It seems like everyone wants to or has made a Samurai game these days, and who can blame the studios? When games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Ghost of Tsushima, and Nioh, top the sales charts, studios, big and small, will try and capitalize on their success. But, while games like Rise of the Ronin are feeling a bit too derivative if still excellent, an upcoming title from Digital Mind Games is looking to jump into the saturated genre with a unique twist in aesthetics.
The Spirit of the Samurai is a 2D Metroidvania-style action game that features a stunning blend of stop-motion animation, high-end CGI cinematics, and chillingly beautiful environments, promising an adventure unlike anything we've seen before.
Inspired by the legendary work of Ray Harryhausen, the game takes players on a journey through Feudal Japan, presenting a mesmerizing stop-motion visual feast reminiscent of classics like Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans. The ambition of this artistic direction is immediately apparent, and it's clear the game is intent on pushing the boundaries of its medium.
The Spirit of the Samurai cleverly introduces an array of distinctive characters each with unique gameplay mechanics that will require strategic adaptability. Takeshi, the samurai, excels in combat, hacking apart both the undead and supernatural adversaries with equal condemnation and ease. The Kodama spirit, small but mighty, also battles these dark forces. Lastly, Chisai, the cat, excels in stealth and platforming, sneaking past enemy lines and maneuvering through treacherous terrains.