Comparison

Samurai Sam vs HOSHIKAGE

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Samurai Sam

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Welcome to Samurai Sam - a fast, skill-based mobile action game where you slash through skeleton hordes and progress through objective-based maps with permanent upgrades. Every run has a goal. Every victory makes your Samurai stronger. *Combat that feels amazing* Combo slashes with punchy hit feedback Dash to dodge, reposition, and keep the pressure Ranged attacks when you need space Perfect Parry: time it right and send enemy damage back into the crowd Special Attack to wipe chaos when you’re surrounded Smooth animations, impactful sound, and satisfying effects make every hit count. *Maps + Objectives* Progress through maps with clear objectives and wave milestones Complete the mission to unlock the next area Face tougher enemies as you push deeper *Permanent Skill Points* Your progress doesn’t disappear after a run: Complete a map → earn a Skill Point Permanently upgrade what you choose: Basic Attack / Special Attack / Ranged Attack / Max Health Build your Samurai your way and feel stronger run after run. *Friendlier Revives* A bad moment doesn’t have to end a great run - revives are designed to keep you in the action. *Perfect for quick sessions* Jump in for a few minutes… or chase “one more run.” Download Samurai Sam now. How far can you progress?

About

HOSHIKAGE

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Deflect. Break. Issen. Swipe up, down, left, or right to deflect incoming attacks and break your enemies’ stance. Then touch and hold to unleash Issen, cutting down all staggered enemies in a single strike. Feel the tension of deflecting attack after attack, then the thrill of a decisive counterstrike. Enjoy the clash of blades with simple swipes and holds. Enemies close in from both sides and coordinate their attacks to overwhelm you. One enemy strikes between the blows of another’s combo. Read each attack’s direction and timing, and deflect in rhythm. Chain deflections to spark Quickening, which helps you break your enemies’ stance. Turn successful deflections into an opening for Issen. Boss battles put your skills to the test. Two ways to play. STORY Beneath the moon, a swordswoman in white faces a mysterious figure in a fox mask. Without a single line of dialogue, their story unfolds through the way they fight and the gestures between clashes. See where their blades lead. ENDLESS How long can you survive against a wide variety of enemies? Chain deflections and chase a higher score.

Screenshots

Samurai Sam4 screens
HOSHIKAGE3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HOSHIKAGE at none against Samurai Sam's 9. HOSHIKAGE also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Samurai Sam sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. HOSHIKAGE asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Samurai Sam ships an update every 5 days, HOSHIKAGE every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Samurai Sam versus HOSHIKAGE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamurai SamHOSHIKAGE
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size393 MB81 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperOmer NahumTakashi Ohida

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Samurai Sam

One-time9
  • Pile of Gems$0.99
  • Gems Starter Pack$0.99
  • Gems Pro Pack$1.99
Show 6 more
  • Gems Champion Pack$3.99
  • Pouch of Gems$4.99
  • Box of Gems$9.99
  • Crate of Gems$19.99
  • Vault of Gems$49.99
  • Mountain of Gems$99.99
None

HOSHIKAGE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Samurai Sam free?
Samurai Sam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HOSHIKAGE free?
HOSHIKAGE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Samurai Sam or HOSHIKAGE have ads?
Samurai Sam shows ads; HOSHIKAGE does not.
Which is updated more often, Samurai Sam or HOSHIKAGE?
Samurai Sam ships an update every 5 days, and HOSHIKAGE every 3 days. Most recently, Samurai Sam was updated on November 8, 2026 and HOSHIKAGE on October 31, 2026.

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