Red Steel is a crime-themed shooter game where the player controls Scott Monroe as he fights against members of the Yakuza clans in both the USA and Japan. Scott's goal is to rescue his fiancée, who has been kidnapped.
The gameplay features sword duels and gun fights using the Wii Remote, allowing players to swing the controller like a sword and aim their weapons almost as they would a real gun. The positioning and movement actions of the Wii Remote also add to the immersion.
One of the unique aspects of Red Steel is its morality system. Players can choose to spare the lives of their enemies, which can lead to gaining allies in the future rather than more opponents if Scott is seen as dishonorable.
The player's ultimate goal is to uncover the reasons behind his fiancée's kidnapping and gain allies to help him on his mission.