Samurai Warriors 5

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 983 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Samurai Warriors 5 Game Cover
Samurai Warriors 5 is a beautiful looking hack-and-slash game with a great story loosely based on historical events and characters. Add in a crazy amount of customisation and replayability this is a must-play title!
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Samurai Warriors 5 takes players back in time to the Sengoku era, featuring new visuals and gameplay mechanics. The game includes 27 playable samurai warriors, with a focus on historical figures Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi. Experience large-scale battles, forge alliances, and build your legend across multiple game modes.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 983 reviews
story144 positive mentions
grinding51 negative mentions
  • The game features a beautiful new art style that enhances the overall visual experience.
  • The combat mechanics are fluid and satisfying, with new ultimate skills adding depth to gameplay.
  • The story focuses on Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, providing a more character-driven narrative that is engaging and well-presented.
  • The character roster is significantly reduced, leading to many characters sharing similar movesets, which diminishes uniqueness.
  • Citadel mode is repetitive and grindy, lacking the engaging content found in previous titles.
  • There is no English dub, making it difficult for some players to follow the story during intense gameplay.
  • story691 mentions

    The story of "Samurai Warriors 5" focuses primarily on the lives of Oda Nobunaga and Akechi Mitsuhide, providing a more intimate narrative that explores their character development and relationships. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and character arcs, others criticize the limited scope, repetitive missions, and lack of historical accuracy, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall execution and engagement. Despite its flaws, many fans find the storytelling and art style compelling, making it a noteworthy entry in the franchise.

    • “I do really appreciate the new ways Koei have tried to tell the story of Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, and I definitely recognize the care in designing a more coherent, more full story experience from start to finish.”
    • “Sw5 tells two tales, the growth of a young, ambitious warlord into a ruthless (but albeit not unfeeling) conqueror jaded by loss and hardened by the chaos of the time, and the story of an honorable warrior's struggle to uphold his lifelong principles as they are subverted, and challenged at every turn throughout his life.”
    • “The story is highly compelling and features a cast of colorful, dramatic characters.”
    • “The story is not well written; if it wants its selling point to be that it's telling a detailed story about Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, then it failed utterly.”
    • “The story harps on the idea that Nobunaga is ending the chaos, and then he dies, and the story just ends, despite it being clear to everyone that there is still chaos, because even the most cursory knowledge of the period knows that there's a lot more conflict in the future.”
    • “The storytelling feels disjointed and fails to engage players in any meaningful way.”
  • graphics260 mentions

    The graphics of Samurai Warriors 5 have received mixed reviews, with many praising the new cel-shaded art style and character designs as visually stunning and unique, reminiscent of anime and traditional Japanese aesthetics. However, some players criticized the overall graphical performance as mediocre, citing issues like lack of resolution options and gameplay visuals that don't fully utilize the art style. Overall, while the art direction is generally well-received, opinions vary on its execution and impact on gameplay.

    • “The graphics are absolutely incredible, still kept a little touch from the classics.”
    • “Samurai Warriors 5 offers an exhilarating as well as refreshing experience of a newly designed musou game, which is demonstrated by the cell-shaded graphics used in the game, vastly different compared to its predecessors.”
    • “Visually it is stunning, the art style suits the world and the way it is portrayed.”
    • “New graphics but old boring gameplay; they ported the game to PC but kept the ratio on console (16:9 when my screen is 32:9), what a lazy company.”
    • “Graphically, Samurai Warriors 5 is a mixed bag.”
    • “Its lackluster gameplay, uninspired visuals, and shallow progression systems make it hard to recommend to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.”
  • gameplay260 mentions

    The gameplay of Samurai Warriors 5 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its smooth combat mechanics and engaging action typical of the musou genre, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking significant innovation compared to previous entries. The introduction of unique weapon mechanics and a vibrant art style adds some freshness, but some players feel that the core gameplay remains largely unchanged and can become stale over time. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable hack-and-slash action, it struggles with depth and variety, leading to a somewhat polarizing reception among fans.

    • “On one hand, the game has some of the best flow/combat in the series, a new art style that works, and all-around good features and mechanics.”
    • “The combat is smooth, with ultimate skills adding the perfect fun edge to the series' mechanics, and the actual weapon movesets being super fun and refined.”
    • “If you're a fan of musou games, I recommend SW5 because it's a beautiful story, told in a beautiful way, and the gameplay is really satisfying.”
    • “One of the most glaring issues with Samurai Warriors 5 is its lackluster gameplay.”
    • “The combat mechanics, which should be the heart of any warriors game, feel outdated and uninspired.”
    • “This game offers nothing new in terms of gameplay; it's repetitive and time-consuming.”
  • music90 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fusion of traditional Japanese instruments and modern genres, creating an atmospheric experience that enhances gameplay. However, others find the soundtrack forgettable, noting that many tracks are remixes from previous entries and that certain pieces do not fit the emotional context of the scenes. Overall, while the music is generally enjoyable and nostalgic for some, it lacks the memorable impact of earlier soundtracks in the series.

    • “While that alone may be enough to seal the deal and make a good game, what makes this game exceptional in my eyes is the soundtrack.”
    • “I can't claim that the soundtrack is indisputably good—look hard enough and there will be detractors, and to each their own—but if you ask me, it's truly a gift, a masterpiece of atmospheric design.”
    • “The music is arguably the best part about the game.”
    • “The soundtrack in this game feels forgettable. I personally don't think they should've done a reboot for the 5th entry, and having played through the story mode fully, it's not historically accurate at all. I'm not sure what the point of this entry was.”
    • “Honnō-ji's music is really underwhelming, and so is the death of Nobunaga (not a spoiler as it's basic knowledge for anyone into Japanese history or Samurai Warriors games) due to the song playing in the background.”
    • “As mentioned above, there are certain 'sad' or 'emotional' scenes where the music just doesn't fit.”
  • character development55 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth, particularly in the evolution of key characters like Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, although some players feel it can feel rushed at times. The character designs are a significant highlight, showcasing a mix of appealing aesthetics and fresh interpretations, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of these new designs compared to previous iterations. Overall, while the character development is appreciated, some players express a desire for more consistency and depth in character portrayals.

    • “The stories are amazing with great character development in it.”
    • “Evolution becomes a big (though not big enough) part of the story, and as a lover of stories and narratives, I really appreciated the character development Nobunaga and Mitsuhide go through, even if it feels rushed at times.”
    • “As mentioned above, there's also more character development all across the board.”
    • “Other character designs like Oichi, Tadakatsu Honda, & Nagamasa Azai stand out to me because of the change from their more mature appearances to relatively 'young and hip' attitudes they've donned this time around, which I wasn't a huge fan of.”
    • “I am attached to the previous models and wish there were some kind of option to include the older character designs.”
    • “- character designs are pretty boring, to be honest.”
  • grinding53 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding the citadel mode particularly tedious and repetitive, requiring significant time investment for character progression and unlockables. While some appreciate the grind as part of the genre, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making battles drag on and limiting character choices. Overall, the game is considered less grindy than others in the genre, but still demands a considerable amount of effort to achieve 100% completion.

    • “It's not too grindy when compared to other games, and it prevents you from becoming overpowered against enemy officers by limiting your progression in story mode.”
    • “The main drawback for me is citadel mode and its bond unlockables; it is less than I expected and the grinding is pretty boring.”
    • “You will be grinding a lot if you want to see everything the game has to offer, and that grind never gets more interesting than spamming the X button until your fingers bleed.”
    • “My main complaint is the side mode, citadel mode, feeling very grindy, boring, and repetitive with you completing these basically identical 5-minute or less battles over and over again.”
  • replayability40 mentions

    Overall, the replayability of Samurai Warriors 5 is a contentious topic among players. Many feel that the game lacks depth and meaningful incentives for replaying, citing issues like cloned movesets, limited character options, and a reliance on hidden objectives that feel forced rather than engaging. While some players appreciate the fun of the stages and the skill system, the general consensus leans towards a diminished replay value compared to older titles in the series.

    • “The overall stages are also really fun to play, and have much more replay value with the objectives or ranks.”
    • “Visuals are great, combat is smooth and there's lots of replay value.”
    • “Add in a crazy amount of customization and replayability; this is a must-play title!”
    • “In Samurai Warriors 5, these elements feel watered down and insignificant, robbing the game of depth and replay value.”
    • “No replayability and no updates or DLC since launch.”
    • “I think another criticism I have is the lack of unique weapons and a lack of replay value.”
  • optimization25 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players praise its smooth performance and good optimization on PC, others report significant issues, particularly on the Nintendo Switch, where performance can fluctuate and affect gameplay. Comparatively, it is seen as an improvement over previous titles like Dynasty Warriors 9, but still falls short in certain areas, especially regarding co-op play and character performance enhancements.

    • “Compared to Dynasty Warriors 9 with all of its performance issues, Samurai Warriors 5 proves to be extremely better, since the average FPS is comforting.”
    • “It's very well optimized for the PC, great artistic style.”
    • “Game runs smoothly, very well optimized.”
    • “Seems terribly poorly optimized... why can't I play co-op for the first time, do the story mode on co-op?”
    • “I'm not as big on Age of Calamity due to the horrid performance.”
    • “This, coupled with the fluctuating Nintendo Switch performance, makes it difficult to recommend.”
  • emotional13 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its focus on the perspectives of Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, which deepens the impact of their experiences and the story's emotional core. While many players appreciate the emotional moments and the engaging narrative, some criticize the historical liberties taken, particularly regarding character deaths, which can detract from the emotional authenticity. Additionally, there are mixed feelings about the music accompanying emotional scenes, with some feeling it does not always match the tone of the moments.

    • “By following events almost exclusively from the perspectives of Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, the story is able to develop a real emotional core, making the triumphs, tragedies, and compromises these men experience hit all the harder.”
    • “I really enjoyed the story; it had some great emotional moments.”
    • “[Large cast of characters, impressive new art style, new moves and skills expand gameplay, emotional and exciting story, intriguing take on a well-trodden Japanese historical period.]”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its entertaining story and well-executed cut scenes, particularly the comedic re-imagining of historical figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu and Nobunaga. Players appreciate the amusing dialogue and the humorous lip-syncing that adds to the overall comedic effect, making the gameplay experience both engaging and funny.

    • “The story was entertaining and funny, with a few well-done cut scenes, and the fighting is just pure ASMR as you improve your ability to send waves of bodies flying.”
    • “How they re-imagined the young Tokugawa Ieyasu is just hilarious!”
    • “Hah, funny Nobunaga man make peace.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its masterful design, with a soundtrack that, while polarizing, effectively enhances the experience. The combination of traditional and modern musical elements complements the storytelling, immersing players in the intriguing setting of the sengoku era. Overall, the atmosphere is described as engaging and fitting for the game's narrative.

    • “The soundtrack is truly a gift, a masterpiece of atmospheric design.”
    • “The story beats were enough to keep me invested in the story, in this new rendition of the oft-mysterious Sengoku era.”
    • “The music is a typical musou fusion of butt rock and traditional instruments, but it’s for the most part unobtrusive and fits the atmosphere.”
    • “Music is the typical musou fusion of butt rock and traditional instruments, but it’s for the most part unobtrusive and fits the atmosphere.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report a high level of stability in the game, with very few to no bugs or glitches encountered during gameplay.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Samurai Warriors 5

Play time

13hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
6-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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