Games Inbox: What is the best samurai video game?

The Friday letters page looks forward to Forza Horizon 6’s Japanese setting, as a Deus Ex fan is not convinced by the newly announced remaster.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Ghost of the Samurai
Really nice review of Ghost Of Yōtei, GC. I thought it would get that sort of reception, as Ghost Of Tsushima was basically the same deal: really well made but a lot of old ideas patched together from other games. I won’t pretend I didn’t enjoy it, but I knew even while I did that it wasn’t anything special.

I found your comments about it being very un-Japanese interesting too, since as you say this is not the sort of game anyone in Japan would make. Which makes the obvious question of what is the best samurai game from Japan? And which is the best overall?

I can’t really think of any that are fully serious, since most of them are like Nioh with monsters and such in them. I guess that’s just how Japan wants to do things though and you can’t really tell them no.
Limpton

GC: As a game, we’d say Assassin’s Creed Shadows is probably the best, although it’s pretty close with Ghost Of Yōtei. The best Japanese made game is probably Rise Of The Rōnin, although it’s far from perfect. Most historical Japanese games feature a lot of fantastical elements, even when other aspects are historically accurate, but the Way Of The Samurai series is probably the most realistic. Like A Dragon: Ishin! is also interesting, although it’s very similar to the early Yakuza games.

First amongst equals
I wouldn’t pay a penny over the normal price of PlayStation 5 for the PS5 Pro, I really hate the concept. Knowing that there’s a better version of my console out there but it’s stupidly expensive and doesn’t make that much difference anyway (and makes things worse in some cases) really gets my goat.

I hate that I can’t afford it, I hate that if I could afford it it would be a waste, and I hate that Sony purposefully only released it, and the PS4 Pro, a couple years in, so everyone has to double dip. It really shouldn’t be allowed.

Microsoft only didn’t copy them because nobody’s buying an Xbox now anyway, so they definitely wouldn’t buy that, but the whole idea of a mid-generation upgrade is so wrong. The only thing I’ll accept is if they release one at the same time as the original launch, so there’s a choice from the start, but even then I still don’t like it.

The whole point of a console is supposed to be that it’s a fixed system and everyone’s works in exactly the same way. The Xbox Series S was a terrible idea too, for breaking this rule. I’m not surprised kids aren’t into consoles as much nowadays, the way they try to fleece you now sucks.
Fargle

Japan via Leamington Spa
The Tokyo Game Show may not be very big anymore, but we sure have had a lot of Japanese related games and news lately, and I appreciate that. Hopefully it gets bigger every year and can see a better balance against US dominance.

That said, I am glad to see that Forza Horizon 6 will be set in Japan, even if it is yet another game with a Japanese setting that’s not by a Japanese company. I do feel it’s a shame and I’d really like to get in a position where Japanese publishers can afford to make a game on that scale, or like Ghost Of Yōtei, but actually do it themselves.
Ansel

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Of its time
Despite being one of my all-time favourites I’m not fully on board with the Deus Ex remaster yet.

First of all, the game’s graphics weren’t exactly cutting edge even when it came out, so it doesn’t look like the upscaled models and textures that developers Aspyr have highlighted make much difference. Especially since there are a number of fan mods that have done the same thing.

The selling point of the original were the huge, sprawling levels which had multiple ways to solve objectives – a novelty back then but obviously more familiar these days.

What was really needed was a full remake, although I’m guessing that would be a considerable outlay for the publisher, for a large scale game with a limited appeal. Still, the original is regularly available for a couple of pounds or less, for those interested in discovering what the future of games looked like 25 years ago.
Frogs Bowser

GC: We certainly got less interested when we realised it wasn’t Nightdive Studios making it.

A Farewell to Arms
I’ve been playing and enjoying (is that the right word?) Silent Hill f and I’ve got to what I assume is the scene you talked about in your review and all I can say is… wow. That’s not something I’m going to forget about in a while.

A really great game. I can see the issues with the combat, especially because that’s not really what the game is about, but I think it’s fine and it sure is tense when you mess up a couple of battles and are running low on heath. Poor Hinako, I hope I can get her a happy ending. But knowing how Silent Hill games are, I’m not so sure that’s even possible.
Tacle

The next step
Greetings to my fellow gaming enthusiasts. With the video game market leaning into remakes and remasters across the board, and Nintendo being a main contributor (see Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 as the latest example), how long will it be until we see a proper remake of Super Mario 64?

One of the most influential games of all-time, truly innovative and ahead of its time, Super Mario 64 remains a revered exhibit of video game history. Will we see it remade or remastered in the near future, or will it be in five or 10 years, to celebrate 50 years of Mario?

Cheers from across the pond.
Andrew
Currently playing: Borderlands 4, Metal Gear Solid Delta, Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, and Ready or Not

GC: Well, Super Mario 64 will be 30 years old next June… A remake of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time has been a popular fan wish for a while now. Nintendo isn’t averse to low budget remakes, like Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, but it remains to be seen if they’d commit the money and resources for something on a larger scale.

Essential items
I really hate you for telling me about this Nintendo pop-up store. I am going to end up spending so much there my bank account is already weeping.

I wonder if this will be a tryout for a permanent store at some point. If you can have a Disney store in every city surely we can have at least one Nintendo store in every country, especially as they can use it for Directs and previews and other sorts of promotions. I don’t think my life will be complete until I have a Mario tea towel.
Blanko

Returning from death
This will be a popular opinion, according to GC, but I can say without a shred of doubt that Wolverine and Saros look generationally phenomenal. Barring the mediocrity of the State Of Play as a whole, I am exceptionally impressed by Saros, more than anything. I always wanted to play through Returnal, since GC rate it so very highly. But the thought of death equalling a trek to the beginning of the level, put me off quite much.

If Sekiro featured that mechanic as a death penalty, would it have scored as well as it did? Not a chance. From a gameplay perspective, Returnal is fantastic as a fast-paced shooter. Because it had to be. Gameplay was key as a focus and it carries into what Saros is bringing to the table. Not only the talent of Rahul Kohli as Arjun Devraj, which is quite a shift from Selene in the first game. But it seems a more intriguing narrative.

2026 is a stacked year, but I of course can say Saros is on my list. Because with the shield mechanic and upgrades remaining in your possession, it seems a more accessible experience, this time around. One more thing, there’s readers out there who consider the Wolverine title too extreme in terms of gore and violence? I’ve got one word and a number for you, if you consider this game even remotely violent. Manhunt 2. Take a gander at that. It’s banned in the UK. Happy hunting
Shahzaib Sadiq

GC: Manhunt 2 was not banned in the UK.

Inbox also-rans
Is it true that we’re getting a new Ecco The Dolphin game next year, and a remaster of the original Mega Drive game? Cheers GC.
Dark Anima X

GC: Supposedly, but nothing’s been shown of them so far, so we’d be cautious with your optimism.

I used really like the Yakuza games but there are just so many of them, I can’t keep up. I don’t know how anyone else does, they must not play any other games just to have the time. Or am I the only person with a lack of free time problems?
Moto

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The small print
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