SAMURAI WARRIORS 4-II

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,172 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
SAMURAI WARRIORS 4-II Game Cover
Samurai Warriors 4-II is an excellent addition to the Warriors franchise, but could have done with a bit more change to differentiate itself from its predecessor.
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"Samurai Warriors 4-II" is the enhanced anniversary edition of the series, now on Steam. It features a new playable character, Naomasa Ii, and a story mode that delves deeper into individual characters. The fan-favorite "Survival Mode" also makes a return, now updated and improved. The game also features upgraded action balance, cut-scenes, and character development systems for a fresh take on the "Samurai Warriors 4" world.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,172 reviews
story102 positive mentions
stability26 negative mentions
  • The game features a large roster of characters, each with unique abilities and playstyles, making combat diverse and engaging.
  • The addition of online multiplayer and the ability to switch between two characters during battles enhances the gameplay experience.
  • The soundtrack is enjoyable and fits well with the game's theme, adding to the overall atmosphere.
  • The PC port suffers from poor controller support, with many users experiencing issues with button mapping and camera controls.
  • The graphics are subpar, using PS3 textures instead of taking full advantage of modern PC capabilities.
  • The story mode is considered shallow and repetitive, with many missions feeling similar and lacking depth.
  • story605 mentions

    The story mode in Samurai Warriors 4-II features 13 character-driven campaigns, each with a limited number of missions, focusing on individual characters rather than broader faction narratives. While some players appreciate the character interactions and the modern graphics, many criticize the fragmented storytelling, lack of depth, and repetitive mission structure, leading to a feeling of dissatisfaction, especially for those seeking a cohesive plot. Additionally, technical issues such as crashes during missions detract from the overall experience, leaving some players frustrated with the execution of the story mode.

    • “The storyline campaigns are separated between the clans and follow the path of each one throughout the narrative, with some being interconnected. Additionally, there are alternative campaign scenarios that can be experienced after being unlocked.”
    • “I enjoyed the vast majority of the new characters; the story mode featuring every single one of them is quite long and complete. The extra mode is fun, and there's nothing to really argue about here.”
    • “The story mode is divided into chronicles, which feature one or more main characters along with some others that you can choose in each scenario.”
    • “The game's honestly not even a good introduction to Samurai Warriors - the story is very fragmented and less than half of the cast is used in story mode.”
    • “Most importantly: the story is ruined by cringey anime characters.”
    • “There is only 13 small side scenarios and since I mainly play for the story, the game feels very hollow.”
  • graphics207 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the use of outdated PS3-level visuals despite being on a modern platform. Critics highlight that the graphics feel dated, often resembling those from the PS2 era, and lament the lack of significant improvements or customization options for PC users. However, some players appreciate the overall aesthetic and character models, noting that while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they still provide an enjoyable experience within the context of the game's action-packed gameplay.

    • “For the age of the game, the graphics are pretty good; they have aged really well.”
    • “This game has some quality cutscenes, great stories, awesome visuals, and it never gets old, such a good challenge!”
    • “Graphics: 8/10, I think this one is by far the best looking Dynasty/Samurai game to date, even runs 10x better than a Steam port.”
    • “The graphics also use PS3 graphics, which is very disappointing.”
    • “They wasted the potential of PC graphics by just locking it on older graphics.”
    • “The graphics look like they're from the PS3 generation instead of PS4.”
  • gameplay207 mentions

    The gameplay in Samurai Warriors 4-II is widely praised for its fluid mechanics and engaging hack-and-slash action, often considered the best in the series. While many players enjoy the dynamic combat and character variety, some express concerns about repetitive gameplay and the absence of a traditional story mode, which may detract from the experience for those seeking narrative depth. Overall, the game offers a solid gameplay experience, though it is marred by performance issues and controller compatibility problems.

    • “The gameplay is the best I've seen so far out of warriors games.”
    • “Gameplay is easily the best the series has ever seen.”
    • “If you enjoy the core gameplay enough, you will find many, many hours to spend here.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay is absolutely hamstrung by horrific controller support.”
    • “The graphics and gameplay are absolutely horrendous.”
    • “Parading through ill-thought-out missions and repetitive gameplay.”
  • music84 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive traditional Japanese influences and epic orchestral themes, enhancing the overall atmosphere during battles. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with memorable and emotionally resonant tracks that fit the game's theme well, although some note that certain remixed DLC tracks may not be as strong. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a notable aspect of the experience.

    • “Moreover, there is a good selection of traditional music that accompanies the battles in each zone, making the overall atmosphere feel immersive. Overall, it is a great title and possibly the best of the Samurai Warriors series.”
    • “The music is fun and appropriate, with some traditional Japanese influences.”
    • “Music is fantastic and doesn't get badly repetitive like in other Koei titles; it's Japanese stuff, not random heavy guitars in the background.”
    • “Shallow hack and slash with terrible controls and camera angle, PS2 era graphics, annoying music, terrible UI; the port is worse than Dark Souls (can't alt-tab, can't change volume).”
    • “Oh, that voice in the music... it started being annoying after a couple of minutes in the menu and turns into a nightmare in 10 minutes of upgrading weapons and leveling up characters.”
    • “That said, even the music feels watered down compared to SW1.”
  • optimization34 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering and frame drops, particularly on lower-end systems. However, others have noted that the game runs smoothly on high settings despite the graphical demands, indicating that it may be better optimized than previous titles in the series. Overall, while there are optimization concerns, many players still find the gameplay enjoyable.

    • “Really surprised me that it runs smoothly on highest settings even with this amount of enemies and big maps.”
    • “To start off, Samurai Warriors 4 II runs decently on my PC and considering I don’t have the best rig around, that means at the very least the game was optimized decently and has probably gotten patches since it first went up on the Steam store.”
    • “Right now the best Warriors game on Steam, much more optimized compared to Dynasty Warriors 8 and the gameplay is much more fun compared to the already thrilling Dynasty Warriors.”
    • “Optimization does not exist here.”
    • “- Stuttering - I'm running an i7 4790k, 32GB RAM (work not gaming related), and a GTX 1080 (gaming not work related this time), and the game still stutters at random moments.”
    • “- Poor optimization/framedrops down to 18 when loading certain parts of various maps (playing max settings with a FX-8370/GTX 970 combo).”
  • stability30 mentions

    The game's stability is severely compromised, with frequent crashes, freezes, and bugs, particularly in co-op modes where players often encounter unresolvable issues. Split-screen functionality is notably problematic, as player controls interfere with each other, making it nearly unplayable. While the game runs at a stable frame rate, the overall experience is marred by persistent technical issues that detract from enjoyment.

    • “It runs great at 60 fps, so if you're on the fence about buying this after Koei's last port, have no fear because this port is good.”
    • “This game crashes and freezes all the time!”
    • “Online co-op is not functional, crashes and freezes all the time.”
    • “This game freezes on random missions, and 50% of the time you can figure out a weird workaround like changing p2's character, or doing missions in a different order, but sometimes that is impossible, or simply doesn't help, and you can't pass a mission on network co-op, period.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be extensive and time-consuming, particularly for weapon and mount collection, character leveling, and achievement completion. Many report spending over 50 hours just to scratch the surface of deeper content, with some characters requiring significantly more effort to level up due to uneven skill availability. While some enjoy the grind for skills and weapons, others find it tedious, suggesting that potential players should consider their tolerance for grinding before diving in.

    • “Earning the last three achievements involves grinding every character to level 30 and purchasing all skills, and performing some obscure requirements to get their unique weapon.”
    • “Game requires a lot of grinding for achievements and unlocking all epiphany skills, so it can easily clock up several hours if you enjoy it.”
    • “Getting all characters to the full upgrade tree would probably take a couple of months of grinding on various maps.”
  • character development20 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the skill customization and find the character designs visually appealing, others criticize the writing and overall depth, describing it as lacking and reminiscent of poor fan fiction. Despite its focus on character, many feel it falls short in meaningful development, with some designs being seen as flamboyant yet uninspired. Overall, the game appeals to fans of the genre but may disappoint those seeking substantial character growth.

    • “Recommend for all musou games fans, and anyone who wants a good action game with character development and skill customization.”
    • “As we know, all Koei 'Samurai Warriors + Dynasty Warriors' games are fast and entertaining, featuring hack and slash gameplay with character development into weapons and other interesting elements that make it fun.”
    • “The character development is, in a word, beautiful.”
    • “Mechanically, the game is a pretty solid warriors game, but the character design and writing have continued their slow degeneration into exceedingly bad fan-fic.”
    • “It feels inferior in quality and despite being character focused, it lacks character development.”
    • “The character designs are flamboyant, awkward, and uninspired.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to a variety of selectable characters and diverse play styles, which contribute to engaging storylines. However, some users feel that it lacks sufficient content compared to other games in the same price range, suggesting that it may not meet the expectations of completionists. Overall, while replay value is noted as significant, there is a call for more characters and richer narratives to enhance the experience.

    • “High replay value and decently long storylines with quite a lot of characters.”
    • “- High replay value”
    • “If you compare this to practically any other game for $50, this will be the weaker game by far in terms of content and replayability.”
    • “The amount of selectable characters and different weapon/play styles means the replay value is huge (also a nightmare for completionists).”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in "Samurai Warriors II-2" is characterized by its cartoonish violence, allowing players to enjoy exaggerated defeats without guilt. The game features amusing storylines that add depth to the humor, particularly highlighting characters like Magoichi Saika in a comedic light. Overall, players can expect a blend of laughter and action as they engage with the game's historical context.

    • “The cartoonish violence means you can cheer for defeat without remorse—because it's all hilariously exaggerated, darling!”
    • “After all, once you dive into Samurai Warriors II-2, you’ll be swinging swords and laughing your way through history in no time.”
    • “Some of the storylines are actually pretty good though and provide some legitimate humor; they make Magoichi Saika look like such a tool.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, featuring some genuinely touching moments amidst a backdrop of a convoluted and often cheesy narrative. While the battle system is praised for its complexity, the attempts to evoke emotional responses through the story are frequently undermined by its lack of coherence and depth. Overall, players experience both poignant scenes and cringe-worthy storytelling.

    • “Believe it or not, there are some rather touching moments that will have you reaching for a handkerchief.”
    • “Each faction's story takes what it considers historically canon in one narrative and butchers it in the other, often to elicit an emotional response from the player.”
    • “The story is boring and fails to engage emotionally.”
    • “Despite the battle system being more complex and playable than Dynasty Warriors, the story remains dull and uninspiring.”
    • “The emotional aspect is lacking due to the boring storyline.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by a selection of traditional music that complements the battles. Reviewers also highlight the beautiful graphics and well-designed battlefields, contributing to a captivating overall experience, positioning it as a standout title in the Samurai Warriors series.

    • “Moreover, there is a good selection of traditional music that accompanies the battles in each zone, making the overall atmosphere feel immersive. Overall, it is a great title and possibly the best of the Samurai Warriors series.”
    • “Kind of beautiful graphics (at least for Koei) and great battlefields, locations, and atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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