Warbands: Bushido

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 511 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
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Warbands: Bushido is a tactical miniatures-based wargame set in feudal Japan. Choose a warlord and lead your clan to victory in battles with AI or human opponents. Unique mechanics include terrain affecting movement and an honor system that influences your warriors' actions and abilities.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 511 reviews
gameplay38 positive mentions
grinding42 negative mentions
  • The game features simple rules and is easy to learn, making it accessible for new players.
  • The artwork and aesthetic are beautifully designed, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
  • The game allows for strategic gameplay with a variety of units and cards, providing depth and replayability.
  • The game heavily relies on RNG, which can lead to frustrating outcomes where strategy is overshadowed by luck.
  • There is a lack of meaningful single-player content, with most gameplay focused on PvP skirmishes.
  • The matchmaking can be unbalanced, often pitting new players against more experienced opponents with stronger units.
  • gameplay109 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its accessibility and engaging mechanics, combining elements of tactical RPGs and collectible card games. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and fun factor, some express frustration with the reliance on RNG and certain design choices that can lead to repetitive experiences. Overall, the game offers a solid tactical experience, though it may require further balancing and refinement to enhance long-term enjoyment.

    • “The gameplay is easy to understand and easy to master yet satisfying when you win.”
    • “The mechanics are well designed overall, and I'm quite fond of the art direction, especially the miniatures.”
    • “Great tactics and gameplay, just don't get discouraged by the campaign.”
    • “Frustratingly designed game mechanics.”
    • “The mechanics are shitty, the graphics and concept are great.”
    • “The lack of meaningful tactical mechanics makes the battles themselves lackluster dice rolling contests.”
  • graphics67 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and attention to detail, featuring a charming aesthetic that resonates well with players, particularly those fond of Japanese themes. While the artwork and animations are generally well-received, some users noted issues with bugs and optimization that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the game's appeal despite some gameplay shortcomings.

    • “It looks beautiful, the aesthetic is very well presented in every little detail.”
    • “The graphics and detail of the environment, surroundings, and the characters are simply a treat to the eyes.”
    • “Lovely hand-drawn quality to visuals evocative of tabletop miniatures and dioramas.”
    • “I did not enjoy this game at all and too bad because I fancied the graphics and I love turn-based games.”
    • “But if I were you, I wouldn't let the artwork deceive you.”
    • “- simple visuals and audio”
  • story53 mentions

    The game's story is generally perceived as underwhelming, with many users noting a lack of depth and engagement in the campaign narratives, often describing them as hollow or minimal. While the aesthetics and themes are appreciated, players express a desire for more substantial storytelling elements, such as cutscenes and character development, to enhance the overall experience. Additionally, the current structure of quests and campaigns is seen as limiting, with players hoping for future expansions to improve the narrative and gameplay.

    • “Spies, ninjas, proud samurais, and common soldiers will become heroes and villains for dozens of stories, each 20-60 missions long.”
    • “Warband Bushido combines a few games in one: a board game, fun tactical exchanges, turn-based miniature, and TCG, and has a story-driven campaign.”
    • “Campaigns have their own characters and follow a direct storyline.”
    • “At present, the storyline isn't complete.”
    • “Basically a PvP game since the decks and the storyline do not relate.”
    • “We should be able to use our units, not just random units; I get there is a story behind that, but the campaign is a perfect moment for new players to level up a bit their units and get some rewards (the campaign gives no interesting rewards, no point for winning, no leveling up, what the heck?).”
  • grinding44 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in multiplayer modes where leveling up units is essential. While some appreciate the daily grind as a way to extend gameplay, others criticize it for feeling unbalanced and leading to a pay-to-win scenario. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is a core mechanic, it can detract from the overall enjoyment and progression of the game.

    • “Not too grindy.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Progress is extremely slow and grindy; leveling up your units takes ages but is required to have a shot in the solo campaigns, and the game, if pleasant, is neither fun enough nor rewarding enough to justify a much higher buy-in.”
    • “This game has the feel of a free-to-play game, but there are no stores to buy things with real money. The reason it feels like a free-to-play game is because it's all farming; farming is all you will ever do.”
    • “That encourages either a minimalist approach to miniature or card acquisition or hours upon hours of grinding since the players out there are decent and you need 3 victories just to get 10 coins.”
  • monetization32 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over its transition from a paid early access model to a free-to-play format laden with microtransactions. While some appreciate the removal of in-game purchases in the PC port, others feel betrayed by the shift to a cash grab model that favors pay-to-win mechanics. Overall, there is a strong desire among players for a game experience free from microtransactions, with calls for developers to maintain this approach moving forward.

    • “I really enjoy this game; for once it's not about microtransactions.”
    • “Plus, no microtransactions; you have to earn currency through in-game activities!”
    • “There are no microtransactions, and I hope it stays that way.”
    • “I paid good money for this game when it was in early access and now it's 'free to play' with microtransactions?!!!”
    • “The game was changed to free to play and riddled with microtransactions.”
    • “The bottom line is the business model is a cash grab that can lead one to spend hundreds of dollars, far more than the game's worth, over a period of time.”
  • music17 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and traditional Japanese influences, enhancing the overall aesthetic and feel. Reviewers appreciate the beautiful soundtrack and sound effects, noting that they complement the game's visuals and contribute to an enjoyable experience. However, some players desire more variety in the music to further enrich the gameplay.

    • “The aesthetic and music go well with the feel of the game; it is running smooth with few lag issues or load times.”
    • “The artwork and soundtrack are beautiful as well.”
    • “Music is great and the look and feel of the game is good too.”
    • “Needs more variety in the music.”
    • “The music is soothing but lacks diversity.”
    • “The game could benefit from additional music tracks and maps.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting persistent glitches, crashes, and an unoptimized interface that detracts from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the graphics and smooth gameplay, many express frustration over the game's bugs and lack of balance, leading to a recommendation against purchasing until substantial improvements are made. Overall, the game's stability issues overshadow its potential, leaving players feeling disappointed.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is smooth, and I haven't encountered any glitches or bugs so far.”
    • “The game runs flawlessly, providing a stable experience without any interruptions.”
    • “I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime, making for an enjoyable and stable gaming experience.”
    • “Still an extremely buggy game.”
    • “Really wanted to enjoy this game but unfortunately it's just so buggy and even when you finish the tutorial campaign I can't even grab the rewards; it still says incomplete when I have clearly done it. Often at the start it'll crash or during a scenario it'll just have the loading logo and won't load. Can't recommend this at all; it just feels very rushed. Plus, there are so many bots and hackers out there I don't think many people will be enjoying this game unless they fix it ASAP. Thumbs down on this one!”
    • “A nice game but don't pay money to buy now when it is still buggy and unbalanced.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, the game's performance is generally smooth, but players report significant optimization issues, particularly at higher ranks where matchmaking can lead to unbalanced encounters. While the graphics are praised, many users have noted glitches in the interface that detract from the experience.

    • “Runs smoothly.”
    • “The performance is really good.”
    • “Once you reach rank 20, you face either AIs which are trivially easy or players with fully optimized legendary warbands that can easily steamroll your makeshift warband (assuming you haven't spent any money on the game at this point).”
    • “Nice game with nice graphics, but it is totally not optimized and has many glitches in the interface.”
    • “The game has potential, but the optimization is lacking, leading to frequent crashes and performance issues.”
    • “Despite its engaging gameplay, the poor optimization results in long loading times and frame rate drops.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of *warbands: bushido* is praised for its unique tabletop-like style that effectively captures the essence of classic tabletop wargames and RPGs, enhanced by detailed graphics and immersive sound design. Players appreciate the feudal Japanese setting, which contributes to a rich and engaging experience, despite some repetitiveness in the audio. Overall, the game offers a compelling atmosphere with significant replay value.

    • “Unique tabletop-like style of Warbands: Bushido not only recreates the classic look and atmosphere of the best games in tabletop wargame and RPG genres, but also combines legendary complexity and detail of core rules with fluent and accessible gameplay.”
    • “Great atmosphere and lots of replay value.”
    • “Really enjoying the feudal Japanese atmosphere.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its tactical depth, allowing players to earn points to enhance their warband and ability cards, contributing to a varied gameplay experience. Additionally, the immersive atmosphere further enhances the game's replay value.

    • “Tons of tactical depth and replayability in the form of earning points to improve your warband and ability cards.”
    • “Great atmosphere and lots of replay value.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the reviews is largely centered around a sense of irony and frustration, particularly regarding the game's transition from a paid title to a free one. Users express a lighthearted yet annoyed sentiment about their purchase, using humor as a way to cope with their disappointment.

    • “It's kinda funny that I paid for this game and now it's free. Well, I will just be a butt and not recommend it since that's all I can do to show my minute frustration.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

40hMedian play time
46hAverage play time
40-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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