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If you want a samurai game beyond Ghost of Tsushima, start by deciding what you want to keep: demanding swordplay, an open-world setting, historical drama, or simply the chance to fight with a blade. These ten picks span action RPGs, a cinematic side-scroller, a fighting game, strategy, and sandbox role-play—so some are close alternatives, while others only share a setting or sword-focused play.
Best starting points: choose Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice for demanding, timing-based combat; Rise of the Ronin for open-world action; or Like a Dragon: Ishin! for a period drama with a samurai lead. The order below is an editorial guide by fit, not a universal ranking.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Rise of the Ronin - PlayStation 5 | $24.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Ghost of Tsushima - PlayStation 4 | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Sekiro Shadows Die Twice - PlayStation 4 | $77.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut - PlayStation 4 | $32.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Samurai Warriors 4 - PlayStation 4 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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How to choose a samurai game
“Samurai game” can mean a historically inspired action adventure, a supernatural action RPG, a duel-focused fighter, or even a strategy game about feudal Japan. Use the format and combat style as your first filters. If you specifically want a third-person open world, Rise of the Ronin is the clearest match in this list; if you mainly want sword combat, Sekiro is a strong adjacent pick, though its hero is a shinobi rather than a samurai.
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#1 Best Overall
- Haptic feedback: Feel the impact of combat as you clash blades and trade blows with haptic feedback through the DualSense wireless controller.
- Adaptive triggers: Experience the tension of your bow string and the click of your matchlock rifle’s trigger through the DualSense wireless controller’s adaptive triggers.
- Tempest 3D AudioTech: Become immersed in the sounds of Bakumatsu-era Japan – from the hustle and bustle of the capital’s streets to the tranquil sounds of nature as you traverse the landscape with 3D spatial audio.*
- Ultra high-speed SSD: Get straight to the heart of the action with the PlayStation5 console’s lightning-fast load times.
10 samurai games beyond Ghost of Tsushima
1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — for demanding, timing-focused sword combat
Sekiro is the pick if the part you want to carry over from Ghost of Tsushima is the intensity of a sword duel, not its open-world structure. Its combat rewards precise timing, and its official description centers on a shinobi protagonist and his fight for survival. That distinction matters: this is samurai-adjacent, not a game about playing a samurai. See the official Sekiro game page.
2. Nioh 2 — for supernatural action-RPG combat
Nioh 2 turns Sengoku-era Japan into a supernatural action-RPG setting. Its half-human, half-demon protagonist and fantasy threats make it a better fit for players who want elaborate combat systems and monsters than for those seeking grounded historical drama. It is not presented here as a direct open-world substitute for Ghost of Tsushima.
Rank #2
- Available Now - Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, a new cooperative multiplayer experience inspired by Japanese folk tales and mythology.
- Beyond war, ancient beauty endures: Uncover the hidden wonders of Tsushima in this open-world action adventure.
- The rise of the Ghost: Forge a new path and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
3. Nioh — for a supernatural story set in the early 1600s
The first Nioh is an action RPG set in the early 1600s, following William as he arrives in Japan and confronts supernatural dangers. It shares a Japanese historical backdrop and weapon-focused action with samurai adventures, but its fantasy conflict and RPG structure are the draw—not an expansive, Ghost-like exploration loop.
4. Rise of the Ronin — for open-world action in 19th-century Japan
Rise of the Ronin is the most direct choice here if open-world action is the feature you want. Set in 19th-century Japan, it follows a ronin and includes story choices that affect how events unfold. PlayStation identifies it as a PS5 game on its official US page; that is a platform statement for that page, not a guarantee of regional availability or other editions. Check PlayStation’s Rise of the Ronin page.
Rank #3
- Carve your own clever path to vengeance in an all-new adventure from developer fromsoftware
- Explore late 1500S sengoku Japan, a brutal period of constant life and death conflict, as you come face to face with larger than life foes in a dark and twisted world
- Take revenge. Restore your honor. Kill ingeniously
5. Like a Dragon: Ishin! — for period drama with eccentric detours
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a period action drama led by a sword-wielding protagonist. Its mix of serious story, swordplay, firearms, and the series’ characteristic comic diversions gives it a different rhythm from a solemn, continuous samurai adventure. Choose it for its historical-drama framing and tonal variety rather than for a close match in structure.
6. Trek to Yomi — for a linear, cinematic swordsman story
Trek to Yomi is a more focused, linear journey rather than an open world. Its monochrome presentation evokes early cinema, making the visual style a central part of the appeal. It suits players who want a compact, cinematic swordsman experience instead of a large map full of side activities.
Rank #4
- Beyond war, ancient beauty endures: Roam vast countryside and expansive terrain to encounter rich characters, discover ancient landmarks and uncover the hidden beauty of Tsushima.
- The rise of the Ghost: Seek support from old friends and new unlikely allies to reclaim Tsushima.
- Mud, Blood and steel: challenge opponents with your katana for an immersive Samurai combat experience
- Become legends together: play with friends or via online matchmaking in a series of two-player story missions or four-player wave-based survival missions in the legends online co-op
- A whole new island to explore: Travel to Iki Island to investigate rumors of a Mongol presence in a brand-new story with deeply personal stakes.
7. Way of the Samurai — for branching choices and a wandering ronin
Way of the Samurai is an older action-adventure RPG built around a wandering samurai and branching choices. Its age is part of the decision: it may appeal to players curious about earlier game design and role-play, but check platform support and availability for the specific entry you are considering before purchasing. The series should not be treated as a current-platform option without checking the individual release.
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8. Samurai Shodown — for weapon-based duels
Samurai Shodown is a fighting game, not a story-driven open-world adventure. It belongs on this list for players who want weapon-based one-on-one matches and care more about duels than exploration or a long narrative journey.
Best Value
- 55 New and Updated Characters- Nobuyuki Sanada and Yoshitsugu Otani join the fray, along with Takatora Todo, Naotora Ii and Munenori Yagyu previously only available in Japanese releases of SAMURAI WARRIORS.
- Disseminate the Enemy Ranks- Battles are more thrilling than ever with new maneuvers, additionally existing moves have all been powered up from their previous iterations
- New Battle Modes- Enhancements and newly implemented gameplay systems create a deeper and more satisfying combat experience
- Unfold the rich tapestry of the Warring States era- The Story Mode portrays the tales surrounding the battles by faction, deepening the relationships between characters and is separated into two parts, regional stories and the story of unification
- Leave a mark on history- In the new "Chronicle Mode" players discover the world of SAMURAI WARRIORS through their own design with more ways to customize than ever before including a vastly upgraded Create Character system
9. Total War: Shogun 2 — for strategy in feudal Japan
Total War: Shogun 2 shifts the perspective from an individual swordsman to the campaign map. You manage a clan, handle diplomacy, and command large-scale battles in feudal Japan. It is the strategy choice here, and a substantial genre change from third-person action.
10. Kenshi — for open-ended sandbox role-play
Kenshi is the outlier: an open-world sandbox RPG where players shape their own path. It is not a historical samurai story, so choose it only if emergent play and the possibility of sword-wielding characters matter more to you than a samurai setting or a scripted period adventure. View Kenshi on Steam.
Quick Recap
Which game should you play first?
- Want an open-world action adventure? Start with Rise of the Ronin.
- Want the toughest timing-focused sword combat? Try Sekiro, remembering that its protagonist is a shinobi.
- Want supernatural action RPGs? Choose between Nioh and Nioh 2.
- Want a period story with a samurai lead? Consider Like a Dragon: Ishin!.
- Want a shorter cinematic journey or branching role-play? Look at Trek to Yomi or Way of the Samurai.
- Want duels, strategy, or a sandbox instead of an action-adventure? Pick Samurai Shodown, Total War: Shogun 2, or Kenshi according to the genre you prefer.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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