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The hardest enemies are the zen masters, which are lightning fast stick-wielding fighters and are better left unprovoked.
![yojimbo samurai yojimbo samurai](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41k882pgxLL._QL70_ML2_.jpg)
Interestingly enough, they are usually true to their word and will sheath their swords after the first blow. Other tougher enemies will be antromorphic rhinos and rabbits, which will sometime ask Usagi for a first blood duel. Drawing also means Usagi will switch from neutral to aggressive stance, along with going from walking to running, which is also required to clear ravines and holes in the ground. Thus, memorization works best in knowing when it is the right time to draw the sword for an attack. On the road, the ronin will mostly encounter ninjas that, as the black-clad warriors are wont to do, hide in the shadows or on trees, waiting for the right moment to ambush Usagi. He will have to nod in order to salute people of higher status than him, otherwise they will get offended and attack. In order to restore it, our ronin must be respectful of the teachings of Buddha, obeying civic and social laws. First of all, the player must be wary of the “karma” score, Usagi will lose points and shall commit seppuku if the score gets negative. While at its core the gameplay resembles a classic arcade style sidescrolling beat’ em up, or maybe “slash em up”, Samurai Warrior‘s design does many things which modernise the experience beyond expectations. Nothing special plotwise, everything feels true to the episodic nature of the comic book, it is also possible to visit his house for a short “practice” session.
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It plays like a classic 2D beat ‘em up: the player manoeuvers Usagi, starting from his house and going on about his day. Released in 1988 for the Commodore 64, then ported to Zx Spectrum and Amstrad CPC, Samurai Warrior was published by Firebird and developed by Beam Software, which at the time was the trio of Doug Palmer, Paul Kidd (of Shadowrun fame) and Russel Comte, with Neil Brennan doing the music.