Dynasty Warriors is well-known for its historical drama, hack-and-slash combat, and the thrill of leading the army into massive battles. The franchise quickly became a huge hit after its first installment in 1997. The game kept expanding due to its popularity making millions of fans around the world.
If you are looking to experience something similar, then we have some good news for you. There are quite a good number of games that boast the same hack-and-slash fighting system of Dynasty Warriors that excel in combat, storyline, mechanics, and visuals.
In this post, we listed 11 such games available on PC that will provide captivating gameplay that will make you relive the Dynasty Warriors experience.
Samurai Warriors 4-II & 5
The hallmarks of Dynasty Warriors such as the huge battlefields, hordes of enemies, and the leading magnificent figures in combat are seamlessly brought to Samurai 4-II and 5 titles. The distinguished gameplay mechanics would make you want more of the combat where you annihilate dozens of soldiers single-handedly with ferocious sword attacks.
As reviewed by the critics, Samurai Warriors 5 in particular is “A polished and beautiful Musou game“(God is a Geek). But the critics are not alone in praising these titles, the fans have developed their love for the titles due to the anime touch given to the titles while being able to play as a powerful Samurai who excels in swordsmanship as well as super magical powers.
For Honor
For Honor’s release marked a significant milestone that captured the hearts of players with its unique blend of combat mechanics and engaging multiplayer modes. While it is distinct from the Dynasty Warriors series in terms of gameplay, For Honor shares a similar theme: the clash of warriors in a historical setting.
Developed and Published by Ubisoft in 2017, the game has a big fanbase due to the availability of several gameplay modes. You can either go solo or co-op with your friends to tear your enemies apart. While it doesn’t give you the magical powers to kill several soldiers at a time, it’s a bit more on the realistic side of what would actually happen in a real battle.
Attack on Titan 2
AOT 2 was developed and published by KOEI TECMO GAMES, the one who developed the Samurai games you saw earlier. Released in 2023 on Steam, AOT 2 brings the fantasy to life where your enemies aren’t regular soldiers but huge Titans that are difficult to take down.
The epic anime needs no introduction and you get to experience this story with Eren and his companions. The excellent combat that allows leveraging the power of omnidirectional mobility gear and flying in the sky sets it apart among all the games listed here.
Total War Three Kingdoms
Total War: Three Kingdoms stands as a monumental masterpiece that invites players to immerse themselves in the political and sprawling battles of ancient China. Developed by Creative Assembly and launched on Steam in 2019, the game saw an enormous number of players and very positive ratings in just a few days. Apart from the recent calls to boycott the game due to the price increase of DLC, there is no doubt that players enjoy the game to the core.
While the combat mechanics of Total War: Three Kingdoms differ significantly from the hack-and-slash intensity of Dynasty Warriors, the thematic resonance is undeniable. Players have to command armies in epic real-time battles and navigate the web of alliances, rivalries, and political plots in this turn-based campaign.
Dragon Quest Heroes I & II
Developed by KOEI TECMO and published by Square Enix, Dragon Quest Heroes I and II were launched on Steam in 2015 and 2017 respectively. While the games didn’t see much popularity, they still saw some good success initially. It’s unfortunate that the multiplayer mode is almost dead but you still have the campaign awaiting you to explore this action RPG epic on sprawling battlefields.
The combat system combines strategic planning with fast-paced hack-and-slash elements, allowing players to unleash powerful abilities and spells. Therefore, the game feels very much like Dynasty Warriors in essence but with the addition of expansive and interconnected environments that have unseen challenges for you.
Arslan: The Warriors of Legend
Once again, another KOEI TECHMO game that did not become very popular despite its stunning anime graphics and intense hack-and-slash combat. The game features a collaboration between The Heroic Legend of Arslan and the Warrior anime series and if you are a fan of these anime as well as Musou games, you’ve got to try it.
The game introduces the Mardān Rush feature, allowing players to execute devastating combos alongside their allies that create a visually stunning spectacle on the battlefield. As some players call it, the game is one of the closest to Dynasty Warriors in the combat system. The best part? You can play it with your friends in both offline and online co-op modes.
Berserk and The Band of The Hawk
“The Most Brutal Game”- This is how the game needs to be described. Developed by the developer, as you can guess “KOEI TECMO”, Berserk garnered attention for its faithful representation of the manga’s dark narrative and the sheer brutality of its combat. Players have to navigate the expansive battlefields, slicing through enemies with relentless combos, all while facing towering bosses that demand expert strategies.
The game currently has the most accurate representation of the manga and the storyline is pretty dope as expected. So, if you are a fan of Berserk, this Musou game is definitely for you.
Wild Hearts
Wild Hearts saw significant hype when released but due to the poor optimizations, it got review bombed. Of course, the game itself is pretty sick as a unique spin on Monster Hunter and can get you loads of fun in the hunting journey. Developed by KOEI TECMO and published by Electronic Arts(unfortunately), the game has one of the best visuals to offer. Unfortunately, the game couldn’t reach its potential due to poor optimizations but if you are getting good performance, you are on the lucky side.
Warriors Orochi 4
Debuting in 2018, Warriors Orochi 4 marked the successful return of the series, building upon the foundations laid by its predecessors. The introduction of the new magic system and refined combat mechanics elevated the gaming experience which delivered a fresh and exciting chapter in the Warriors Orochi saga.
According to Musou fans, Warriors Orochi 4 is the best Warrior game ever, and being developed by KOEI TECMO elevates its authenticity even further. The sprawling battles, relentless hordes of enemies, and the feeling of leading legendary warriors into the battle make the game stand out. The game not only has a single-player mode but can also be played locally in co-op with friends.
