When Way of the Samurai 3 launched this October, fans were immediately met with delayed ship dates, restricted to non-existent pre-orders and only the most niche of coverage. Only a few GameStop stores actually had the game in the two weeks after its official release date, and information was scarce at best. I ended up getting my copy from Amazon after spending about a week pestering the fine people at my local GameStops in Annapolis. Above all, the lack of information was staggering and unfortunate, even for such a niche, low-profile game.

To compliment what was probably the most busted and low key game launches of all time (OF ALL TIME), Way of the Samurai 3 now has two packages of DLC available for the PS3 version. For the low low price of FREE, players can score "Head and Apparel Items" and "Weapons", which released on 10/21 and 11/04 respectively. How anyone was supposed to know that is beyond me. The official website has nothing about the DLC releases, at all. As it would turn out, GameFAQS message boards continues to reign supreme as the source for all Wots3 North American release details and discussion. There's no word on when this DLC is coming to the 360 version. However, the DLC is available for free on the Japanese Marketplace, so here's hoping the NA version follows suit.



Which is where I scored this weapon image rundown (Viking Axe not pictured). It turns out that once you download the pack, you can access the DLC by finding the very nice lady in the Guard Gate area, featured in the header image. Yes, that's really what she says, preceding the dude in Dragon Age by about 2 years. You can then buy the parts for each weapon (Blade, Pommel, Guard and Grip) and set whatever stance and moves you want, just like making your own swords. The pieces are available for any sort of customization you want. Want the big Fish "blade" with Futuristic guard and grip? Go for it.

The swords themselves are pretty much all for show. Stats-wise, these swords are pure vanity, balancing out to being fairly unremarkable, compared to other blades. Further, there isn't much in the way of special effects. The chainsaw doesn't seem to draw any more blood, despite having a cool constant animation. The Futuristic blade, despite being glowy and from the future, doesn't have any neat laser sword sounds. But certainly, since you're now able to kit out your cardboard box man with a newspaper bladed sword, the quality disappointment is forgettable.



The added armor is a nice touch, including the coveted Cardboard Box armor and some nice re-colors of existing outfits. There's also a handful of skins of the shirtless and skin-tight variety, if you're into admiring ripped samurai. Still, no female heads like previous games, but the ultimate "Play as any NPC" feature from Samurai Point collection more than makes up for that.

I'll be on the look out for any additional DLC drops now. I think there's at least one more piece of armor that we haven't seen yet, to go along with that massive Iron sword. In the meantime, get your freebies!