Info about Way of the Samurai 3:

Official game description:
As a major release from the million+ selling _Way of the Samurai_ series, _Way Of The Samurai 3_ is the prequel to the Famitsu Gold Award winning _Way Of The Samurai 4_ and furthers the series’ blend of customization, exploration and action gameplay!  
**Honour, sacrifice, betrayal**… Your choices make you who you are. How will history remember you?  
You must wield the sword of a mysterious lone samurai during Japan’s turbulent Sengoku era, in one of the most atmospheric action RPGs ever created.  
Explore the villages, body-strewn battlefields, bandit fortresses, immense castles and local town of Amana, in an open world bustling with a rich cast of colourful characters that you can help, ignore or victimise.  
Choose your friends and enemies carefully in a game where every decision has far-reaching consequences, and where finishing the game is just the beginning of your journey…  
• _The Butterfly Effect_ – More than 20 different endings. Your every action, no matter how subtle or ludicrous, could set in motion a huge variety of events, allowing for huge replayability. Explore new narrative paths, reveal new allies… and enemies!  
• _Huge Customization_ - Craft your own unique weapons from over 200 different parts. Create the ultimate unbreakable weapon to suit your preferred fighting style. Forge lethal swords, spears, pole axes and more outlandish weaponry and discover hundreds of new abilities as you become a true master of each weapon!  
• _Reward System and Samurai Rating_ – Your actions and conduct will reward you with Samurai Points and Titles, all of which unlock new game features, customisation options, outfits and accessories. Live as an honourable samurai, wallow in the low life of a bandit or strike your own path! Your choices lead to new endings, strange followers and other unexpected outcomes.  
• _The Pen Can Be Mightier Than the Sword_ - Fight your enemies by force or take the diplomatic route, using subtle gestures like the unsheathing of your sword or kowtowing. Featuring an extensive dialogue tree, combo system and much, much more!  
What the reviewers had to say about the PS3 version:  
“Anyone who likes swordfighting, the freedom of an open-world, and the opportunity to shape a story would be well-advised to pick it up.” – **Cheat Code Central**  
“You're free to do whatever you want… you're encouraged to play it over and over again and try different things each time. Again, I think this design is great.” – **IGN**  
“Multiple endings, tons of weapon customization and plenty of replay offer up a package that is a must buy for fans of the first two games.” - **ZTGD**

Release date: Mar 23, 2016

Categories: Action RPG, Open-World Exploration, Multiple Endings, Weapon Customization, Choice-based Narrative, Sword-based Combat

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: The Tourist; summary: The primary user complaints are about critical bugs (alt-tab crash and display glitch) that hinder basic usability, making this a Tier 4 issue focused on navigation and technical problems.
- Steam Deck: score 85; verdict: Broken; summary: The game suffers from crashing issues that are particularly severe during cutscenes and when reaching certain endings. There are also audio/video sync problems, controller UI mismatch (Xbox buttons displayed for all controllers), and a locked 30 FPS cap that can be circumvented with third-party tools. While some users have found workarounds (e.g., windowed mode, audio quality adjustments), these crashes still render the game unplayable for many. The overall experience is broken, justifying a high Friction score.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $3.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently indicate that the game is overpriced at its current $19.99 base price. Multiple users stress that the game should only be purchased on deep sale, with specific mentions of fair prices around $3-$4 USD. Even those who call it 'worth $20' immediately recommend waiting for a $3 sale, showing $20 is not the community's fair baseline. The most frequently cited acceptable price is very low ($3-$4), while $15 is seen as needing a further discount. Thus, the perceived fair base-game price range is between $3 and $10.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 3.0h
  - Story completion: 1.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews provide specific playtime durations for completing a playthrough or reaching an ending. The English review states main story completion in 1-2 hours, while multiple Chinese and Japanese reviews indicate a first playthrough of about 3 hours. The Spanish review suggests shorter sessions but is conflicting; the 3-hour figure is more consistent across several reviews. No reliable evidence for session length or endgame metrics.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Way of the Samurai 3 has a slow start with significant friction from lack of guidance, tedious running, and repetitive tasks, but becomes addictive once players learn the combat and understand the open world, though some never overcome the early boredom.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After encountering tutorial characters who teach the game
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Lack of guidance on combat and objectives; Tedious running between locations; Repetitive errands and jobs; Poor camera controls affecting combat; 30 FPS lock and animations tied to frame rate
  - Unlock drivers: Learning combat mechanics through tutorial characters; Understanding the open world and its secrets; Multiple playthroughs to grasp systems; Patience to endure initial repetitive tasks
  - Conditions: Solo play; Open-world exploration mindset; Willingness to tolerate repetition; Preference for freedom over linear progression
- Player Archetypes:
  - Completionist Grinder (sale)
    - Motivation: Completion and collection of all content, including all endings, moves, and items
    - Playstyle: Methodical, repetitive, goal-oriented, uses guides to exhaust all content across multiple playthroughs
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: completionist; achievement hunter; collector
    - Reference games: Way of the Samurai 4
  - Sandbox Roleplayer (sale)
    - Motivation: Narrative freedom and roleplay immersion in a sandbox world
    - Playstyle: Exploratory, decision-driven, non-linear, multiple playthroughs with emphasis on roleplaying and shaping the story
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: sandbox lover; roleplayer; open-world enthusiast
    - Reference games: Majora's Mask; Dead Rising
  - Technical Issue-Aware Veteran (no buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and desire for a complete, stable experience of a beloved series
    - Playstyle: Wants to play the complete, stable version but is blocked by frequent crashes and missing PLUS content; may seek workarounds or stick to original hardware
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: series veteran; nostalgic fan; quality-conscious
    - Reference games: Way of the Samurai 2; Way of the Samurai 4
  - Challenge-Seeker Combat Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Mastery of challenging combat and overcoming difficulty
    - Playstyle: Focused on mastering combat systems, learning tight parries and sword styles, and overcoming difficult encounters through practice and guides
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: hardcore gamer; combat enthusiast; difficulty enjoyer
    - Reference games: Sekiro


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Many branching endings (weight 0.49): Players highlight over 20 different endings with varied story paths and choices that significantly influence outcomes, encouraging replayability despite mixed execution.
- Extensive weapon variety (weight 0.35): There is a huge selection of weapons with different fighting styles, from dual blades to fish, along with the ability to craft and upgrade swords, providing vast combat options.
- Deep and customizable combat (weight 0.34): The combat system is praised for its depth, featuring multiple fighting styles, sword stances, weapon crafting, and satisfying mechanics like Hissatsu and Rensatsu, making it engaging and challenging.
- High freedom and open world (weight 0.23): The game offers exceptional freedom in an open world, where players can kill anyone, join factions, fish, and have choices that heavily impact the story, leading to high replayability.
- Extensive unlockables and customization (weight 0.19): Players can unlock many costumes, character models, accessories, and difficulties via Samurai Points, alongside deep weapon and character customization options.
- Hidden gem worth buying on sale (weight 0.14): Many consider the game a hidden gem that exceeds expectations, especially when purchased on sale or as cheap DLC, offering great value.
- Engaging story and atmosphere (weight 0.13): The game's atmosphere and story are reminiscent of classic samurai movies, providing an honorable and engaging narrative that resonates with players.
- Deep swordplay styles (weight 0.11): The combat system includes deep swordplay with multiple stances and techniques, allowing for varied and flashy combat experiences.
- Can play as any NPC (weight 0.06): The feature of being able to play as any non-player character defeated non-lethally adds to the game's unique freedom and replayability.

Common complaints:
- Frequent crashes and freezes (weight 0.72): The game crashes frequently, including during cutscenes, at the start, and when changing settings. Many users report the game becomes unplayable due to these issues.
- Poor port quality and optimization (weight 0.2): Many users complain about poor overall optimization and low port quality, with issues like crashes, bugs, and general roughness.
- Missing Plus version content (weight 0.14): Several users note the game is based on the standard version and lacks additional content from the Plus version, making it feel incomplete.
- Audio and music bugs (weight 0.14): Audio cuts out during movies, background music stops after one loop or overlaps, and sound effects may not play correctly.
- Poor keyboard and mouse controls (weight 0.11): Keyboard and mouse controls are poorly implemented, with a terrible default layout that makes the game difficult to play without a controller.
- AMD GPU specific crashes (weight 0.11): Users with AMD GPUs experience constant crashes, and fixes are often only provided for Nvidia hardware or PhysX, which is not applicable.
- Poor tutorials and confusing start (weight 0.1): The game does a poor job of explaining what to do, with badly explained tutorials that leave players confused at the start.

Gameplay feedback:
- Branching player-driven narrative (weight 0.29): The story is shaped by player decisions, with multiple branching paths, faction choices, and perspectives, leading to different storylines and endings.
- Varied sword combat styles (weight 0.24): Combat revolves around dozens of swords, each tied to unique fighting styles and stances, with techniques like parrying, throws, and jump attacks for dynamic encounters.
- Engaging open world (weight 0.18): The open world, though small, is carefully crafted with interconnected areas, characters, secrets, and quests that reward exploration and freedom of action.

Performance notes:
- Game fails to launch (weight 0.22): Many users report the game crashing to desktop immediately when starting, or freezing on the start screen.
- 30 FPS lock issues (weight 0.16): The game is locked at 30 FPS, which some find acceptable but others consider problematic if the cap is removed.
- PhysX driver fixes crashes (weight 0.1): Crashes are linked to specific PhysX versions; installing version 9.12.1031 or the legacy NVIDIA PhysX driver resolves the issue.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended by some (weight 0.23): A significant number of reviews give the game high praise, calling it a hidden gem, a must-play, or a 10/10 experience. These are often from players who enjoy its unique style.
- Buy PS3 version instead (weight 0.2): Many reviewers recommend buying the PS3 version or emulating the game over purchasing this PC port, as the PC version lacks content and has technical issues.
- Technical issues and crashes (weight 0.2): Frequent crashes, bugs, and performance issues are reported, with some players finding the game unplayable. Workarounds like windowed mode or third-party tools are suggested.
- Recommended for series fans (weight 0.19): The game is recommended primarily for fans of the Way of the Samurai series, samurai themes, or those who enjoy sandbox storytelling and multiple endings.
- Use guides and community help (weight 0.14): Due to the game's complexity and lack of modern conveniences, reviewers recommend using YouTube guides, community tips, and event flag guides to fully enjoy the game.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.31): The game suffers from severe technical issues, including constant crashes, freezes, and save file corruption, making it nearly unplayable for many. Poor performance, such as a 30 FPS cap, blurry visuals, and broken controls, compounds the problem. Gameplay design flaws, like a confusing skill system, unfair quests, and a clunky combat system, further add to the player's exasperation.
- Disappointment (weight 0.11): Players feel let down by persistent technical issues, such as crashes and unplayable black screens, which ruin an otherwise interesting premise. The port lacks promised features and content from the Plus version, and outdated graphics and poor guidance fail to meet expectations. Nostalgic purchases are soured by game-breaking bugs, especially for fans of the PS2 classic.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Despite technical flaws, players find the core game fun and atmospheric, with engaging characters and the classic 'Way of the Samurai' feel. The high freedom, meaningful choices, and deep combat with multiple endings provide an entertaining experience. Discovering the game's complex mechanics and experimenting with swords and paths brings satisfaction.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): The game's deep combat system, extensive weapon customization, and 28 different endings provide a satisfying sense of achievement and replayability. Players appreciate the strategic depth, including the option to complete the game without violence. Once past initial hurdles, the immersive samurai experience and rich narrative offer a rewarding journey.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players recognize the game's artistic and design merits, praising its clean combat, branching story, and reactive world inspired by classic samurai films. The depth of swordplay, narrative freedom, and action-based dialogue system are highlighted as standout features. The game is seen as a gem with soul and creativity, despite some lack of polish.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): The game evokes strong memories of classic titles from the 2000s, reminding players of their beloved PS2 originals and past adventures. It retains the astringent feel of earlier installments in the series, which was lost in later entries. Playing it on Steam brings back childhood memories and fond experiences with the franchise.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Players are thrilled by the game's deep combat system, unique samurai moves, and the ability to shape the world through many endings. The extensive player agency, parry mechanics, and instant kill mode generate high enthusiasm. Discovering the game's quality after years or finally experiencing Japanese language support fuels this excitement.
- Amusement (weight 0.04): The game's goofy humor, such as the absurd quest involving lost panties and a crow stealing them, provokes laughter. Players find the QTE afterimages laughably bad and enjoy the quirky DLC items and English voice acting in a Japanese setting. The system of kicking corpses for items and silly serious scenes add to the charming, humorous experience.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Players are furious that the game is knowingly released and remains broken, with crashes preventing any play despite various attempts. The removal of the Chinese language patch by an update, along with a high price for a lazy port, sparks outrage. The publisher's lack of care and prioritization of visual novels over fixing this series frustrates many.
- Love (weight 0.02): Despite technical limitations and outdated graphics, players deeply love the game for its charm, chaotic elements, and unique design. The open-ended world, combat, sword crafting, and countless endings captivate them. Even with bugs, the gameplay and customization create fond memories and lasting enjoyment on PC.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire how a smaller studio delivers a unique and deep experience, contrasting with AAA blandness, calling it the best samurai simulator ever. The game design philosophy, combat depth, and huge amount of content and replayability earn high praise. The persistence between playthroughs and depth of choices command respect.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): The game unexpectedly exceeds low expectations, offering a surprisingly deep and enjoyable experience for its size. Players who were unfamiliar with the title are amazed by the quality and depth found, surpassing initial doubts. It delivers a pleasant shock by being much better than anticipated.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): New players feel lost due to a confusing start, steep learning curve, and unclear direction at the beginning. The lack of a proper tutorial and explanation of deep mechanics leaves many unable to understand the game. Some cannot even proceed past the 'NEW GAME' screen without guidance.
- Resignation (weight 0.01): After encountering severe technical issues, players reluctantly recommend the PS3 version over the PC port, accepting the loss. They believe the developer will not fix the bugs, leading to a sense of defeat. The low price of the game provides some consolation, but overall, acceptance of the poor situation prevails.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Players are annoyed by bugs, repetitive menu music, and the 30 FPS lock on PC. The lack of Japanese audio despite store page promises and missing DLC features also irritate. Steam Deck incompatibility not being clearly indicated adds to the frustration with the port.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Discovering a hidden gem that greatly exceeds expectations brings joy, especially when combined with nostalgia and fun pervert costumes. The high degree of freedom and engaging gameplay create a delightful experience. Players find pure happiness in the game's unexpected quality and quirky elements.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players express thanks for the inclusion of Japanese language support and the game's availability on Steam, which they long desired. Even with issues, the core gameplay remains enjoyable, and the availability of cheap DLC is appreciated. This gratitude is felt despite the overall technical problems.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Players regret wasted time and money on a product made unplayable by bugs, souring an otherwise enjoyable game. They wish the game had appeared in recommendations sooner, as they missed out on playing it earlier. The technical problems turn a potentially good experience into a disappointing one.
- Desire (weight 0.01): Players strongly desire more content, wishing there was additional game to experience beyond the existing endings. There is a clear wish for a sequel to continue the series and build on its unique formula. This longing reflects how much the game's world and mechanics captivate them.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Despite the bugs, players hope the developer will fix the technical issues to let them fully enjoy the game. Many wish for a sequel with more resources, believing the concept deserves better execution. Some state they will repurchase the game if it works, showing optimism for improvements.}