Summary
- Samurai games like Onimusha: Warlords offer intense swordplay and action set in historical Japan.
- Players enjoy RPGs with compelling narratives and combat mechanics to experience the samurai class fully.
- Titles like Samurai Warriors provide hack and slash gameplay with combo attacks against enemies.
Being able to play as a samurai in any kind of game is always exciting and a most welcome experience. There's just something about the historical period these famous individuals lived in that can elevate any gameplay beyond perfection. Some samurai games, like Ghost of Tsushima, are set in beautiful open worlds, whereas others focus on hack and slash combat mechanics and smaller settings.
10 Best Samurai Characters in Games, Ranked
These iconic samurai video game characters entertain with their strong morals, charm, and excellent combat skills.
There are also outstanding RPGs featuring a samurai class, which almost always allow players to make the most out of the combat mechanics present in any title. Here are some of the best games that let players take on the role of a historical samurai.
5 Onimusha: Warlords
A Story Of A Samurai And Evil, Demonic Forces
Onimusha: Warlords
- Released
- March 14, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Samanosuke Hidemitsu must take on the powerful Genma
- Hidemitsu is granted special powers for his journey
Onimusha: Warlords is set primarily during the famous Japanese Sengoku period and follows the story of Samanosuke Akechi, who is based on Akechi Hidemitsu, a Japanese samurai of the same historical period.
After receiving a letter from his cousin Princess Yuki, Samanosuke will have to start a journey towards saving her while taking on demonic creatures known as Genma. This is no easy task, so Samanosuke is granted special powers by the Oni clan to have a fighting chance against such evil and mighty threats. While they don’t have a lot in common, Onimusha: Warlords is an outstanding title that those who enjoyed Fate/Samurai Remnant might appreciate as well.
4 Samurai Warriors
A Hack And Slash Packed With Action
Samurai Warriors
- Released
- February 11, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2, Xbox (Original)
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Developer(s): Omega Force
- Genre(s): Hack and Slash, Fighting Game
- Players can use a wide range of combos to defeat their enemies
- The main character is based on Sanada Nobushige
Like Onimusha: Warlords, Samurai Warriors is also set during the Sengoku period, which seems to be a very popular choice for developers who make these kinds of games. The main character, Yukimura Sanada, is based on the famous samurai Sanada Nobushige, also known as Sanada Yukimura, who was prominent during the Sengoku period.
Elden Ring: Best Weapons For A Samurai Build, Ranked
Elden Ring has weapons for many different classes. Here are the best for a deadly Samurai build that will decimate any foes in The Lands Between.
Throughout the game, players will have the chance to use a wide range of combo attacks that can be very effective against both single enemies and large crowds, dealing maximum damage at every turn. Samurai Warriors not only kick-started a longstanding franchise, but is also among the top 5 titles ever released in this universe, which goes to show just how great it is.
3 Fate/Samurai Remnant
Great Combat Mechanics And A Compelling Narrative
Fate/Samurai Remnant
- Released
- September 28, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
- Miyamoto Iori was Miyamoto Musashi's son
- Musashi was a Rōnin
Fate/Samurai Remnant is an outstanding game that does a lot of things better than any other Musou title. Players take on the role of Miyamoto Iori, who, coincidentally, was the real-life son of famed Rōnin Miyamoto Musashi. The main difference between a samurai and a Rōnin is that the former had a master, whereas the latter didn’t.
The plot of Fate/Samurai Remnant is full of interesting twists and turns that keep gameplay feeling fresh while allowing players to enjoy the outstanding mechanics in it. This, along with the compelling narrative that the game offers players, makes for an absolute masterpiece that any fan of the genre must try at least once.
2 Nioh
Players Take On The Role Of A Fictionalized Version Of The Historically Famous William Adams
Nioh
- Released
- February 7, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- William Adams was known as "Anjin", which means pilot in Japanese
- There are many useful skills in Nioh that players can take advantage of
Other than Assassin's Creed Shadows, Nioh is probably the most recent title on this list, as it was released in 2017. It follows the story of William Adams, an Irish sailor who was famously known as Anjin, or “pilot”, among the Japanese community.
Adams is a famous real-life historical figure who lived between 1564 and 1620. Throughout the story, Adams pursues the sorcerer Edward Kelly into the battles that took place in the final years of the Sengoku period. Nioh has some powerful skills that players can take advantage of, similar to Fate/Samurai Remnant. The game was so popular that it even has a sequel that, while rated slightly lower than the first title, still delivers a very enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
1 Total War: Shogun 2
A Historically Accurate Depiction Of Ancient Japan
Total War: Shogun 2
- Released
- March 15, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
- Players can choose from nine different clans
- Set in the famous Sengoku period
Total War: Shogun 2 is probably one of the most historically accurate depictions of battles in ancient Japan and the factions that were involved in them. The game is set in 16th century feudal Japan during the Sengoku period, which appears to be the center point for most titles revolving around the samurai thematic.
The Best Samurai Themed Open-World Games
Plenty of video games let you play the role of a Samurai, but not many let you freely explore as one. These are the best open-world Samurai games.
Throughout the game, players will have the chance to choose between nine major clans, which include the Date clan, the Hōjō clan, the Mōri clan, the Oda clan, the Takeda clan, and many others—all of which were real-life samurai clans that were revered in this particular period. While Total War: Shogun 2 is not one of the best Total War games ever made, it gives players the chance to relive the Sengoku period in all its glory.
Special Mention: Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows
- Released
- March 20, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Assassin's Creed Shadows will allow players to take on the role of Yasuke
- The game promises fast-paced combat and intricate game mechanics
The Assassin's Creed franchise, especially in its beginnings, was widely known for being historically accurate in some regards and educating players in some of the most famous landmarks and historical figures present in every title released. While this has mostly not been the case in some of the most recent releases, the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises to allow players to take on the role of Yasuke, a samurai of African origin who served under the Oda Nobunaga clan in the early 1580s.
Aside from this, one of the greatest things that Assassin's Creed Shadows seems to be doing for its community is allowing fans to voice NPCs, which is quite interesting and gives players the chance to feel like they’re part of the game.
5 Best JRPGs Where You Play As A Samurai Or Ronin
JRPGs can have various characters taking on many roles. Here are some of the best JRPGs where playing as a samurai or a ronin is possible.