Kamiwaza: Way of the Thief

Life is hard. That’s not a new concept, people have struggled for generations to find a space for themselves and their families that will allow them to live a peaceful life without struggle or worry. Sometimes, in order to find that quiet life, you need to steal from those who are more fortunate. Or, at least that’s what is suggested by Kamizawa: Way of the Thief.

Kamizawa: Way of the Thief is a narrative-focused stealth/action game where you play as an honorable thief, someone who has led a hard life and seeks to ease the struggle of others by taking from those who have too much. Most would call it stealing, but Ebizo, the protagonist of the game, would see it as wealth redistribution.

If you can get behind this story of tribulation and triumph set in ancient Japan, then here is everything you need to know about Kamizawa: Way of the Thief.

The Robin Hood of Japan

Kamizawa: Way of the Thief begins in the Edo period of Japan, a time when the disparity between rich and poor was at an all-time high. You play as Ebizo, an aspiring thief who has fallen in with an established gang to learn the ropes. Everything goes well until tragedy strikes one day, and Ebizo witnesses the men of his clan take the lives of innocent people. This is when his mentor, Ainosuke, sends Ebizo along with the only survivor of the attack to escape and start a new life for themselves.

Many years later, Ebizo still uses his skills as a thief, but for the right reasons. As the Robin Hood of Japan, Ebizo steals from the rich and gives that wealth to the poor to try to make their lives a little easier. However, not everyone appreciates his methods, and he is constantly on the run from the law as well as those he steals from…

Classic Stealth, Awesome Action

Over the years, Ebizo has collected a rather impressive set of skills that he uses in his heists. Get low to the ground and slither like a snake, or split jump in a close-quarters hallway to avoid detection. He’s not quite a Splinter Cell or Solid Snake, but he has plenty of moves to keep him safe.

But when the action heats up, he also has plenty of options to defend himself. Ebizo carries his loot in a round satchel that hangs around his neck. In a pinch, this sack can also be used offensively, swinging the heavy bag around to knock down foes and get away. If things get really dire, you can even throw the items that were collected at opponents, doing damage and repelling attackers.

Your Game, Your Choices

Over the course of the game, you will make decisions both in and out of missions that will determine the course of your story, and ultimately how it ends.

Pros

• Excellent stealth gameplay and combat
• Heartwarming story

Cons

• Can be completed in a few short hours