Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword



Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword (Nimble Sakura Samurai in Japan) is a sword fighting game released exclusively on the Nintendo eShop. It was released February 2, 2012 in North America.

Gameplay
The player controls a young male samurai, known as Sakura Samurai, tasked with saving Princess Cherry Blossom, the daughter of the gods who has been taken away from the people by an evil force. To bring her back and restore peace, the player must battle their way across the map, defeating several menacing bosses along the way.

Sakura Samurai is described as being a sword fighting action game that is simple to play, using the A Button to attack, and the B Button combined with the Circle Pad to dodge. The secret of Lai is not reckless swinging, but rather one well-timed, swift attack. Aim for openings in the enemy’s guard–in the instant after an attack has been dodged, or just before the enemy swings.

Reception
The game has received positive reception. Ian Bonds of Destructoid gave it a 90, saying "From its simple story yet compelling tactical gameplay to its gorgeous graphics and controls, I was hooked. This is possibly one of the best downloadable titles on the eShop, one that will draw players in with its ever-increasing depth. A must have!"

IGN called it the best thing to hit the eShop since Pushmo, and added "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."

Nintendo Life gave it an 80 stating "[It] may not be the prettiest game on the eShop but it sure is one of the most challenging, striking a good balance between difficulty and precision." GameSpot gave it a 75, saying "Great swordplay carries the weight in Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword."

Nintendo World Report gave it a 65, stating "If you can get over the repetition, Sakura Samurai is a worthwhile experience. However, with the onslaught of better games on the eShop, you're not missing too much if you skip it." 1UP was somewhat critical of it, saying "The repetitive grinding stretches a cool combat concept thin, and harshly takes away any feeling of accomplishment. It's a shame that the harsh penalties feel so unbalanced, transforming Sakura from a visually charming adventure into a repetitive and often unfair endurance run."