The Five Best Video Games Set In Feudal Japan

Until 1185, emperors ruled Japan. But when civil war broke out in 1336, the power of the current emperor came under threat and he sent out armies of samurai warriors to try to defeat his enemies. Clans then battled in the period known as feudal Japan right up until the 19th century. With its brave samurai warriors and bloodthirsty fights, feudal Japan is ideal for hack-and-slash and fighting video games. Here is our selection of the five best.

 

Samurai Warriors

There are loads of video games starring samurais. But one of the best samurai video games has to be Samurai Warriors; the first in the popular franchise series. In the exciting hack and slash game, you must battle hordes of enemy soldiers and defeat their commander. You have a range of combo attacks and special moves to help you along, and you increase your variety of attack moves as you progress through levels and pick up new weapons. Samurai Warriors is set during the Sengoku period of feudal Japan.
 

Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!

This game is a spin-off from the well-known Yakuza series, and it is arguably even better than titles in the main franchise. Rather than being in a modern setting like the Yakuza games, Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan! is set during the Edo period of Japan. It follows two legendary samurai warriors, Miyamoto Musashi and Sakamoto Ryoma. Sword combat is central to this exciting game. Players can fight with their fists, one blade, two blades, or two-handed blades, and each specific weapon has a unique style, which adds a lot of combat dynamics to the gameplay.
 

Onimusha: Warlords

The first entry in the Onimusha series of games was the first PlayStation 2 game to attain one million sales. It has since gone on to double that figure. The action-adventure game follows the samurai warrior Samanosuke Akechi. After defeating the evil Nobunaga Oda, Samanosuke embarks on a quest to save Princess Yuki from the demons working with Nobunaga’s forces. Taking control of Samanosuke and his accompanying female ninja partner Kaede, it is up to you to defeat the demons. In many ways, Onimusha: Warlords is like Resident Evil with samurais and demons instead of zombies, but it is still remarkably entertaining.
 

Total War: Shogun 2

The second game in the popular Total War franchise is arguably the best. Set in 16th-century feudal Japan, after the? nin War, Total War: Shogun 2 features rival clans led by evil warlords. You take control of the clans to dominate other factions to establish rule over Japan. The limited edition of Total War: Shogun 2 makes things even more exciting, as it features an additional ninja clan, and you can even unlock a tenth clan: the formidable Ikko-Ikki.
 

Ghost of Tsushima

The newest video game set in feudal Japan on the block is the action-adventure stealth game Ghost of Tsushima. Released in 2020, the third-person perspective game features a large open world that you can explore without guidance, and there are plenty of side quests to keep you entertained. You play as the samurai Jin Sakai, who is on a quest to protect Tsushima Island from Mongol invaders. Ghost of Tsushima has been one of the last year’s most popular video games. In fact, it has become so beloved that Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions recently announced that they are developing a movie based on the game.