Video Game Review: Samurai Warriors 5

Developer: Omega Force

Publisher: Koei Tecmo

Genre: Hack and Slash

Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC

Samurai Warriors 5 is the latest installment in the long-running Warriors series by Koei Tecmo. A reboot of sorts, this new game is a fresh re-imagining of the franchise that takes place during the Sengoku period. While this game limits its scope in terms of storytelling compared to previous titles in the series, it focuses on the earlier exploits of characters like Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi that have previously been unexplored in the franchise.

As always, Samurai Warriors delivers hack and slash combat through hundreds of enemies over various battlefields. In this newest installment, however, they’ve added several new abilities to combat. You can now equip up to four types of “Ultimate Skills” to your character before a battle to give them an edge in the fight. These skills range in ability from being able to recharge your Musou gauge (which you use to perform Special Moves) to quick buffs to your attack and/or defense. These skills add a new element to the gameplay, but admittedly don’t change the overall experience too much beyond giving your character some additional perks. In the heat of battle, they are a nice addition but I wouldn’t miss them too much if they were gone, either.

Samurai Warriors 5 has a cast of 37 playable characters, with 21 returning veterans of the series and 16 brand-new additions. This is a decrease from the 55 characters Samurai Warriors 4 boasted but you don’t feel like you’re playing a downgraded game. Each character is fun to play and has varied move animations that make them unique in their own ways.

Something I really enjoyed about Samurai Warriors 5 is the art direction. In this game, the developers went for a style closer to traditional Japansese artwork, and when characters perform special moves it paints the screen in a captivating and interesting way. This style choice sets this game apart from its predecessors in a great way.

Along with Story mode, there are several different game modes to enjoy. In the My Castle mode, you have many activities to take part in. There’s the Dojo where you can upgrade your characters through a skill tree, the Blacksmith where you can upgrade character weapons, a Shop to buy and sell items, and a Stable where you can manage and upgrade your horses. You can also upgrade these buildings to get better rewards from them.

Besides the My Castle mode, there is also Citadel mode where you work to defend your base and gain resources to upgrade your buildings in My Castle. As characters take part in a battle together, their Friendship level will increase, and once it’s maxed out, you can view special scenes not featured in the Story mode at the Hermit’s Retreat. There is also a Vault mode where players can view event cutscenes, listen to BGM songs and learn more about the history in the Biographies section.

Overall, Samurai Warriors 5 is a fun addition to the series and an excellent jumping-on point for newcomers and veterans to enjoy.