Samurai Sam vs HOSHIKAGE
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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?
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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Samurai Sam sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. HOSHIKAGE asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | Samurai Sam | HOSHIKAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 393 MB | 81 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Omer Nahum | Takashi Ohida |
In-app purchases
Samurai Sam
- Pile of Gems$0.99
- Gems Starter Pack$0.99
- Gems Pro Pack$1.99
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- 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
HOSHIKAGE
No in-app purchases









