Koei Tecmo took a massive gamble. When they announced they were rebooting the entire aesthetic and roster for Samurai Warriors 5, fans collectively held their breath. Gone were the flashy, almost superhero-like designs of the previous decade. In their place? A vibrant, sumi-e ink-inspired art style that makes every frame look like a living Japanese painting. It’s gorgeous. But the real meat of the change isn't just the paint job—it's how the Samurai Warriors 5 characters were fundamentally rebuilt from the ground up to tell a tighter, more personal story.
Honestly, the old games were getting bloated. You had dozens upon dozens of characters, many of whom felt like "filler" just to pad the roster. This time, Omega Force trimmed the fat. By focusing specifically on the Sengoku period's rise and fall through the eyes of Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi, the game breathes new life into names we’ve known for years. It’s a bold move. It’s polarizing. But it’s also the most focused the series has ever been.
The Dual Protagonist Shake-up
The heart of the game is the parallel journey of Nobunaga and Mitsuhide. Most people think they know Nobunaga. He’s the "Demon King," right? Cold, ruthless, terrifying. But SW5 gives us "Kipposhi," the brash, wild youth. Seeing him grow from a reckless teenager into the hardened leader we recognize is a trip. His move set reflects this evolution, too. You start with this frantic, high-energy style that eventually settles into something far more disciplined and devastating.
👉 See also: Why Friends Till the End DBD is the Most Stressful Perk You Aren't Using
Then you have Mitsuhide Akechi. Usually, he’s just the guy who betrays Nobunaga at Honno-ji. Here, he’s a deeply principled, almost tragic figure trying to find his place in a crumbling world. The chemistry—or lack thereof—between these two is the engine that drives the whole experience. Their relationship isn't just a plot point; it’s baked into the gameplay.
Fresh Faces and Familiar Names
Even though the roster is smaller, around 37 characters including some "Supporting" roles, the new additions stand out. Take Mitsuki, for example. She’s an original character for this entry, a Koga ninja who believes she’s Nobunaga’s daughter. She brings a verticality and speed to the combat that feels genuinely fresh. Is she historically accurate? Not really. But in a game that thrives on "musou" action, her inclusion adds a much-needed chaotic energy to the Oda ranks.
Then there’s Yasuke. Finally.
The historical African samurai has been a fascination for historians for centuries, and seeing him realized here with a massive club and a powerhouse fighting style is incredibly satisfying. He isn't just a skin or a cameo; he’s integrated into the Oda narrative in a way that feels earned. His presence highlights the international influence creeping into Japan during this era, something the series often glossed over in the past.
Why the "Clone" Controversy Actually Happened
We have to talk about the weapons. If you’ve spent any time in the musou community, you’ve heard the complaints about "clones"—characters sharing the same weapon types and move sets. In previous games, almost every character had a unique, often wacky weapon. We’re talking bladed fans, giant brushes, or even a literal boat.
👉 See also: Why The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Still Feels Like the Future of Gaming
In Samurai Warriors 5, characters are grouped by weapon categories like the Great Spear, Odachi, or Katana.
Koei Tecmo argued this allows for more "freedom," as any character can technically equip any weapon. While that's true, it did sap some of the individuality from the mid-tier roster. A character like Shingen Takeda feels a bit different when he isn't wielding his iconic war fan. However, the trade-off is a much more polished and balanced combat system. The "Ultimate Skills" add a layer of strategy that wasn't there before. You aren't just mashing X and Y (or Square and Triangle); you’re timing cooldowns and canceling animations to keep the combo meter climbing.
The Supporting Cast Dilemma
Not every character gets the full "Legendary" treatment. The game introduces "Supporting Characters"—units like Dosan Saito or Yoshitatsu Saito. They are playable, but they lack the unique "Musou" cinematic attacks that the main cast possesses. It’s a bit of a bummer, honestly. You'll be playing as a character you think is cool, only to realize they're effectively a "B-tier" version of a hero.
- Main Heroes: Full skill trees, unique power moves, heavy story involvement.
- Supporting Roles: Simplified mechanics, mostly there to flesh out the battlefield.
- The "New" Ieyasu: Forget the chubby, older Ieyasu Tokugawa from SW4. The SW5 version is a lean, green, dual-blade-wielding youth who is basically Nobunaga's little brother figure. It's a jarring shift if you're a series veteran, but it fits the timeline.
Breaking Down the New Art Direction
The visuals aren't just for show. The thick black outlines and vibrant colors help with "readability" on the battlefield. When you’re surrounded by 200 enemy soldiers, being able to instantly track your character's silhouette is a godsend. The "Power Attacks" now leave literal ink trails in the air. It’s stylistically consistent with the era’s art, making the whole game feel like a tribute to Japanese heritage rather than just another hack-and-slash title.
What This Means for the Future of Musou
This game was a soft reboot. It was a test. Koei Tecmo wanted to see if players would accept a smaller, more focused cast in exchange for better storytelling and a cohesive art style. While some miss the "everyone is here" approach of Warriors Orochi, most critics agree that the Samurai Warriors 5 characters feel more human than they ever have. They have motivations that aren't just "I want to unite the land." They have doubts. They have rivalries that feel grounded in the specific politics of the 16th century.
If you’re coming into this expecting the 50+ roster of the past, you might be disappointed. But if you want a tight, action-heavy retelling of Japan's most famous era, this is it. The focus on the Nobunaga-Mitsuhide arc allows for much better pacing. You actually care when a character dies because you've spent the last five hours seeing them in cutscenes, rather than just seeing them as a generic boss at the end of a map.
Actionable Strategy for Mastering the Roster
To get the most out of these characters, you need to stop playing it like an old-school Musou game.
🔗 Read more: Finding 7 little words solutions without losing your mind
First, ignore the "suggested" characters for a moment and experiment with the weapon swapping. Just because Tadakatsu Honda is "the spear guy" doesn't mean you can't try him with a different kit to see how his unique stats interact with different attack speeds. Second, prioritize unlocking the "Ultimate Skills" for your favorites early. These skills are what truly separate the characters in high-difficulty play.
Focus your resources on upgrading the Dojo. It’s tempting to spend all your gold on new weapons, but leveling up your characters' proficiencies is what unlocks the really devastating combo strings. If you’re struggling with a specific boss, look at your character’s elemental affinity. Fire and Lightning are great for crowd control, but Ice is the secret MVP for locking down enemy officers so they can’t trigger their own Musou attacks.
Dive into the Citadel Mode to farm materials for these upgrades. It’s a bit grindy, but it’s the only way to make your favorite characters viable for the late-game "Trial" stages. This game rewards depth over breadth. Pick three or four characters and really learn their timing. You’ll find that even with a smaller roster, there is plenty of complexity to keep you busy for a hundred hours.