Summary
Musou games are perfect for players seeking a sense of might, as the genre blends hack-and-slash elements in settings with a large number of enemies. Typically, the goal is to defeat this horde of adversaries while completing certain objectives to eventually access battles against even stronger bosses, in fights that usually feature unique mechanics.
Although more niched, the genre boasts a large number of games, ranging fromoriginal stories to spin-offs of famous franchises, providing varied experiences for gamers. Thus, the best Musou titles are those that offer smooth combat and also engage players during the challenges presented.
Combining the fast-paced Musou gameplay with classic RPG elements,Dragon Quest Heroesis a spin-offthat delivers a unique experience within the genre. Iconic characters from the franchise join forces in battles against hordes of enemies, while special abilities and spells add variety to the combat, providing gameplay that is both accessible and deep.
The colorful visuals inspired by Akira Toriyama and the engaging soundtrack create an immersive atmosphere for gamers. The story, although not a major production, drives characters to traverse diverse settings, defending the world against an evil force. Thus, the game stands out as an excellent entry for RPG fans looking to enter the Musou genre.
Although it doesn’t feature large-scale battles against huge hordes of enemies like other games in the genre,Fate/Samurai Remnantprovides a lighter approach to Musou for players looking to get accustomed to the mechanics. Thus, the fights take place in smaller settings and don’t last as long as in other titles, but still offer some challenges.
Additionally,Fate/Samurai Remnantmixes in some Visual Novel events, a staple of the Fate franchise, to tell the story, while offering a non-linear progression of the narrative, also providing some side missions to complete. This helps the game maintain a different pacing, offering content for those who don’t want to just engage in battlesand feel like a Samurai.
8Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
An Excellent What-If Scenario Of Three Houses
Set in an alternate timeline to the originalFire Emblem: Three Houses,Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopespresents a unique approach by placing players in control of Shez, a new protagonist who faces the heroes ofFire Emblem: Three Houses. The plot reshapes the original events and gameplay, providing a narrative full of choices and twists compared to the original storyline.
The game blendsreal-time Musou-style combatwith tactical elements from the franchise, such as unit management and character progression. This fusion provides dynamic battles without losing strategic depth. With impressive graphics and an engaging storyline,Three Hopesstands out as one of the best games in the genre, pleasing both old and new fans.
Although recognized as one of the best JRPGs ever created, the most popular spin-off ofPersona 5doesn’t use the same game mechanics as the original version, opting instead for Musou gameplay. Thus, inPersona 5 Strikers, players set aside turn-based combat in favor of frenetic action, which works very well with the concept.
In this way,Persona 5 Strikersmanages to integrate traditional Musou mechanics with other series traditions, such as all-out attacks and the ability to use Personas' own abilities during combat. This mix results in an extremely fun game, especially for fans of the characters, since its narrative takes place some time after the events of the original story.
Considered arenaissance of the series,Samurai Warriors 5bets on a visual style inspired by ink paintings to revive the Sengoku Era with even more intensity. Featuring Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi as protagonists, the narrative unfolds in cinematic cutscenes, involving the player in epic battles and decisive moments of this turbulent historical period.
Combat options gain strength with mechanics like Hyper Attack, which allows clearing hordes of enemies quickly, and Ultimate Skills, capable of changing the course of the fight with devastating effects. Combined with modes like Story Mode and Citadel Mode, the title offers enough variety to make it one of the best Musou games ever produced, both for new fans and veterans.
One of the most fun aspects ofWarriors Orochi 4is that the game is an ode to genre fans, bringingtogether well-known characters and villainsfromDynasty WarriorsandSamurai Warriorsin one place, along with some new ones inspired by both Greek and Norse mythology. The title follows the essence of Musou, offering battles against hundreds of enemies, providing a great sense of might when defeating hordes with a single blow.
It’s also possible to switch characters during combat, allowing players to adapt to challenges in real-time, using complementary abilities to handle enemies or even create different combos. Thus, the gameplay remains dynamic and always frenetic, making it a great game for Musou fans, thanks to the variety of characters.
Although players can revisit some events of the Great Calamity - the events that destroyed Hyrule inThe Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -through Link’s memories, these events always lingered in players' minds. However, inHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, it was possible to learn a bit more about this story while still playing with iconic characters from the series.
While gameplay is a strong point of the game, allowing players to destroy huge hordes of enemies with different characters, each with unique gameplay, the strong point ofHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamitylies in its story. Through well-made cutscenes, it’s possible to learn more about the universe’s mythology and gain insight into the events that led to Hyrule’s destruction.
Recognized as one of the most extensive expansions of the franchise, this game significantly expands the cast of characters and thenarrative of theRomance of Three Kingdoms. The game offers new campaigns, challenges, and legendary characters, enhancing the original experience with additions that deepen the story while maintaining the series' characteristic frenetic combat.
At the same time, combat mechanics gain extra layers with the Switch Counter, essential for countering powerful enemy attacks, and the weapon affinity system, which creates strategic situations on the battlefield. Additional modes, such as Ambition and Challenge Mode, add varied challenges, offering twists to the routine of slaughtering hordes of enemies and motivating hours of intense gameplay.
Whether for fans of the genre or the series,One Piece Pirate Warriors 4is one of the best Musous ever created, offering players epic battles and frenetic gameplay that captures the essence of the original work. The game alsofeatures a vast cast of characters, allowing players to play as the entire Straw Hat crew as well as other known names like Big Mom and Smoker.
Additionally, the game allows players to relive iconic moments of the series while still featuring some very good mechanics, such as fighting against giant enemies.One Piece Pirate Warriors 4also allows the creation of devastating combos against enemies, all with amazing visual effects, making the game essential for all fans of the series.
The history of the Three Kingdoms is one of the most popular in China, andDynasty Warriors: Originsuses all this mythology for the game, redefining the Musou genre in a modern and cinematic way. Thus, the narrative allows players to learn more about this military conflict and be an active character in various moments of the war.
The most impressive aspect of the game is the combat, which is more refined compared to previous entries in the series, making battles against hordes of enemies inDynasty Warriors: Originssomething fun and frenetic. Additionally, the title is capable of providing an interesting experience for both newcomers and veterans of the series, becoming one of the best Musou games ever produced.
