Dynasty Warriors was launched in 1997 as a PS1 combating recreation, and it wasn’t till 2000 that the sequence actually kicked off. Dynasty Warriors 2 turned the sequence right into a hack-and-slash RPG that follows Chinese language historical past by a fantastical lens. In Japan, this model of motion is also known as a Musou recreation, which can be a shorthand description elsewhere for this franchise and the style that follows its formulation. A long time later, the developer, Omega Power, and its publisher, Koei Tecmo, have teamed up with recreation and anime corporations to make tons of licensed Musou spinoffs.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the newest spinoff, which is about to launch in November 2025 on the Swap 2 as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Anybody new to the style who’s thinking about getting right into a Musou-style motion recreation ought to verify the next video games out earlier than Age of Imprisonment arrives. They aren’t too difficult, and if the issue does turn out to be a ache, a lot of them additionally help co-op play.
Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity
Answering Breath Of The Wild’s Lingering Questions
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity solutions questions that a number of followers had after they performed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It takes place earlier than the occasions of that recreation, the place the alliances of Hyrule band collectively to cease Ganon from reaching his full energy.
Although the core gameplay nonetheless entails slaying hundreds of troops, there’s some Breath of the Wild DNA in right here, too. From weapon crafting to the paraglider to exploring acquainted areas, it is a good Musou recreation to start out with, because it’s a helpful prequel within the Zelda sequence as nicely.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
Turn into A Pirate
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is the newest entry within the sequence, and whereas some lagging anime or manga followers could also be behind on the story, others will love the place this recreation takes place. The core of Pirate Warriors 4 takes place throughout the Wano Arc, which is a favourite amongst One Piece followers as issues get fairly explosive.
Although the sport got here out in 2020, it’s nonetheless getting DLC characters as of August 2025, and there are upcoming next-gen variations too. Play as the Straw Hat Pirates, their allies, and even the villains, all of which have wild powers like Luffy’s stretchy arms.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
Reborn And Higher Than Ever
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the newest principal entry within the sequence that began all of it, Dynasty Warriors, and it’s basically a reboot of your complete franchise. This makes it an excellent jumping-in level, together with its extra simplistic design in comparison with another entries.
As The Wanderer, gamers can align themselves with the sport’s three principal factions and tackle story and aspect battles that they choose from a world map. The motion shall be acquainted to anybody who’s performed a Musou recreation, but it surely’s extra sturdy due to the weapon system and Omega Power specializing in The Wanderer as a principal playable character, slightly than a whole roster of heroes.
Samurai Warriors 5
A Extra Intense Different To Ghost Of Tsushima
Samurai Warriors 5 is the newest Samurai Warriors recreation, the Japanese equal of Dynasty Warriors, which explores historical past by a ridiculous mode of storytelling. Like Dynasty Warriors: Origins, Samurai Warriors 5 is a little bit of a reboot as a result of the characters are all aged down, and this makes it an excellent place to start out as nicely.
Additionally, Omega Power went for a extra fashionable cel-shaded look for lots of the gameplay right here. It’s flashier than the sequence has ever been, and whereas the story isn’t as riveting as a samurai game like Ghost of Tsushima, Samurai Warriors 5 will fulfill motion followers.
Persona 5 Strikers
A Direct Summer time Sequel
Persona 5 Strikers is a direct sequel to Persona 5 Royal. It doesn’t essentially reply any lingering questions from the primary recreation, but it surely does comply with The Phantom Thieves on one other journey throughout their summer time trip, and continues their tales and character arcs.
As a substitute of turn-based gameplay, every character, together with new additions to the crew, are performed in actual time with the flexibility to nonetheless use the powers of their chosen Persona. The motion is stable, however what’s most spectacular is the story, and any Persona 5 fan will simply get hooked on it.
Persona 5 Strikers could also be a bit exhausting to comply with for gamers who have not accomplished Persona 5 Royal beforehand.
Dragon Quest Heroes 2
A Huge Enchancment
Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Under is the primary recreation on this sequence, and whereas it options Musou-like motion, it locations extra emphasis on tower protection. Whereas that recreation is nice, this makes it difficult to get into, whereas the sequel, that includes a brand new solid of characters, is a greater place to start out.
Dragon Quest Heroes 2 doesn’t emphasize its technique facets almost as a lot, and the motion is dealt with higher. From authentic characters to Dragon Quest classics, similar to Torneko from Dragon Quest 4, sequence followers will eat this nostalgia fest up with each new hero they get to play as.
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3
Cel-Shaded Mecha
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 is one of the best entry within the sequence for previous and new gamers alike, for a couple of causes. Visually, it’s the one recreation within the sequence that makes use of cel-shading, which helps it look extra just like the anime. This makes the motion pop extra between all the laser swords and laser blasts in house and on the bottom.
There are tons of mechs and characters to play as, all drawn from the various Gundam seasons and sequence, so total, it’s an ideal love letter to Gundam followers, but it surely’s additionally an ideal entry level for individuals who are curious concerning the icnoic mecha anime franchise.
Fireplace Emblem Warriors
Including Ways To A Musou
Fireplace Emblem Warriors is a enjoyable crossover recreation that includes a pair of recent characters, Rowan and Lianna, who’re combating a battle with established Fire Emblem characters. It’s an ideal recreation for Fireplace Emblem followers, not simply due to the assorted characters that make an look, however as a result of technique nonetheless performs an element.
Gamers can use technique when planning out their missions on the map to get an edge in battle. Sure models nonetheless have weaknesses, like Pegasus Knights being simply weakened by ranged weapons like bows. Veteran Fireplace Emblem followers will make fast work of this recreation, however even rookies ought to be capable of outmaneuver the tactical influences and benefit from the all-out Musou motion.
