_ As a bite-size postmortem to my Way of the Samurai 3 obsession-gasm, I haven't played that game in earnest since that glorious weekend of release. With plenty of great new things coming out, and tons of games I've started and haven't finished (Gay Tony, Dragon Age, Lost Winds 2...), I haven't hunkered down for serious playtime in Samurai-land. The experienced happened, and I'm not diving right back in right away. While it goes against the basic idea of a game that you think is great, its a gam I've consumed and I'm fine with that.

I think that speaks to he ability of a game, for a gamer, to have a quick consumption and still exist as a thing you come back to. I don't watch Crimson Tide with any level of regularity, but I always come back to it and declare it my favorite movie of all time. True story. Perhaps the greatness of a media thing isn't how many hours you log with it, but how satisfying a thing it is.

Lookin' at you, Activision PR.

_ As it happens today, I think I've found my new, season long obsession today, and its name is Tropico 3, coming to 360 in February.

Shut up, I don't have a PC.

I downloaded that demo today, and as demos go, its freaking ACE! Everything's unlocked, build functionality wise (I gather) and they give you two missions to sink into. No saving, obviously, and you can't continue an island once you've met the goals. But until then, the game's all yours! Instead of putting the nail into Dragon Age, I spent about 4 hours playing this demo.

So far as I can tell, its going down the detailed road that SimCity has generally turned away from since SimCity 4. I'm not laying down an electrical grid or mapping out evolving city zones. However, I can zoom down to street level and get a detailed report on every citizen that I have under my dictatorship. Within minutes of doing the tutorial, I was glazing over with the joy of excessive city management detail. And to boot, it looks excellent! I reckon this is roughly what SimsVille would have been, but couldn't have, without a sinister hook like the tropical ruler setting.



_ I'd really like an X-Com "reskinning" of Dragon Age. Marinate on how awesome *THAT* would be! Chances are, this new 2K shooter is some FPS-ification of that franchise. But what I really want is tactical gameplay with great character interactions and a commitment to "Aggressive Grey" in the same vein as BioWare's latest.

_ Have you played Echochrome? Better still, have you heard its soundtrack? Echochrome is just amazing. I bought it on a whim, and proceeded to fall loopy for its amazing string quartet soundtrack. I'm going to have to score that score on CD at somepoint. And, seriously, the game is super slick.

_ Oh yeah, I started playing Uncharted 2. Its really good, I guess. Whatever....

... I dunno. Does it bother anyone else that everyone's hailing this is as this great game experience, and a real step forward for games as a medium, and all its doing it making the best playable action movie thats ever been done? Say what you will about the voiceless protagonists in Fable II or Dragon Age, but I'm more invested in those characters that I'm allowed to forge than in these well crafted avatars for me to guide through a cinematic destiny.

Not to say its not well done/nigh flawless execution, and very fun. But if you're going down that games-as-art road, Uncharted 2 shouldn't hang out very deep into that conversation. The best example of storytelling using music shouldn't be an audiobook with a soundtrack behind it.

Meet Andy.

Andy, being a wisened old cat of 3 years, isn't moved by much. Having spent a significant chunk of his life in entertainment (He's done shows, ya know!), he derives no greater pleasure than to enjoy his early retirement in peace. Andy's seen it all, heard it all, and stands generally unphased by the likes of even the finest HD gaming session. If there was ever a cat that was to be a faithful companion to the many adventures I have as a gamer, he wouldn't be it. Thunderous explosions, flashing lighting powers, and giant enemy crab simply don't do it for a sophisticated retired ragdoll such as he.

But tonight, Andy lunged from his perch and sat rapt with attention in front of the TV, staring intensely at the screen and its natural movement. He waited, poised, ready to take advantage of the foolish glutton dot, should it escape its flattened plane of existence and manifest in jumping distance. I had to caution him against it: cat claw and tube glass won't mesh well. Andy soon realized well enough what was happening, but maintained no less interest than before.

He returned to his seat on top of the sofa, and stared captivated at the screen. The soft light flashes. The hypnotically floating blackness. Constant movement contrasted well within the spectrum of his understanding, but not beyond the limits of his awe. Even the playful annoyances of his foster brother, Simon, could not wrest Andy's gaze from the electric light show that was setting his mind afire. This was his type of game. This made sense to him. This was his Citizen Kane.

This is Andy and he's watching me play BIT.TRIP Void.

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!

-Dragon Age: Origins is grand. If you've ever had any connection to D&D or fantasy storytelling, this is where its at. Frankly, the best things about Dragon Age, its story and its character building, are going to ring true no matter what platform you choose. I'm about 8 hours in, and I'm thoroughly impressed and entertained.

- I've realized again that I'm a HUGE GTA fan. There's something about following all of the modern games that's been a real treat for me. I'll try to give that idea some flesh soon. They're not perfect games or narratives, but there's something really special about that series, beyond over publicized sexuality and its open approach to violence.

- STFUAJPG. It seems like it needs to be said more often in the fall than any other time, with big name hype riddled games all dropping at once. Are you really going to spend 5 paragraphs of your time complaining about review scores? Go play your game. Are you honestly getting hot and heavy on comment threads about evocative pre-controversy? Play your games. Are really taking time to wallow in critical rhetoric, when the bumber crop is ready to harvest? Play your games. Enjoy them. Revel in that enjoyment and share THAT with your fellow gamer!

There's plenty of room for criticism and negativity, but come on. Don't criticize your way out of savoring the goods. You're here because you love games right? Show us your love!

- On a somewhat related note, I miss RetroForce GO!

Heh.

- If there's any game taunting me now, its Bit Trip Beat. More than Ikaruga, that game and its second stage are kicking my ass with legitimate regularity. I'll down Ikaruga eventually. Beat? I'm not so sure. I get to the part in Descent where I have to do quick, tight, back and forth with blue dots. Totally toast. This is my Demon's Souls.

- Speaking of WiiWare, I played the first 45 minutes or so of Lost Winds 2. Its simple and gorgeous. The start of the game feels like the beginning of some epic fantasy journey, which was a great way to start the title. They also found a cute way to retcon one of the character's more useful perks, which I appreciate from a design-agreeing-with-narrative stand point.

- I've finally played Punch-Out for Wii! Excellent game a really true to the original, for better and worse. I see where Anthony has a problem with the learning by repetition. There's plenty of that to be experienced and disliked. I probably won't finish title defense before I send it back to Gamefly, but its definitely a cool title that does a lot of things right as a Wii title.

- More fighting! Rented UFC 2009, and its GREAT! It really captures the unpredictable wins of the real thing. And, I must say, the commentary is AMAZING! I haven't even started a career. Exhibitions are completely satisfying. BJPENN.COM!



- Started in on The Ballad of Gay Tony tonight. I'm really enjoying it so far! I can appreciate very much that they didn't make Luis the main character of GTA IV. While he could easily fit into the same mold as Niko, they're doing things with the social structure of Algonquin Island that make it more interesting than the full scale rags to riches romp that a core GTA game ends up having to be. Luis is finding himself so far in more diplomatic and social conflicts, rather than being expected, on no uncertain terms, to solve a problem with bullets.

In particular, there's a Club Management "mini-game"/job that you get to do. I'm a sucker for management in games, and this is mostly up my alley. Instead of managing books and balances, you're watching your clientele and responding to random things that happen at a bar: tab skippers, smashed assholes and general disturbances. You have an assistant watching the security cameras, giving you hot tips on possible trouble. Even without the random sexual encounters, the freeform dance system and the great drunk effect (the screen bobs more to the music when you've had a drink), its a blast for me to just keep my property in check, from the floor.

I guess it reminds me of being an RA and working in hospitality. As stressful as it was to have to deal with real people's problems (legitimately serious or otherwise), there was sometimes that rush of "I've done something decent for somebody today.", which was always gratifying. Without the real world stress, I guess I really get to savor it, how ever virtual or fleeting.

Picture, if you will, the timeless Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day, wherein Murray portrays weatherman Phil Connors, re-living the same day with no reasonable end insight. He soon learns the rules of his plight, wherein, regardless of death or incarceration, he will begin the day anew in his bed equipped with the knowledge acquired from the previous day. We follow him as he explores the limits of his humanity as a man with nothing to lose, delving into all manner of human experience.

We experience his humor and his depression. His lusts and gluttony. The depth of his selfish cunning and the limits of his capacity to give of himself. By the end of his glimpse into divine-like omniscience, we see a man that has used his time to better himself through practice and wise decision making, guided by learned skill and an understanding of the world he lives in.

Now, imagine playing Bill Murray's role, change Phil from a weatherman to a samurai, and shift the setting from modern day Punxetawny, Pennsylvania to Sengoku Era Japan.

Welcome to the the world of Way of the Samurai 3.

Way of the Samurai 3 (XBOX360 and PS3-reviewed)
Developer: Acquire
Publisher: UFO Interactive (360), Agetec (PS3)
Released: October 15th to 20ish (long story)
Priced: $40-$50 new



The flow of Samurai 3, like the games before it, takes you through a series of events set against the culture and social structure of feudal Japan. The rules of the world are nearly as simple as Phil Connors': When your HP reaches zero, or when you complete the full run of a story branch, you are lead to begin your day from your first moments in Amana. The way is a bit more forgiving this time around, as the Rogue-like "You die and lose everything" penalty system is all but gone. Upon death you retain all possessions, swords, yen and acquired skill. The result is a world that runs more akin to an easy-going Dead Rising than the punitive Baroque or the original Rogue. This makes running through repeated, dangerous scenarios a bit less frustrating, though the sting of progression loss still gives your life some value.

In this third installment, the player progresses through the world over any number of days, addressing story events as they please. Unlike the strict time and location story events of the original, some events will occur regardless of time, allowing the player freedom to tinker and progress as they please.



Well what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today!

And tinker you may! Way 3 has a wide range of distractions and side missions that you can sink into as you insert yourself into the tenuous societal fabric of Amana region. Your ronin can find ways to attract a primarily female cast of Partner characters to join up with him for adventuring. Though some are not terribly helpful, a number of them provide access to things that would normally require a visit to your wanderer's village home. Its a little clunky, but a nice addition. Other distractions range from delivering messages and helping old ladies across the village, to sparring at the dojo or weapon creation, to more dangerous tasks such as tracking down a murderous highwayman and chopping vegetables.

Make no mistake: danger rests at the edge of any action. Even in the game's mini-games, the rules still apply. If you die in the mini-game or on a mission, you're dead. While chopping vegetables seems safe enough, the villagers see some need to toss harmful stone lanterns into the mix, to keep you on your toes. No matter where you are, your HP matters.

Its easy enough to say this series is built on the "Choose your own adventure" tradition of branched story telling. However, its much more accurate to note that Way of the Samurai is a game about consequential intricacy. Much like Phil Connors, your path in the world does not merely form by the places you go to during the day. The nature of your interaction plays a role in the shaping of the Amana region. Its not enough that you merely show up for en event. Your actions, from unsheathing your blade mid conversation, to stern admonishment, to simply walking away, form the details of the game's outcome. Beyond the choice of a "good" mission or a "bad" mission, you're presented with a situation, and are allowed to react with a solid subset of responses.



Sweet Vermuth on the rocks, with a twist...

Similarities to Groundhog Day don't merely stop at flow and iteration. To look at either the film or this game, dated technique and quality of visuals are evident and sometime glaring. You won't find the most crisp visuals or the newest tricks in visual artisanship in the medium here. Way of the Samurai 3, as a two year old, sub-major release, has a number of visual and technical concessions to scope limitation. Somewhat bland textures and few noticeable quick-skin techniques are used in conjunction with a solid sense of cinematic presentation and deft shot composition. While one can groan at the poorly modeled and skinned feet of your default samurai body during the opening sequence, you'll also notice the extra care taken to give reasonable life to the often stern faces of the major players. Its this mixed bag that helps creates a pulp masterpiece that's one part low budget samurai popcorn flick and two parts epic samurai drama.

Not to assert so much that the visuals are designed for total kitch or ironic value. The graphic elements are by no means this item's strong suit. But to discount the work for its technical merits in graphics alone would do a great disservice to the game's success of creating an adequate play space for the proceedings. The art direction of the game, though at times spartan beyond reasoning, is commendable. The sprawling and regal Castle Amana stands in stark comparison to ramshackle Ouka Stronghold. The dead battle field of Kuchihagahara comprises a different world and mood from "The Road", a nature filled temple passage set adjacent to a waterfall vista. Stopping for a moment to reflect, tree branches sway in the breeze and lighting motifs are executed adequately. The world is crafted and alive, regardless of the lacking texture complexity and asset clipping.

Sound plays a large role in the experience as well. The music of this series has always been a mash up of modern and traditional styles, and the latest iteration is no exception. As strange as it is to feel a cool, dub-style bass thump mixed against japanese flute shrills, the end result meshes well with the lively ambient sound of tree insects and local rivers. When battle flares, its a frenetic mix of folk guitar twangs, melody/theme runs and the clash of swords. Aside from an english dub that registers anywhere from flick-dub melodramatic to flashes of sincerity, the sound lays the ground work for the action perfectly..



Now don't go saying you don't remember me because I sure as heckfire remember you!

Oh yeah, there's a fighting game built in here to boot! The fighting itself is a solid mix of straight up beat'em-up fightan and Bushido Blade-esque, sequence timing tactics. Street Fighter III and Devil May Cry fans alike may find themselves right at home with the surprisingly nuanced battle gameplay. Attacks can be simply blocked or, for the more technical fighter, precisely parried using a well timed block button tap at the point of impact. Mastery of the parry skill leads to instant kills and chain kills. Unlike the second installment of the series, merely pulling or pushing your opponent off balance will not insure an instant kill. For those players willing to explore the depths of the system, you will be rewarded with what I gather to be an especially satisfying mash up of QTE and actual skill based gameplay. I've yet to master it myself, but it seems like a pretty righteous method.

True to form, the breadth of variety in sword stance and style returns to this installment. Improvements include a dual wielding with any two single blades, improved spear stance (no longer an imitation of side stance), and the inclusion of open palm fighting. While bare-hand fighting can only parry attacks (you can't block a sword with your hand), and can only be expanded through scrolls, its an exciting addition to the series' purely weapon based tradition.



You know I was waiting for midnight!

To round things out, the game holds a treasure trove of unlockables that can both be purchased in game, as well as unlocked by increasing your "Samurai Points" that are awarded based on how honorable and true your actions were to the code of bushido. Avoiding death and preserving life yields positive results to this effect. Notable unlocks include a futuristic powersuit, instant kill difficulty (one hit to you or your opponent results in death) and playing as any NPC that you've defeated with your blunt strikes (Kenshin style).

All told, Way of the Samurai 3 is a unique statement in the lexicon of game experiences. Too easygoing to be a straight beat'em-up. Too twtichy to be an RPG. Too low-budget to warrant cutting edge graphic work and major release advertisement and hype. And perhaps, just too janky to reasonably award a "10", despite having logged 20 thoroughly enjoyed hours of it. But for my money and time, Way of the Samurai 3 provides one of the most uniquely realized and satisfying gameplay events in the paradigms of samurai genre fandom, existential repetition and good old fashioned Japanese quirkiness. Under the pretense that you're even considering this niche title, you'll do right to pick this game up and add it to your collection.



I'm *A* god, I'm not *the* God

Available for $40 to $50 new, and, frankly, possibly available used for $20 to $30 very quickly.

- If you dig samurai genre fiction, and japanese quirk: 9 -- must buy!
- If you're at all curious about what lies under the surface of mainstream gaming: Gamefly at position 1!
- On the Destructoid Scoring Scale: 8 -- Great (8s are impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.)