Samurai Warriors 5

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 554 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
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 is a hack and slash game set in a historical context, offering both single-player and multi-player options, including local co-op split screen. The Deluxe Edition comes with exclusive bonuses and a Season Pass, granting access to additional scenarios, weapons, horses, skills, and more at a discounted price. The game promises an intriguing story, excellent gameplay, good graphics, and beautiful music, but expect some grinding.

  • 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

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 554 reviews
story84 positive mentions
grinding31 negative mentions
  • The game features a beautiful new art style that enhances the overall visual experience.
  • The combat mechanics are fluid and satisfying, with a good variety of characters and weapons to choose from.
  • The story is well-presented and engaging, focusing on the rise of Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi.
  • The character roster is significantly reduced, leading to many cloned movesets and less variety in gameplay.
  • Citadel mode feels repetitive and grindy, lacking the depth and excitement of previous game modes.
  • There is no English dub, making it difficult to follow the story during intense gameplay moments.
  • story400 mentions

    The story in "Samurai Warriors 5" focuses primarily on the lives of Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi, offering a more intimate narrative compared to previous entries in the series. While the storytelling is praised for its emotional depth and character development, many players feel that the limited focus on just two characters leaves other potential storylines and characters underdeveloped. Overall, the game presents a compelling narrative with engaging cutscenes, but some players express disappointment over its historical accuracy and the repetitive nature of missions.

    • “One of the game’s standout features is its engaging story mode, which dives into the lives of iconic figures from the Sengoku period.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “What I don't understand is why this is the sole focus of Samurai Warriors 5 after previous versions have had much more robust storylines across multiple characters.”
    • “Because of this focus on Nobunaga Oda, every other character feels like a side addition to the game and there is zero development on their story and why they are there.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay150 mentions

    The gameplay of Samurai Warriors 5 is a blend of classic musou mechanics with some new features, offering a fun and addictive hack-and-slash experience that appeals to both newcomers and series veterans. While many players appreciate the smooth combat and unique weapon mechanics, some criticize the repetitive nature and lack of depth in gameplay, as well as design choices that feel uninspired. Overall, the game strikes a balance between enjoyable combat and a rich narrative, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking innovation or extensive content.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly fun and addictive.”
    • “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 Samurai Warriors 5 because it's a beautiful story, told in a beautiful way, and the gameplay is really satisfying.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, there are a lot of questionable decisions here.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics140 mentions

    The graphics of Samurai Warriors 5 have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising the new cel-shaded art style and its vibrant, anime-inspired visuals that evoke traditional Japanese aesthetics. While some players appreciate the stunning character designs and fluid animations, others criticize the lack of graphical options and the game's performance on different screens. Overall, the art style is seen as a refreshing update that enhances the game's appeal, despite some concerns about gameplay mechanics and content depth.

    • “The new art style is gorgeous in action and they applied a lot of learned lessons from previous warriors games, especially the ones that were exclusive to Nintendo.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely incredible, still kept a little touch from the classics.”
    • “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.”
    • “The art style is a failed attempt at replicating a Japanese painting style that has excessively thick outlines on things, but looks horribly jarring in 3D.”
  • music56 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its blend of traditional Japanese instruments and modern genres, creating an atmospheric experience that enhances gameplay. However, others find the soundtrack forgettable or lacking in memorable tracks, with some songs being criticized as remixes from previous entries. Overall, while many appreciate the energetic and fitting compositions, there are notable detractors who feel the music does not always align with the game's emotional moments.

    • “The soundtrack features epic themes that perfectly match the intensity of the battles, while the sound effects immerse you in the chaos of combat.”
    • “The music is perfect, and I loved the story.”
    • “And last but not least, the OST which is phenomenal in my opinion, resembles old traditional Japanese instrumental folk, with soothing flute melodies, groovy shamisen riffs, and heavy war drums, all adding magnificently to the overall experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “Other than that, I feel like there's less oomph from the music.”
    • “Honnō-ji's music is really underwhelming, and so is the death of Nobunaga due to the song playing in the background.”
  • grinding32 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is generally viewed as a mixed bag; while some players find it manageable and fitting for a Warriors title, others criticize it for being tedious and repetitive, particularly in the citadel mode, which is seen as overly grindy and lacking depth. Many players note that grinding is necessary for character progression and unlocking content, but it can detract from the overall enjoyment due to its repetitive nature and the game's combat system. Overall, those who appreciate grinding may find it rewarding, while others may find it frustrating and excessive.

    • “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.”
  • character development30 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and evolution, particularly in the narratives of key characters like Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, though some players feel it can be rushed. The character designs are a highlight, showcasing a mix of appealing aesthetics and fresh interpretations, although opinions vary on the new styles, with some players expressing nostalgia for previous designs. Overall, while the character development is seen as a significant improvement, the execution and consistency of character designs have sparked mixed reactions among fans.

    • “The stories are amazing with great character development in it.”
    • “As mentioned above, there's also more character development all across the board.”
    • “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.”
    • “Other character designs like Oichi, Tadakatsu Honda, and 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.”
  • replayability20 mentions

    Overall, the replayability of the game is heavily criticized, with many players noting a lack of depth and unique content compared to older titles. While some elements, like the skill system and varied objectives, offer potential for replay, the reliance on cloned movesets and forced hidden objectives detracts from the enjoyment. Many reviewers express disappointment in the game's value for money, citing that it does not provide sufficient incentive for repeated playthroughs.

    • “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.”
    • “A combination of the classical musou gameplay but with tower defense elements, which is a really neat addition and adds a lot to the already good replayability the game offers.”
    • “In Samurai Warriors 5, these elements feel watered down and insignificant, robbing the game of depth and replay value.”
    • “The only good thing is the skill system which is basically just stolen from Final Fantasy X, but its more shared skill trees with every character in the game which makes the replay value diminish.”
    • “No replayability and no updates or DLC since launch.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed feedback. While some players praise its smooth performance and stable frame rates, particularly on PC, others express frustration with certain aspects, such as the lack of co-op options and the need to divert attention from combat to read dialogue. Despite these issues, many agree that the game runs well, especially in comparison to other titles in the genre.

    • “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.”
    • “Regarding its performance, I had stable 60 FPS at 1080p with my old 980 GTX even when fighting against enormous crowds of enemies, and I haven't encountered a single bug, as far as my understanding goes at least.”
    • “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.”
    • “Each character does have their own skill tree, but these mostly break down to a few underwhelming stat buffs that are unlikely to make much difference in your performance.”
  • emotional6 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. While many players appreciate the emotional moments in the story, some criticize the historical liberties taken, particularly regarding character deaths, which can detract from the intended emotional weight. Additionally, there are mixed feelings about the musical choices during key emotional scenes, suggesting that the overall emotional resonance may vary among players.

    • “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.”
    • “Took a chance on a musou game after probably not touching one in over 10 years due to the reviews talking so highly about this one, and I gotta say I don't regret it a bit.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its masterful design, with a soundtrack that blends traditional instruments and modern elements, enhancing the overall experience. The story and character designs contribute to an engaging ambiance, effectively immersing players in the mysterious sengoku era. While opinions on the music may vary, it generally complements the game's atmosphere well.

    • “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.”
    • “Music is the typical musou fusion of butt rock and traditional instruments, but it’s for the most part unobtrusive and fits the atmosphere.”
    • “The music is the typical musou fusion of butt rock and traditional instruments, but it’s for the most part unobtrusive and fits the atmosphere.”
    • “I also love the character designs and the music; it certainly fits the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Speaking of atmosphere, the story beats were enough to keep me invested in the story, in this new rendition of the oft-mysterious Sengoku era.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its entertaining story and well-executed cut scenes, with a particular emphasis on the comedic re-imagining of historical figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu and Nobunaga. Players appreciate the amusing lip-syncing that adds to the comedic effect, alongside the satisfying and humorous chaos of combat.

    • “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!”
    • “Haha, funny Nobunaga makes peace.”
  • stability1 mentions

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

    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
    • “The stability issues are frustrating; I often find myself having to restart the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Samurai Warriors 5

Play time

18hMedian play time
17hAverage play time
6-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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