Another day, another Isekai. Video Games have been no stranger to the term “Isekai,” which means to get transported to another world. A large number of animes follow this from Re:Zero to Log Horizon to Sword Art Online. Samurai Maiden, from D3 Publisher and Shade Inc, relishes in this. When a modern-day high school girl gets swept up to fight in the Sengoku Period, she wields her sword, and her phone, to defeat the Demon King as The Princess of Harmony. Every battle brings her closer to her goal, but also, brings her closer to the feelings of her allies.
Samurai Maiden is the latest offering from the house that made the Earth Defense Force Games. Sharp, absurd, and enjoyable, the game has a solid story and fun combat. It’s a colorful game, reminiscent of the Senran Kagura games, but is held back by some design choices that keep it from greatness.
A Battle in Another Age
Tsumugi is just your average everyday high school girl with the road ahead of her, but no real future to shoot for. A mysterious voice and a bright flash transport Tsumugi right into the frying pan of a heated battle. Around her are demonic armies and a temple being set aflame. Frightened, she is suddenly surprised by the appearance of three legendary warriors. Iyo is a swift ninja, quick with a kunai and planting traps. Hagane is a human, turned cyborg-warrior with an energetic, powerful hand. Komimi is a kitsune whose cute appearance deceives the fact that she wields a mighty mallet.
The trio comes across the legendary warrior Nobunaga Oda. It is revealed that the team is atop Honnō-ji, a temple with a gateway that leads directly into Hell. Tsumugi and her squad were called to this world for a reason, to assist the Princess of Harmony and destroy the Demon King. With the Demon King being resurrected from the bowels of the underworld, the team sets off to fulfill this prophecy. Using her knowledge, her father’s sword training, and her phone, Tsumugi reluctantly embarks on her journey. As the journey continues, skills and strength aren’t the only things that grow from this hellish journey; love can bloom.
The Sword is Everything
Samurai Maiden is a yuri-focused action hack-n-slash action game. The goal of each level is to eliminate all enemies while platforming across each zone. Samurai Maiden tells its story through visual-novel-style cutscenes. The characters are acted through Japanese voiceovers with English subtitles. Missions go by chapter. Players are accompanied by a trio of warriors on each mission. Each mission focuses on two goals: navigate the environment and destroy every enemy.
In combat, players control Tsumigi. As a hack-N-slash, the player uses their magically-infused demon sword to kill and slay the hordes of monsters in each level. Tsumugi is accompanied by her new friends each step of the way. Fighting enemies builds up a blue meter; when that meter is filled, players can quickly deploy an attack from one of the three heroes. Iyo throws her explosive kunai and deploys traps. Hagane deploys and electrifies enemies with her cybernetic arm. Komimi smashes enemies with an ice-infused hammer. Each hero accompanies you on each mission, giving players more fighting capability.
Love Conquers All Evil
A significant component of Samurai Maiden is romance. Tsumugi, along with Iyo, Hagane and Komimi develop feelings for each other over the course of the journey. After every chapter, the relationship levels of each character grow. Reaching a certain level unlocks a special menu on Tsumugi’s phone. Each level tier hit allows for a new combat technique to be unlocked. These techniques are accompanied by a cutscene between Tsumugi and one of the three warriors. The bigger the relationship, the more can be unlocked. Additionally, souls are used as currency and are used to enhance weapons and purchase new attire.
Samurai Maiden succeeds with its combat but drags with its storytelling. Cutscenes are done in a visual-novel style. At the beginning of the game, this method of storytelling grinds the experience almost to a halt. Additionally, missions are incredibly short. The first opening hour or so is in this fashion and can make the beginning moments a slog to get through. Samurai Maiden would have benefitted greatly if the game was told with more traditional cutscenes or even anime-styled cutscenes. The lack of an English Dub isn’t a problem but it can turn some players off for those that want a more straightforward experience.
A Story With a Big Heart
There are positives to the storytelling of Samurai Maiden. The unique setup the characters find themselves in is interesting. As someone more than familiar with the Isekai genre, this is one that does its job and entertains. There were a few moments that had me laughing and had me interested in the other character’s stories. Tsumugi uses her phone to capture memories and learn techniques, even taking selfies with her new friends, even as her outfit is torn and worn from the fighting. The story has heart and that is a good thing. By the end, players will come to care for the characters as their personalities and interaction are hard to ignore.
The combat is where there is a satisfying time to be had. Samurai Maiden starts off with basic attacks but as the game comes along, there are many more attacks to unlock that make for satisfying action; simple strikes make way for powerful ground slams and heavy swings. Using Tsumugi’s abilities, as well as the abilities of the team, are satisfying. Samurai Maiden isn’t afraid to provide a challenge. Some enemies are far tougher than others, putting players to the test to use quick reflexes and skill. There’s some strategy to the combat as well, making every significant victory feel satisfying.
Looking Good When Everything is a Mess
Samurai Maiden sports all the visual appearances that one would come to expect from an anime-inspired game like this. The characters look sharp and the fighting effects are neat, even as the environments leave plenty to be desired. The enemy designs appear generic but the boss fights are a highlight of enjoyment.
The star of the show is clearly the front-leading woman and her allies and the game goes out of its way to highlight them. Unlike Senran Kagura, the game doesn’t go hard into mature themes. There are “jiggle physics” and women expressing love for each other, but nothing on the absurdity of Senran Kagura. Perhaps, the game doesn’t need a mature direction. At its heart, it’s a warm and friendly story. A tale of a Gen Z woman showing up in ancient history still being her regular self despite being a destined prodigy. It’s heartwarming and action-packed.
If Samurai Maiden leaned more heavily into combat and had better guidance regarding the story, the game would definitely be one of the great ones. As it stands, Samurai Maiden is a solid action game with beautiful warriors. Even with its flaws, there’s plenty of good game to be had here. There’s a strong, fascinating story of newfound friendship and love with a familiar but enjoyable combat mechanic.
Samurai Maiden is a solid journey of swords and love. Remember to stay as beautiful as a cherry blossom and as deadly as a samurai.
Samurai Maiden was reviewed on the PlayStation 5 thanks to a key generously supplied to by Marooners’ Rock by ONEPR STUDIO.
