Japanese game publisher Spike announced today that Way of the Samurai 4, latest in the long-running series of open-world samurai action games, is in the works. The Acquire-developed game, which so far is exclusive to the PlayStation 3, is due to come out this winter in Japan.
The fourth game in the series will overall take its cues from the first one, released for the PS2 back in 2002. As before, you are a wandering samurai that’s just popped into town for a few days, and the story branches and shifts depending on which of the local factions you decide to support. This game is set in the fictional port town of Amihama in 1855, two years after Japan was forced by the US to reopen its borders to full foreign trade. You must choose whether to side with the pro-government forces, the rebel samurai seeking to expel the foreigners, or the British navy stationed in Amihama that’s trying to sign a peace treaty with Japan.
Acquire is promising that Way of the Samurai 4’s story will be a great deal longer than its predecessors, but otherwise you can expect all the series hallmarks: flashy sword action; a fully customizable character (including your choice of ages); a large amount of freedom in your repertoire of katana skills; and a variety of silly side scenes, including one nighttime sex scene suggested in the screenshots Spike released.
