Following the path of the first two games in the series, Way of the Samurai 3 is an action-oriented adventure of mortal combat and moral choices. As in the original, the player takes the role of a hugely influential character in a larger story, whose personal choices and actions, and even inactions, can steer the plot toward any of more than 15 different possible endings. Battle is central to the play of the game, with a variety of fighting styles and combo maneuvers for close combat, often against multiple enemies at once. Strong elements of story-based role-playing, including robust dialog trees, complex diplomatic option, and reputation rewards, also emphasize the player's influence over the way the warrior's tale plays out. As the story develops, the player's character can gradually make a name for himself as a noble protector, a fearsome bandit, or a mysterious, aloof wanderer. A weapon customization system is built into the adventure, as players can collect hundreds of different parts hidden throughout the game world and use them to assemble specialized armaments. As were the first two games in the Way of the Samurai series, the third adventure is presented with unflinching depictions of violent combat, and without any sentimental game world advantages toward one moral decision over another.