Samurai Warriors 5

The main pros of the game

• Art Style: The cel-shaded graphics and new art direction received widespread praise for their beauty and fresh aesthetic, reminiscent of traditional Japanese ink art.
• Engaging Storytelling: The game offers a well-told narrative focusing on historical figures like Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi, providing depth and emotional engagement.
• Gameplay Mechanics: While retaining the classic Musou formula, the introduction of new combat mechanics, including Ultimate Skills and a skill system, adds variety to the gameplay.
• Citadel Mode: This mode introduces strategic gameplay elements, focusing on base defense and resource management, which diversifies the experience beyond typical hack-and-slash mechanics.
• Character Development: Players noted that the characters feel more fleshed out, with better storytelling and development compared to previous titles.

The main cons of the game

• Smaller Character Roster: Many fans were disappointed by the reduced number of playable characters, which is significantly lower than in previous installments, limiting variety in gameplay.
• Cloned Move Sets: Players criticized the similarity in movesets among characters due to shared weapons, contrasting with the uniqueness of characters in earlier games.
• Linear Story Focus: The game’s narrative is heavily focused on Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, leading some players to feel that the broader historical context of the Sengoku period is neglected.
• Technical Issues: Some users reported frame rate drops and other minor technical glitches that detracted from the overall experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Lack of Character Variety: Users expressed a desire for a broader selection of characters, particularly fan favorites from previous titles.
• In-depth Free Play Mode: Several reviews mentioned the absence of a true free play mode, limiting the ability to select any character for various stages.
• Expanded Side Stories: Players wanted more side stories or additional content related to other major historical figures like Hideyoshi and Ieyasu.
• Improved Co-op Functionality: The online co-op mode received criticism for its limitations, requiring players to have completed maps before playing together.

Summary

• Overall, while SAMURAI WARRIORS 5 has been praised for its artistic direction and engaging narrative, it also faces criticism for its reduced character roster and some gameplay limitations.

Summary generated on: November 23, 2025