SAMURAI WARRIORS: Spirit of Sanada

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 174 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • optimization
SAMURAI WARRIORS: Spirit of Sanada Game Cover
The best story that Samurai Warriors has had to offer, as well as the addition of new mechanics to improve the experience, Spirit of Sanada is a great way to close the chapter on the Samurai Warriors 4 era.
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"Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada" is an action-packed game set in feudal Japan. Follow the journey of the Sanada clan, as you play through historical battles and clan struggles. Experience an in-depth look at the legendary hero Yukimura Sanada, in this immersive action title.

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

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 174 reviews
story56 positive mentions
optimization9 negative mentions
  • The game features a deeply engaging and emotional story focused on the Sanada clan, providing a unique perspective on the Sengoku period.
  • Gameplay mechanics have been improved with the introduction of multi-stage battles and a stratagem system, enhancing the tactical elements of combat.
  • The character roster is extensive, allowing players to experience a variety of unique characters, each with their own development throughout the story.
  • The PC port suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to low frame rates and performance drops even on high-end systems.
  • Some players find the exploration missions repetitive and tedious, detracting from the overall pacing of the game.
  • The lack of an English dub and poor mouse support can make it difficult for some players to fully immerse themselves in the story.
  • story166 mentions

    The story of "Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada" is widely praised for its emotional depth and focused narrative, centering on the Sanada clan's journey through the Sengoku period. Many reviewers highlight the game's detailed character arcs and historical elements, making it one of the best in the Warriors series, despite some criticism regarding pacing and repetitive side missions. Overall, players appreciate the immersive storytelling and the unique approach of following a single clan's saga, which enhances character development and engagement.

    • “It's got a much more focused story than any previous Dynasty or Warriors game, focusing on the campaign from the Sanada clan perspective.”
    • “The historical elements with the encyclopedia and showcasing events through specifically the lens of the Sanada clan is a brilliant breath of fresh air.”
    • “The execution of the story was perfect; one can feel the emotion of the characters as they each follow their own conviction.”
    • “The story is long and has pacing issues, with side missions that feel like filler and slow down the overall progression.”
    • “You finish the story mode and then... and then nothing. There's not a thing to do after clearing the story, which is kind of ridiculous.”
    • “Seeing events unfold from the perspective of just a few characters does make for an interesting narrative, but the pacing is bogged down by boring filler missions.”
  • gameplay40 mentions

    The gameplay in "Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada" is praised for its engaging mechanics, including the introduction of stratagems and a day-night cycle, which enhance the traditional musou experience. While some players note a degree of repetitiveness and familiarity with previous titles in the series, the overall combat is described as responsive and impactful, complemented by a strong narrative and character development. The game successfully combines action with RPG elements, providing a rich and immersive experience that keeps players entertained.

    • “The gameplay is great, the soundtrack is awesome, and the story blew me away.”
    • “Possibly the best warriors game to date, with some of the best gameplay and a very good, but not perfect, story.”
    • “The gameplay is responsive and tight, and the narrowed focus of the narrative makes the game feel outstanding.”
    • “The gameplay and levels become very repetitive, and after hours you have to do the same levels with different enemy looks.”
    • “I did not have new gameplay compared to previous series, but we could build or upgrade new weapons.”
    • “When you think of Samurai Warriors, the plot is usually secondary as the mindless gameplay and terrible voice acting have always been the main selling points.”
  • optimization34 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with many players reporting performance issues such as lagging and frame rate drops, particularly when compared to previous titles in the series. While some users with high-end systems have not experienced these problems, the overall consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience for a majority of players. Many hope for future patches to address these optimization concerns.

    • “Even with more and more people playing Warriors games on PC, they never get the optimization right... I just hope that DW9 won't have the same issues that the recent Koei titles have been getting.”
    • “The game hasn't been fully optimized and has some performance issues.”
    • “The only problems I have with this port is that its optimization is questionable, especially when the previous ports of DW8:XLCE and 4-II run smoothly, which is justifiable since they're both based off of the last-gen versions instead of the next-gen versions.”
    • “Unfortunately, Koei did not do well on performance tuning.”
    • “Don't let the downvotes of all the negative reviews fool you - these optimization issues are severe and are affecting the majority of players.”
  • graphics23 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the visual fidelity and stunning environments, especially on max settings, while others note that some assets and animations are reused from previous titles, leading to a sense of familiarity. Overall, the graphics are considered a significant improvement for Koei Tecmo, though technical issues like poor framerates have been reported, particularly on certain hardware configurations.

    • “Graphics look good too, and I'd say it's got some of the best gameplay in the series.”
    • “The visuals and graphical fidelity of Samurai Warriors has never looked better, and the environments are absolutely stunning on max settings.”
    • “For a port, the graphics are top notch.”
    • “Be warned, at present, technical issues are still a factor; poor framerates seem rife with most rigs, apparently nvidia graphics card-based ones specifically.”
    • “The only major downsides with this game are the graphics and cinematic animations, which weren't spectacular compared to current-level games, but a definite improvement for Koei Tecmo games.”
    • “That's if you can get past the graphics and engine that—much like the story—are remnants of an era gone by.”
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as one of the best in the series, featuring a mix of new tracks and beloved reused themes. The music enhances both gameplay and cinematic moments, effectively complementing the story and character portrayals. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and excitement.

    • “The gameplay is great, the soundtrack is awesome, and the story blew me away.”
    • “Soundtrack has to be one of the high points in the series and doesn't miss a story beat.”
    • “Especially for the Sanada theme, they're standing as the best OST Koei has ever offered.”
    • “The defeat and victory cut scenes were taken out; I really liked it since they still used the same music for it.”
    • “Graphics and music design are still Koei standard, not wonderful but definitely exciting and working well with the gameplay.”
    • “The cinematics and music were done well along with its portrayal of the characters, with usually big characters having more or less cameos and smaller characters with more of an appearance based on how they interacted with the Sanada clan in history.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players note that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while it offers opportunities to enhance weapons and explore various builds, it can become tedious and repetitive, especially after taking breaks. The inclusion of farming, fishing, and resource collection adds depth but also contributes to a sense of monotony, with some players feeling that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment. However, acquiring legendary weapons has been made easier compared to previous installments, which may alleviate some frustration for those willing to engage in grinding.

    • “Grinding can also get boring, especially if you take a small hiatus and come back to the game.”
    • “So an already long and tedious game becomes even more repetitive through endlessly re-doing stages.”
    • “Battles emphasize grinding, which tests patience more than skill.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players highlighting a deeply impactful story that follows the life of Yukimura Sanada and his father, Masayuki. Many reviewers express that the narrative evokes strong feelings, leading to moments of tears and a profound connection to the characters, making it a standout experience in the Warriors series. Overall, the game is described as an immersive emotional journey that resonates with players on a personal level.

    • “The plot is so emotional to see the life of the last Sengoku samurai, Nobushige (Yukimura) Sanada and his father, Masayuki.”
    • “I've gotten so emotional in the end; it's so awesome to be able to follow Yukimura's story from his birth to his very end.”
    • “Having played a lot of these games, all of the foreshadowing and heartbreaking comments feel like they're laser-guided at my heart, and this game has already made me cry a few times.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and emotional resonance, allowing players to form personal connections with the cast. The storytelling and dialogue enhance this aspect, making it a standout feature alongside solid gameplay mechanics. Overall, the development is both engaging and accessible, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “It is unrivaled in its storytelling, dialogue, and character development, not to mention it still does combat and gameplay well too.”
    • “I must give huge props for the accuracy of events and the character development much of the cast had.”
    • “Great character development that drew players in to connect with them personally.”
    • “Weapon, leveling, and character development are not that complicated.”
    • “The character development of much of the cast is lacking.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and unengaging.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Users express concerns about the game's replayability, noting that while there are features like the town vault, overall, the lack of replay value is a significant drawback.

    • “The replayability feature from the town vault adds a whole new layer of depth to the game.”
    • “The replay value is outstanding, offering countless hours of enjoyment.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
    • “The only complaint I have is the lack of replayability.”
    • “Replay value, of course.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the character Masayuki's intense and comical disdain for Ieyasu, which adds a humorous dynamic to their interactions.

    • “Masayuki hates Ieyasu so much, and it's hilarious.”
    • “The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud.”
    • “The game's humor is perfectly timed, making even the most serious moments feel lighthearted.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report that the game runs smoothly without any significant issues, indicating a high level of stability.

    • “It runs great!”
    • “The game is incredibly stable, with no crashes or glitches.”
    • “I've experienced smooth gameplay throughout, which really enhances the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

Buy SAMURAI WARRIORS: Spirit of Sanada

Play time

40hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
10-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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