The Spirit of the Samurai can be a harsh experience, and I’m not only referring to the terrifying things the undead can do to Chisai if they catch him. However, your knowledge can drastically improve your gameplay, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable. We’re here to help you seize control of the game and steer clear of potential traps.
We’ll guide you through everything from building Takeshi correctly to navigating the game’s unique mechanics, along with all the combat strategies you need to defeat any foes in your way. By following this advice, you’ll empower yourself to achieve victory and take down the undead horde once and for all.
Rebind Your Controls for Better Performance
The Spirit of the Samurai makes an unusual choice by defaulting your movement controls to the analog stick. Why is this an issue? In a game that already has some responsiveness concerns, you don’t want to aggravate it further. Analog controls can be a bit clumsy when managing a two-dimensional character. I highly recommend switching movement to the d-pad and using the left analog stick for item usage. Doing so will make your controls feel much more responsive.
For added context, the problem with analog sticks in 2D games lies in their travel distance. When you push an analog stick, it needs to move a certain distance before registering your input. In contrast, pressing a direction on the d-pad results in immediate character movement.
Short-Range Attacks Are Crucial
As you’re creating your attack sequences, observe that each move possesses specific attributes like power, range, and speed. While longer-range attacks might seem like the safer choice, you should definitely assign a short-range attack to one of your alternate sequences. The reason for this is the somewhat awkward hitboxes in The Spirit of the Samurai, which may cause you to swing past an enemy when you’re right in front of them.
This is especially true when facing shield-wielding samurai. I often found myself hitting their shield while trying to slash them from behind. One effective early short-range attack is the “Cross Stroke.” This strike targets directly in front of you, making it a great option to include in your attack sequences (I usually assign it to my combo that activates while guarding).
How to Choose Which Stats to Level Up
When deciding which stats to level up, consider these key points. In the early stages, focusing on dexterity is vital since your stamina will start off very low. Once stamina is no longer a major concern, prioritize strength, as dealing damage is consistently important. It’s wise to invest at least one point into strength with every level-up.
However, don’t overlook the other stats. Dexterity helps with positioning, while vitality allows you to absorb hits more effectively—both can be beneficial. Additionally, certain moves are tied to dexterity; you won’t be able to access these unless you’ve leveled up this stat sufficiently.
As for bow skills, they’re a bit tricky. The bow can be one of your most powerful weapons if you invest enough points, capable of taking out enemies quickly. However, keep in mind that there will be times when using it isn’t feasible, and trying to pull it out when an enemy is lunging at you can lead to trouble. Thus, I recommend focusing on bow skills only after you’ve built up enough strength, since your sword will always be a reliable weapon.
Tips for More Effective Parries
Although it’s satisfying to land a parry, I highly recommend that you don’t solely depend on this tactic. Often, rolling to evade an attack can be more effective. However, since you’ll be blocking frequently, trying for a parry while blocking can be beneficial, but don’t make it your only strategy.
To execute a parry, aim to press the guard button a moment before your opponent’s attack lands. Avoid smashing the guard button, as this will introduce too much delay and could lead to your defeat. Instead, focus on timing and hold the button; if you’re early, you’ll still successfully block.
Lure Enemies to You
When facing multiple enemies, it’s wise to draw them in one at a time. Even when you can’t spot any additional opponents, it’s still a good idea to lure them toward you. Why? Because of how the game stages are designed, you generally activate enemies as you reach specific areas of the stage, and your regular attack can push enemies forward.
For instance, if you’re engaging with a foe and recklessly attacking them, you might inadvertently push them further toward the right side of the stage. As you continue to pursue them, you may end up triggering more enemies to activate. Suddenly a simple one-on-one battle escalates into a chaotic struggle against five opponents. This is far from ideal. So, stay back, draw foes in one at a time, and finish the current enemy before proceeding.
Effective Use of Your Roll
Many players mention that The Spirit of the Samurai includes some elements reminiscent of Souls-like games, particularly regarding the roll mechanic. Indeed, you have access to a roll that grants temporary invincibility, which can be a game-changer against some of the toughest enemies. However, before you start rolling all over the battlefield, it’s important to understand the specifics of this invincibility.
Your roll is invincible from the moment you initiate it until it concludes. Thus, if you roll as an enemy attacks, you’ll slip past them unharmed. This method is often the best way to utilize the roll, allowing you to recover as the enemy is still busy with their attack. However, bear in mind that the roll doesn’t have an immediate recovery; you’ll be vulnerable for a moment after rolling. This vulnerability means you should avoid using the roll to escape enemies. If an enemy lunges at you just as your roll concludes, there’s a good chance you’ll get hit.
Of course, rolling away from slower enemies is feasible, but even then, sprinting might be a safer option. Essentially, never panic roll. Instead, use the roll to avoid an attack and immediately strike back while you’re behind them.
