Sakura Wars

An engaging tale full of twists and turns, with an interesting way of interacting with the narrative. If you can handle the slow pace and stomach the perverse moments, you'll find a stylish adventure with one of the best soundtracks of the year.

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In "Sakura Wars: Digital Deluxe Edition," players step into the role of Captain Kamiyama, leading the Imperial Combat Revue to defend Tokyo against demons while also managing their theater performances. The LIPS dialogue system impacts relationships, which in turn affect the outcome of action-packed, steam-powered mecha battles. This game boasts stunning anime production values, complete with animated sequences, a captivating soundtrack, and character designs from renowned anime and JRPG artists. The edition also includes a Dynamic Theme and Neko Ears DLC.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

story3 positive mentions

The game features a charming blend of visual novel elements and action gameplay, appealing to fans of both genres.
It has beautiful graphics and a captivating story, enhanced by a great soundtrack and engaging characters.
The game is well-received for its humor and slice-of-life moments, making it enjoyable for fans of comedic anime.

Some players have reported issues with the physical condition of the game upon arrival, such as damaged cases or re-packaged items.
The combat system is considered too simplistic and lacks depth, which may disappoint those looking for more challenging gameplay.
There are warnings about region-specific versions affecting downloadable content access, which can mislead buyers.

gameplay
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a blend of visual novel elements and a simplified hack-and-slash style, with combat making up only about 40% of the experience. The remaining gameplay focuses on exploration, dialogue, and collecting items, leading some reviewers to categorize it as a harem-style visual novel with light action mechanics. While visually appealing, the combat lacks depth and complexity compared to other titles in the genre.
- “The game is a pleasure for the eyes thanks to its incredibly clean graphic style, and it combines elements of a visual novel with a pleasant, if not too deep, warriors-style gameplay.”
- “I would define the game as 'a harem-style visual novel with a secondary musou-style combat gameplay.'”
- “If you are someone who was interested in the title for its action gameplay, the truth is that there are better titles out there with better mechanics and obviously, more playable content.”
- “I'm not sure which genre Sakura Wars fits into, as its gameplay is a mix of musou and hack and slash, but it lacks many enemies on screen and there are no complex combos or difficult moves to master. Additionally, that gameplay only makes up about 40% of the game... the other 60% consists of walking through a theater, talking to attractive girls, reading, courting attractive girls, walking through small stages, searching for collectibles, and watching attractive girls.”
- “I would define the game as 'a harem-style visual novel with a secondary combat gameplay reminiscent of musou.'”
- “If you were interested in the title for its action gameplay, the truth is that there are better titles out there with better mechanics and obviously, more playable content.”
story
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its captivating narrative, beautiful artwork, and engaging characters, enhanced by impressive cut scenes and a top-notch soundtrack. However, some players feel that the lack of character progression and occasional pacing issues detract from the overall experience.
- “The game looks great with some amazing artwork, has a lot of great cut scenes, and a pretty good story.”
- “Amazing game and beautiful characters to interact with; the story was awesome.”
- “Captivating story and game world that grow on you over time, with a wide variety of likeable characters, top-notch soundtrack, and anime visuals.”
- “The lack of character progression and customization makes it less fulfilling; the beat 'em up segments are too simple, and the story drags at parts.”
music
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, featuring a top-notch soundtrack that enhances the stylish adventure and captivating story. While the pacing may be slow and some moments may be unsettling, the overall audio experience is considered one of the best of the year, complementing the game's anime visuals and diverse characters.
- “If you can handle the slow pace and stomach the perverse moments, you'll find a stylish adventure with one of the best soundtracks of the year.”
- “Captivating story and game world that grow on you over time, wide variety of likeable characters, top-notch soundtrack and anime visuals.”
graphics
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are highly praised for their stunning artwork and anime visuals, complemented by impressive cut scenes that enhance the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the captivating game world and character designs, which contribute to an engaging overall aesthetic.
- “The game looks great with some amazing artwork, has a lot of great cut scenes, and a pretty good story.”
- “Captivating story and game world that grow on you over time, wide variety of likable characters, top-notch soundtrack, and anime visuals.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is enhanced by its action-based battle system and diverse character designs, allowing players to engage deeply with the characters. However, the experience is limited to Japanese audio only, which may affect accessibility for some players. As a PlayStation exclusive, it offers a unique mecha-themed narrative that adds to its appeal.