Samurai Maiden is a zany action video game by Shade and D3 Publisher. Players control Tsumugi, a high schooler sent back in time to the Sengoku Era to take on a Demon Lord together with three other shinobi from different historic periods.
While far from being the hardest game out there, Samurai Maiden definitely has something of a learning curve, with some aspects of it presenting a reasonable challenge even to veterans of actions games. This list covers 10 top tips to help beginners to the game find their feet and master the mechanics of the game quickly and efficiently.
10 Heal Strategically
One fairly challenging mechanic of Samurai Maiden that has been the subject of some controversy is the game's healing system. To heal, players need to utilize Iyo's Ninja Skill, which commands her to whip out a healing pot that exudes a healing mist.
Then, players need to actually physically run over to and stand by the healing pot to replenish their HP. This process can take up to 10 seconds and, as such, healing is a power that needs to be used strategically. Time it poorly, and healing can simply leave Tsumugi and co vulnerable to enemy attack.
9 Players Should Pace Themselves Throughout Levels
While most of the levels in Samurai Maiden aren't especially long, players should be aware that they'll generally have a fixed amount of items for each stage that won't be replenished until they've completed it and moved onto the next one.
One exception to this is healing pots, which are refilled at checkpoints. Otherwise, though, Tsumugi and the gang need to make do with the amount of items they have at the start of each level. Using items sparingly is, therefore, crucial for more challenging stages in particular, as once they're gone, they're gone.
8 Upgrade Weapons/Amour As Soon As Possible
Plenty of Samurai Maiden's enemies and bosses pack a punch, and easily the most effective way to make combat more of an even playing field is for players to upgrade Tsumugi's gear as soon as they can.
Upgrades are made possible through use of the in-game currency, Inga. It's also possible to unlock new weapons by finding the treasure chests scattered throughout the various stages of the game. Regardless of which weapon players use, though, upgrading it will massively increase its base damage, which is vital for tackling Samurai Maiden's bosses as they scale in difficulty quite quickly.
7 Keep An Eye Out For Treasure Chests
As mentioned above, there are treasure chests scattered throughout Samurai Maiden's stages. These treasure chests contain upgrades to Tsumugi's gear, allow her to contain more of various items, concept art for the game, and more.
There are also different treasure chests available when the game is played harder difficulty modes, too. These chests contain even better gear and upgrades, which not only incentivizes replaying Samurai Maiden but also makes the associated increase in difficulty more manageable. While finding and opening treasure chests isn't really mandatory for completing the game's campaign, it definitely makes it a much more enjoyable, well-rounded experience.
6 Complete Allies' Optional Stages
Friendship is a core theme of the narrative of Samurai Maiden, and each of Tsumugi's companions has their own optional storyline that players can complete in tandem with the game's campaign.
These optional, additional stages are not only great for exposition, but they can also be a breath of fresh air from the intense, combat-heavy campaign. The so-called 'Friendship Stages' feature far more platforming than the base game and tend to be a good deal easier, too. Also, completing them gives each companion more bars for their special powers, making it a very worthwhile endeavor.
5 Use Checkpoints To Heal
As previously discussed, healing pots are something of a scarcity in Samurai Maiden. Players have a finite amount at the start of each level that can only be replenished at checkpoints.
However, checkpoints, when reached, will also heal Tsumugi and co. As such, players familiar with the flow of a particular level can plan around this and use their healing pots a little more liberally when they know a checkpoint is coming up. Checkpoints heal automatically and it doesn't cost anything to do so, so this trick is a great way to make it through more challenging levels alive.
4 Practice Makes Perfect
There's no getting around it - Samurai Maiden is a pretty challenging game at times. The intensity of the combat can be especially overwhelming for newcomers, so it's important for new players to make sure they really get to grips with the game's controls and mechanics.
In this sense, practice truly makes perfect. Players shouldn't shy away from experimenting with different attacks and powers and simply spending time getting used to the game and its controls. While doing so may seem a bit tedious at first, it absolutely pays dividends when the game starts to ramp up the difficulty.
3 Choose Allies For Their Abilities/Friendship Bonuses
Tsumugi is accompanied by three allies through the campaign of Samurai Maiden - Iyo, Hagane, and Komimi - and each of them have their own characteristics, special abilities, and friendship bonuses.
For example, Iyo allows Tsumugi to use items and to heal. The catch here is that Tsumugi can only have one ally with her on the battlefield at once. As such, players need to strategically choose which ally to have fighting with them and when. Iyo is often a shoo-in, as Tsumugi can't heal without her, but she might not always be the best choice for a particular enemy encounter or battle.
2 Devote Time To Narrative Exposition
Plenty of Samurai Maiden's storyline and character exposition unfolds in its optional side quests and secondary stages. While completing these stages isn't mandatory for finishing the game, it's vital if players want to get the most out of Samurai Maiden's story.
Not only does it allow Tsumugi and her companions' backstories to really shine through, but it also allows for all of the characters to form deeper bonds with one another. In short, there's plenty more to Samurai Maiden than meets the eye. In fact, there's even the possibility of pursuing Tsumugi's companions romantically, if players are interested in that.
1 Be Conscious Of Off-Screen Threats
One of the more challenging aspects of Samurai Maiden is that threats can truly come from all angles. Off-screen threats in particular can be a real issue, especially when Tsumugi and the gang are healing, which requires them to be stationary near a healing pot.
As such, players should be especially mindful of the possibility of off-screen dangers or threats at all times, especially when healing. Making sure not to be a sitting duck when a new wave of enemies is potentially about to charge in can easily make the difference between finishing a stage and dying.
Samurai Maiden is out now on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows.