The unique aesthetic of Japanese culture is a renowned backdrop to several movies, television shows, and now AAA video games. Feudal Japan is a historical period in the country’s longevity that’s the setting for many horrific battles between Mongols, samurai, and shoguns, but there’s also an elegance to the armor, weapons, and environments that stand the test of time.
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It’s no secret that Sucker Punch Production’s hit 2020 action-adventure game,Ghost of Tsushima, provided a perfect example of the beauty and brutality residing in this era, and it’s not the first game to bring this grandeur to life. Here are 10 of the best games set in Feudal Japan, ranked.
10Onimusha: Warlords
First Action-Adventure Entry In Capcom’s Hack-And-Slash Series
Indulge in this classic revenge story following samurai Samanosuke Akechi, who must save Princess Yuki from Nobunaga Oda’s forces. This debut went on to become the first PlayStation 2 game to reach one million sales, and now, you can even check out last year’s Onimusha animated series that was brought to life by Netflix — boasting the series’ popularity.
Borrowing puzzle mechanics and a fixed camera style from theResident Evilseries,Onimusha: Warlordsis a fantastic staple in the samurai sub-genre, and ourreviewhighlighted that it aged like fine wine. Entertaining combat, seamless level design, and a 71 Metascore give this title a place in the ranking, but it lives in the shadow of more memorable games.
Onimusha: Warlords
9Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Transporting The Yakuza Series Back In Time
Playing as a samurai legend, Sakamoto Ryoma, thisYakuzaspin-off title sees the protagonist search feudal Japan for his father’s killer to restore honor to the family name. With Japan’s future in your hands, enjoy some of the classic Yakuza staples - like karaoke and gambling - while conquering the Battle Dungeon.
Carrying an 81 Metascore,Like A Dragon: Ishin!builds upon the successful elements of its parent franchise and marries its gameplay with the Bakumatsu Era for flavor. This feudal frenzy earns a higher place over Onimusha: Warlords for its storytelling, combat styles, and handling of the Meiji Restoration warfare period, but stays lower in the ranking for sticking more to Yakuza’s style instead of traditional Japanese.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
8Total War: Shogun 2
The Seventh Strategy Game In Creative Assembly’s Total War Series
Real-time and turn-based strategy dictate the darkest age of Japan inTotal War: Shogun 2. The game offers online battles with up to eight players, the opportunity to build your kingdom and lead armies of samurai and warships, and master fire and siege tactics to gain an advantage over opposing clans.
A 90 Metascore confirms this strategy title is one of the best in the genre, blending accessible features for newcomers and veterans with the gunpowder warfare of the Napoleon expansion. The campaign can be a little repetitious at times, which keeps it in the low ranks, but the entire tactical experience set in Japan’s history is more rewarding than Like a Dragon: Ishin!.
Total War: Shogun 2
Team Ninja’s Soulslike Presents Punishing Yokai
You know it’s a Soulslike game when the tagline is “Ready to die?”.Niohpits Irish sailor, William Adams, against a horde of yokai plaguing Japan within a fictionalized version of the year 1600. Ki management and sword stances are beneficial techniques to learn against these ruthless demons, and this first entry in the two-part series earned an 88 Metascore.
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Often described as epic, hellish, andone of the best Soulslikes for under $20, Nioh is praised for its combat mechanics, rich and vibrant setting inspired by Feudal Japan, and balanced gameplay that gives you the will to go on after many deaths. This feast for the eyes wins over the enjoyable strategy dynamic in Total War: Shogun 2, but it stays lower in the list only because there are slightly better games on offer.
Clover Studio’s Stellar Adventure Game Mixes Action, Platforming, And Puzzles
A 93 Metascore gives this iconic PlayStation 2 title universal acclaim and offers a very different artistic vision of Feudal Japan. Taking place in a classical but fictional version of the country called Nippon,Okamiuses Japanese mythology and folklore to tell the story of the white wolf and Shinto sun goddess, Amaterasu, and how she saved the land from darkness.
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Flaunting a cel-shaded environment meant to mimic Japanese ink illustrations, Okami also borrows gameplay styles fromThe Legend of Zeldaseries, and it’s in the running for one of the best video games of all time. Despite the difficulty remaining effortless, Okami’s originality cannot be overlooked, and it earns a place in the middle ranks.
Team Ninja’s Sequel Elevates The Japanese Culture Established In Its Predecessor
With a narrative serving as a prequel to Nioh, the sequel has players control half-yokai, or Shiftling, Hide, and must tear through the powerful yokai, Otakemaru, while navigating the rise and fall of warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.Nioh 2also harbors an impressive 85 Metascore, and amplifies the highs of the first entry.
What makes Nioh 2 a better game than the 2017 title is the developer’s ability to refine the unique difficulty of the predecessor, rich mythology influences, and a rewarding character progression system to keep players riveted to the cause. The sheer thrill of gameplay in this sequel just takes the edge over Okami, and it solidifies its place asone of the best Soulslikes of all time.
4Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
FromSoftware Presents Feudal Japan At Its Harshest
Winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards back in 2019,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis FromSoftware’s take on the Feudal Japan setting — mixed with their own supernatural touches. Centering around the disgraced and deformed one-armed wolf warrior, this action-adventure game exists in a fictional reality of Japan’s past.
Tasked with avenging himself and his lord, the wolf uses stealth, exploration, bloody melee, and a robust toolset to tackle the opposing samurai clan and is often deemed the hardest game by FromSoftware. Unsurprisingly, this brutal title earned a 90 Metascore for its brilliant combat design, raw narrative, and painstaking challenge, taking fourth place over Nioh 2.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
3Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun
Stealth-Focused RTS Game With Beautiful Graphics
Taking a break from action-adventure titles,Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogunis visually extremely satisfying and oozes the ambiance of Feudal Japan down to the smallest pixel. Inspired by the Commandos andDesperadosgame series, you lead a small team to infiltrate various locations to successfully perform tasks of sabotage and assassination alongside gathering information.
A strong 85 Metascore is backed with love for the colorful and intricately detailed locations straight from Japan’s history, the exhilarating suspense involved in surviving each setting, and the reward in strategizing your own infiltration. The satisfaction accumulated from Shadow Tactics nudges this entry above Sekiro.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
2Trek To Yomi
Side-Scrolling Action Game Honoring Classic Samurai Movies
Similar to Okami, Trek to Yomi offers a unique art style to compete with the other entries on this list. Set in black and white and capturing the cinematic magic of Akira Kurosawa’s portfolio, Leonard Menchiari and Flying Wild Hog’s hack-and-slash is no doubt a visual masterpiece presenting the simple but emotional tale of young swordsman Hiroki, who must venture into a world between life and death to avenge his home and master.
It’s easy to see why Trek to Yomi isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, made clear in the lower Metascore of 71, and this comes down to the narrative being rather short and perhaps a little tame up against Sekiro and the Nioh games. However, the side-scrolling action and striking environments leave a lasting impression on the brain and stand head and shoulders above Shadow Tactics’ visuals.
Trek to Yomi
1Ghost Of Tsushima
An Emotional Ride Through Japan’s Beauty And Brutality
Does it come as a surprise to see Ghost of Tsushima take the number one spot? It shouldn’t, because Sucker Punch’s beautifully fluid and environmentally stunning action-adventure is the best game to bring Feudal Japan to life. Despite being limited to exploring Tsushima Island, the cultural and mythological aesthetic is showcased through jaw-dropping graphics, lighting, and oneheart-breaking story.
Whether you rigidly follow the main story, spend your time following foxes to their shrines, or simply ride your loyal horse through the gorgeous times of day, this game is truly a gem for all gamers to experience. It’s almost criminal that the Metascore is only 83, because if you want authentic Feudal Japan, this is where to go.
Ghost of Tsushima
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