Best Samurai Warriors Games

Key Takeaways

Samurai Warriors 5 revamps the series with new mechanics and visuals, making it the ideal starting point for new players.
Samurai Warriors 2 is considered the best in the franchise for its cohesive gameplay, emotional character stories, and solid combat.
The expansive Samurai Warriors 4 covers extensive historical ground with new mechanics like Hyper Attacks and Rage Mode.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the Samurai Warriors series is one of the most captivating and immersive historical action games out there. Among all the entries, the one that truly resonated with me is none other than Samurai Warriors 2.

In the gaming world, the epic hack-and-slash series exclusively based in ancient China, known as Dynasty Warriors, gained immense popularity and fame. This fame was so significant that it led to a spin-off series which shifted the narrative to Japan: Samurai Warriors. Just like its Chinese counterpart, this sister series garnered equal admiration, cementing itself as another highly recognized franchise by Koei.

The Samurai Warriors series is set during Japan’s Sengoku era and offers a diverse cast of characters, each tied to distinct historical events. Each game explores their backgrounds, legends, and complex relationships, often drawing inspiration from real-life figures but in a somewhat stylized manner. Most games within the Samurai Warriors series, similar to Dynasty Warriors, come with additional content such as expansion packs like “Empires” (a strategy game set in an open world) and “Xtreme Legends”.

This franchise boasts numerous spin-offs and games exclusive to specific platforms, in addition to its primary releases. The broad range of offerings within this series makes it challenging to establish a definitive order for the games, as each title provides a distinctive experience and offers significant bonus content that deserves individual recognition on any ranking list.

8 Samurai Warriors 3

A Typical Samurai Warriors Game That Doesn’t Break New Ground

Platform(s): Wii, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3
Released: December 3, 2009
Developer(s): Omega Force

The third edition of the Samurai Warriors series, known as Samurai Warriors 3, was launched in 2009 and is frequently viewed as one of the less impressive installments. It’s not that it’s terribly flawed or has insurmountable issues; rather, it lacks any standout qualities. Admittedly, certain gameplay and frame rate problems hold it back significantly, but overall, it’s quite forgettable.

Similar to other games within the Samurai Warriors series, Samurai Warriors 3 is set during the Sengoku Period, focusing on the Battle of Sekigahara. It stands out from other entries due to its robust story mode. However, it’s main drawback lies in its exclusivity on the Wii, causing many enthusiasts to search for the console specifically to play it. Regrettably, the game fails to consistently maintain a steady 30 fps on the Wii, rendering it almost unplayable at times. Although the PlayStation version provides a smoother gaming experience, it’s unfortunately only available in Japan and region-locked, restricting its reach to a wider audience.

7 Samurai Warriors: Chronicles

A Nintendo 3DS Exclusive That Brings Some Fun Stuff To The Gameplay

Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS
Released: February 26, 2011
Developer(s): Omega Force

As a devoted fan, I’d say that the Nintendo 3DS exclusive title I’m referring to is none other than “Samurai Warriors: Chronicles,” which made its grand debut in 2011 as a launch game. Though it may not be a main series installment, it has undeniably garnered a significant following and even spawned sequels and an intriguing narrative of its own. This game is all about unleashing chaos on the battlefield, offering players the freedom to wield their power as they see fit.

The game titled “Samurai Warriors: Chronicles” features a fresh mechanic allowing players to swap characters during battles, adding a lively feel to the action and combat. This game is derived from “SW3” and shares many of its aspects, so those who aren’t fond of “SW3” might not enjoy this one either. However, it should be noted that the gameplay is quite slow, and the storyline is lengthy with unnecessary grinding, which could lead to challenging situations, particularly towards the end of the game.

6 Samurai Warriors Chronicles 3

The Third Installment Of SWC Based On The Fourth Main Game

Platform(s): PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS
Released: December 4, 2014
Developer(s): Omega Force

I can’t get enough of the thrilling adventures offered by Samurai Warriors Chronicles! It quickly became a hit and even spawned a mini-series, with two sequels following the 2011 release. Sadly, the second installment, Samurai Warrior Chronicles 2nd, was only released in Japan and remains unavailable internationally. However, I’m excited to share that the third game, Chronicles 3, came out in 2014 and is an improved version of its predecessors!

This new game is inspired by SW4 and shares some elements of its story, particularly the fourth main installment. Like the original Chronicles, it allows you to switch characters during battles for greater control over the field. However, instead of focusing solely on the overall narrative, it places a strong emphasis on the personal relationships between characters.

5 Samurai Warriors

The First Game That’s More of an Acquired Taste and May Not Appeal to Everyone

Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox
Released: 2004
Developer(s): Omega Force

The game that initiated the Samurai Warriors series was initially launched in 2004. Despite its age, it remains a commendable title, offering a significantly distinct experience compared to Dynasty Warriors. It was the pioneering installment that shaped the series into what we know today.

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that the experience offered by this particular installment of Samurai Warriors stands out significantly from both Dynasty Warriors and subsequent entries in the series. Unlike other games, it doesn’t adhere to a consistent “tone” and “style” due to its starkly different dark and gritty atmosphere, which isn’t as prevalent in the other games. This game is also renowned for its challenging gameplay, with complex castle invasions and a progression that feels almost hopeless at times. Yet, despite being an older title, Samurai Warriors boasts a substantial story mode and expansion packs. However, its plot remains somewhat vague. Additionally, the New Officer Mode lets players design their own characters, adding a unique twist to the gameplay.

4 Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada

A SW4 Spin-Off That Goes All Out With Its Story

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita
Released: November 23, 2016
Developer(s): Omega Force

The game titled “Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada” is often recognized as the “entertaining” addition to the series. Essentially, it’s a spin-off of SW4 that delves deeper into its narrative and concentrates solely on plot development and character tales. It’s inspired by the real history of the Sanada clan, starting from the very origins of their tale.

The game resembles Star Wars 4 in many ways, yet due to its niche focus on the Sanada clan, it seems more focused and linear. It also innovates by incorporating fresh mechanics such as a day-night cycle, time constraints, and shorter stages for extended battles. Overall, it has a strong appeal and plays more like an RPG than a hack-and-slash game, but understanding its previous installments is beneficial to fully enjoy it.

3 Samurai Warriors 5

A Reboot That Successfully Revamps the Series

In 2021, we welcomed the newest addition to the series, “Samurai Warriors 5”. This game is a fresh take on the previous installments, offering unique mechanics, movesets, and character interactions that make it distinctly different from other games in the franchise. The new game offers an entirely novel perspective on the world of Samurai Warriors.

As a passionate fan, I’m thrilled about the innovative mechanic in this game called Ultimate Skill, which dramatically boosts the damage dealt to enemies. Granted, the grinding could use some smoothing out, but considering it’s a reboot, it’s undeniably more refined than its predecessors. It’s an ideal introduction for newcomers, as playing SW5 offers a solid grasp of the franchise without overwhelming them with specifics from other games. What sets SW5 apart is its historical authenticity and focus on characters relevant to the time period, rather than casually incorporating historical figures. The cherry on top? It’s a modern game, so it boasts stunning visuals, graphics, and technical aspects that surpass any previous entry.

2 Samurai Warriors 4

The Biggest Game in the Franchise, Perfectly Honoring Every Element

In simpler terms, “Samurai Warriors 4” and all its additional content, including spin-offs, form one of the largest collections within the series. It delves into a wide range of characters, historical events, battles, and factions, offering an extensive perspective on the Sengoku Period. Instead of solely focusing on individual warriors, it expands to encompass entire clans and even lesser-known groups of the time, providing a more comprehensive view of this era.

This game, similar to SWC, enables players to swap characters during combat and offers fresh features such as Hyper Attacks and Rage Mode that were absent in earlier versions. Notably, the game expands significantly with its “Empires” title and has a variant named “Samurai Warriors 4-II”. The “Empires” edition of the game introduces additional content through extra events and a marriage system, further enhancing immersion and size.

1 Samurai Warriors 2

Still Stands As One Of The Best Koei Games Ever Made

Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita
Released: February 24, 2006
Developer(s): Omega Force

The second installment of the Samurai Warriors series, titled Samurai Warriors 2, was launched in 2006 and garnered recognition that surpassed its predecessor. Remarkably, it’s often regarded as the best game within the franchise, despite subsequent sequels being released by Koei. Essentially, it serves as a template for future titles, establishing the foundation for their themes – in many ways, a spiritual precursor to the rest of the series.

In terms of gameplay, character development, graphics, and additional modes, SW2 stands out as the most harmonious installment in the series. The characters are deeply emotional, the story cutscenes are well-crafted, there’s a rich historical basis to most of its lore, and combat is challenging yet accessible. Its replay value is exceptional, and even the expansion pack, Xtreme Legends, is highly acclaimed for introducing numerous new characters, some of whom later became beloved by fans due to their captivating backstories. On a technical level, SW2 excels in its soundtrack, visuals, color scheme, and voice acting, making it a superior Koei game overall.

2024-09-03 11:45