options both serious and ridiculous in that signature Japanese style you know and love and love to hate. ![]() There are 22 endings, depending on how you decide to approach each situation - and diplomacy is sometimes as valid an option as fighting - but you'll have to be The Good Guy to be able to unlock some secrets. So, like honourable people, let's just focus on the other features of the game, like its open world, and the extensive freedom it boasts. But you see, it can't really admit it, there's a code to respect. ![]() Those 2 seconds, they're just there, so strikingly out of place with all the rest, just to get the idea in your head. ![]() Being a Samurai is really just an elaborate setup to impress women and let them make allusions to "your real sword." Everything else, the good and the bad, they're all side-effects. It's 1 minute and 40 seconds long, so every frame has to count, right? It goes over things so quickly, but it's long enough to make you understand what it is all about. If editing and screen time mean anything at all, the game is about as proud of its crafting system as it is of its silly sex scenes and their embarrassing innuendos. It's a 2008 open-world action game, originally for PS3 and Xbox 360, which should be gracing the PC with its presence before the end of the year, following in the steps of its sequel Way of the Samurai 4. ![]() I feel like the Way of the Samurai 3 trailer is quite telling about what the game's priorities are.
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