Ghost of Tsushima
If we’re talking about swords, samurais, and Shoguns, Ghost Of Tsushima has everything. It’s an open-world playground where you can play a samurai in the battle against invading Mongols.
The story takes place in 1274 during the Kamakura Shogunate. The expansionist Mongol horde challenges the might of Japan’s united military. They move into Tsushima where Jin Sakai rules as the Samurai Lord.
Ghost of Tsushima was never meant to be a historically accurate account. Instead, it focuses on Jin’s inner demons. As he struggles to defend the island, making detours to pet fox guardians, he also walks the tightrope of Samurai honor.
The Shogun doesn't make an appearance here but he plays a major part in deploying the samurai forces. This all leads to a heroic defense of the precious island of Tsushima.
FX’s new Shogun TV series had us wanting more stories that take place during Japan’s Shogunate periods. In this list, we want to share our picks for the best games to play that will scratch that Shogun itch.
Sengoku Dynasty
There’s more to Shogun than swords. Sengoku Dynasty is set during Japan’s medieval age. This open-world RPG city-builder lets you create your idyllic Japanese village with a flourishing community.
It's a step back from the Shogunate politics. Instead of amassing an army of samurai, you can manage your village as a craftsman, warrior, or monk.
The game’s open world encourages players to explore the feudal lands of the era. The diverse biomes offer an array of resources. You can use these to improve your homestead or take better care of the villagers.
Currently available on Steam’s Early Access, the devs still have a lot of things to iron out. The more common complaints are the tedious grind and poor quality of life. Here’s hoping these get fixed before its full release.
Total War: Shogun 2
Put your military tactics to the test in this award-winning mix of turn-based strategy and real-time tactics. Total War: Shogun 2 is the perfect game if you’re looking to relive the epic, large-scale battles of 16th-century Japan.
This is the follow-up to the first-ever Total War game released in 2000, Shogun: Total War. It’s set during the chaotic Sengoku Jidai or Warring States period, the same period covered by the TV series.
If you’re obsessed with FX’s Shogun series, this is the ideal game to play. Turn power fantasy into reality by leading your armies to hell and back in the name of conquest and glory. By roleplaying as Shogun, you decide your army’s every move.
For many fans, this is the peak of Total War games. It will take a while to get used to the mechanics. But once you put two and two together, it’s a time-sink.
Samurai Warriors 5
—Xbox One —SwitchKoei Tecmo’s musou-style gameplay is a great way to roleplay as katana-wielding badasses. Forget strategy and let your instincts guide you to victory.
In Samurai Warriors 5, you’ll have hundreds of enemies to face and you’ll get that dopamine rush as you thin the hordes.
You can choose from 27 warriors from the Sengoku period. From the iconic Oda Nobunaga to the legendary Yasuke, the first black Samurai. Their skills allow you to decimate enemies in unique ways.
Yes, the campaign takes place during the Sengoku era…but it’s a mishmash of events designed more for fun than history. That, however, doesn’t take away the fun of its fast-paced action.
Sengoku Jidai: Shadow of the Shogun
Next is a little-known tabletop strategy game. Shadow of the Shogun pits you against massive armies in turn-based combat.
The game spans three interconnected stories during East Asia’s turbulent years. It focuses on three major events of that period: Japan’s warring states, its subsequent invasion of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, and the intervention by China’s Ming Dynasty.
This 16th-century warfare will have you lead armies, with their own set of military tactics. You can create ‘what if’ scenarios and decide on Asia’s future. The game tries to be as authentic as possible, taking into account historical military outfits of the period and region for accuracy.
It’s not as popular as other games in this list but Steam reviews are “Mostly Positive.”
NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence
— AndroidBefore Tokugawa’s reign, there was Nobunaga. Koei Tecmo celebrates its 30th Anniversary with the release of the definitive edition of Nobunaga’s Ambition.
Sphere Of Influence came out in 2015 and almost a decade later, players continue to revisit their favorite moments of Sengoku Jidai.
It’s another play on power fantasy as it raises you to the role of feudal lord, or Daimyo. Leading and marching your armies into the battlefield.
It may not have Ghost of Tsushima’s gameplay, but the tactics are as realistic as it gets.
Recreating the ‘Battle of Sekigahara’ in your own way allows you to explore different outcomes. James Clavell’s Shogun leads up to this same battle. That’s all the more reason for you to check this one out and witness History in the making.
Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun
There is more to war than on the field; wars are won in the shadows.
Master the art of espionage in this tactical strategy game. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun moves the fight for the Shogunate from the battlefield to the dark corners of the palace, in silence.
The Edo period is a time of great change. Command a band of five assassins and ensure the safety of the new Shogun. Rid Japan of conspiracies and rebellion in seemingly impossible stealth missions.
With its non-linear level design, there are dozens of ways to finish a mission. Blend in as a Geisha or jump from roof to roof. It encourages you to evaluate your surroundings and create your own ingenious ways of fulfilling objectives.
Trek to Yomi
PC —Switch —PS5 —PS4 —Xbox Series X —Xbox One
Let’s slow it down just a bit. The monochromatic visual style of Trek To Yomi reminds me of Akira Kurosawa’s films. Its black and white landscapes emanate a foreboding journey for our protagonist.
Trek To Yomi doesn’t put you in the front of a banzai charge. Instead, you play the role of the swordsman Hiroki on his quest for vengeance. His lust for revenge takes him to the land of the dead. Its gorgeous 2.5D visuals immerses us in a deep and supernatural narrative experience.
We journey with Hiroki as he confronts the evils of his past, with the help of his trusty blade. Trek to Yomi’s side-scrolling gameplay evokes a cinematic feel as silhouettes and shadows fill the screen.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
PC — PS5 — PS4 — Xbox Series X — Xbox One
Like A Dragon: Ishin! is very much like other Yakuza games. Except it doesn’t take place in modern Japan. Set during the Edo Period, we play as Sakamoto Ryoma, wielding a sword and gun.
Combat remains fresh yet familiar considering it’s a Remake of a 2014 classic. Switching between three fighting styles turns Ryoma into a one-man army. It is loosely based on his life, but developer RGG took a few liberties to fill in the gaps in his story.
Rise of Ronin
PS5
A fitting end to this list is the PS5 exclusive Rise of Ronin. This is the point in Japanese history when the Shogunate is at the tail end of its power. It sets the stage for the pivotal ‘Bakumatsu’ period, an end to isolationism, and the impending rise of the Meiji period. Rise of Ronin is the latest from Team Ninja’s growing list of action RPG titles like the NiOh series and Dead or Alive. Play as a masterless samurai caught between the ways of the past and the onslaught of ‘modern’ ways brought about by the West. This is an action-packed open-world RPG where you forge your own path amidst the many opposing factions. The game is set in three major areas: Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kyoto. You can even soar through the skies of these three major cities using an unlockable glider. It also includes historical figures like Sakamoto Ryoma and Commodore Matthew Perry. This Perry, not Chandler Bing.