Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword

 3DS
Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 35 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Also known as Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword in the UK/EU. Skill meets style in this precision sword-fighting game. Leave button mashing behind. Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword is about precision swordplay, battlefield finesse, and martial-arts style. As the heroic title character, youllAlso known as Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword in the UK/EU. Skill meets style in this precision sword-fighting game. Leave button mashing behind. Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword is about precision swordplay, battlefield finesse, and martial-arts style. As the heroic title character, youll travel a world rife with cherry-blossom beautyand deadly dangerto rescue the legendary Princess Cherry Blossom. Her kidnapper has set dozens of blade-wielding henchmen in your path, and youll have to exercise your best battle senses to defeat them and save her. Learn to predict your foes moves, deftly dodge their attacks, and create opportunities for devastating counterattacks.

    Start with the Sakura Sword, a little health, and some basic training from your water-spirit guide. Make your way from battleground to battleground fighting wave after wave of increasingly cunning enemies. Fight through huge castles to duel epic bosses. And dont forget to stop at small villages along the way to get help, gear, encouragement (and distraction) from the quirky townsfolk.
    Prove that you truly are the Sakura Samurai!    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Nintendojo
    Feb 9, 2012
    91
    While it would have been nice to have a few more stages to clear before the final confrontation, it's hard to fault the game for not wanting it to end, especially when what is here is already so enjoyable. Anyone with a penchant for reflex-based gameplay (and a few digital bucks to spend) need look no further for their next eShop purchase.
  2. IGN
    Jan 31, 2012
    90
    Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword is a gorgeous game, and a brilliant addition to the 3DS library. The art style and music transport you to another world, and the combat is more than engaging.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Feb 13, 2012
    83
    The demanding play, when coupled with a look and feel reminiscent of The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker, makes Art Of The Sword into an upbeat, watered-down version of Dark Souls.
  4. Games Master UK
    Dec 18, 2012
    78
    It's just a shame that by the time you master it, the short three hour quest is up. [Jan 2013, p.83]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. 3DJuegos
    Oct 18, 2012
    75
    Better than expected, Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword shows that patience is a virtue. Wait your rival, dodge his attack and perform a counter-attack in a game that could have been even better if its repetitiveness and slow pace weren't a problem.
  6. Cubed3
    Nov 10, 2012
    70
    Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword, while not a must-have, is still a good addition to the growing library of the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Currently the game is available online for what may seem like a high cost of £6.29, but is worth buying for people who like challenging, timing-based combat and the overall style of the game.
  7. Eurogamer
    Aug 7, 2012
    40
    The saddest thing about Sakura Samurai is that the foundation is there for a much better game.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Tokyotripper
    Mar 26, 2012
    10
    This game is fantastic, tons of original content, great character design, twitch-gamer mechanics, all for $7. Highly recommended. Love allThis game is fantastic, tons of original content, great character design, twitch-gamer mechanics, all for $7. Highly recommended. Love all the small side games and little touches, its obvious the developers had a good time making this game and its a perfect portable game to play in bits and pieces. More please!… Expand
  2. IrishChai
    Jul 18, 2012
    10
    This was another huge surprise hit for me. After seeing many reviews and videos, I knew tons of other people gave it very high praise butThis was another huge surprise hit for me. After seeing many reviews and videos, I knew tons of other people gave it very high praise but something about the character style bothered me and it looked very shallow. I bought it anyway and was happy I gave it a chance because it turned out to be a lot more fun then it looked (to me at least). I enjoy traditional Japanese music, history, and culture so that played a small role in it, but I've had fun with it every play since. Someone compared it to the several chopping/slicing/swinging mini games available on the Wii. It's essentially that same idea with a decent variation of tricks and timing. I love it and I think most gamers should definitely give it a shot.… Expand
  4. raidendaigo
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    Near perfect portable game. I say near perfect because I wish the was a ronin mode where I could fight for ever and play dice. Love that skillNear perfect portable game. I say near perfect because I wish the was a ronin mode where I could fight for ever and play dice. Love that skill is involved in this game, and timing.Not a mindless hack and slash that I am sure annoyed lesser game players. Intuitive game play and a whimsical setting make this a welcome addition to any download library. I have been waiting for this game since seeing Yojimbo when I was nine.… Expand
  5. Wakanabi
    Feb 7, 2012
    9
    Best 3D eshop game yet! More fun than Mutant Mudd or Pushmo. I love the variety of minigames, the changes in enemies with different actions.Best 3D eshop game yet! More fun than Mutant Mudd or Pushmo. I love the variety of minigames, the changes in enemies with different actions. It requires quick reactions but also patience. Really does have the same spirit as Mike Tyson's Punchout on NES, one of my fave games of all time. Buy this now, you won't regret it! Only $6.99, I would pay $20 for this easy… Expand
  6. TechnicalGamer
    Mar 8, 2012
    9
    You get a lot of content here for $7. The main game can be completed in about 5 hours however you also get 30, 50, and 100 thug challenges forYou get a lot of content here for $7. The main game can be completed in about 5 hours however you also get 30, 50, and 100 thug challenges for each boss you defeat. There is a Rock Garden mode as well. This mode allows you to "dedicate" your daily steps count to the Sakura Trees in the garden. Doing so makes the trees bloom. Once the game is completed you can start over again in Expert mode. In this mode you only get 3 hearts and the baddies do 2x damage.

    Overall Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword is a great game, especially for $7. You will feel like you are a samurai when you get good enough at the game. The satisfaction of consecutively beating everyone down without even taking a hit is great. The art style and music fits it well and the extras are a nice touch. If you have a Nintendo 3DS then you should head to the EShop and Download this great deal today. See more info @: http://technicalgaming.blogspot.com/    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best 3DS Game of 2012
42
#42 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
44
#44 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012