Dynasty Warriors was released in 1997 as a PS1 fighting game, and it wasn’t until 2000 that the series really kicked off. Dynasty Warriors 2 turned the series into a hack-and-slash RPG that follows Chinese history through a fantastical lens. In Japan, this style of action is often referred to as a Musou game, which is also a shorthand description elsewhere for this franchise and the genre that follows its formula. Decades later, the developer, Omega Force, and its publisher, Koei Tecmo, have teamed up with game and anime companies to make tons of licensed Musou spinoffs.
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Explore the best Musou games, from Dynasty Warriors-inspired titles to spinoffs, offering epic battles and fast-paced hack-and-slash combat.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the latest spinoff, which is set to release in November 2025 on the Switch 2 as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Anyone new to the genre who is interested in getting into a Musou-style action game should check the following games out before Age of Imprisonment arrives. They aren’t too challenging, and if the difficulty does become a pain, many of them also support co-op play.
Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity
Answering Breath Of The Wild's Lingering Questions
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
- Released
- November 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity answers questions that a lot of fans had after they played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It takes place before the events of that game, where the alliances of Hyrule band together to stop Ganon from reaching his full power.
Even though the core gameplay still involves slaying thousands of troops, there is some Breath of the Wild DNA in here, too. From weapon crafting to the paraglider to exploring familiar areas, this is a good Musou game to start with, as it’s a valuable prequel in the Zelda series as well.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
Become A Pirate
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
- Released
- March 27, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is the latest entry in the series, and while some lagging anime or manga fans may be behind on the story, others will love where this game takes place. The core of Pirate Warriors 4 takes place during the Wano Arc, which is a favorite among One Piece fans as things get quite explosive.
Even though the game came out in 2020, it’s still getting DLC characters as of August 2025, and there are upcoming next-gen versions too. Play as the Straw Hat Pirates, their allies, or even the villains, all of which have wild powers like Luffy’s stretchy arms.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
Reborn And Better Than Ever
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
- Released
- January 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action, Hack and Slash
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the latest main entry in the series that started it all, Dynasty Warriors, and it’s essentially a reboot of the entire franchise. This makes it a good jumping-in point, along with its more simplistic design compared to some other entries.
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As The Wanderer, players can align themselves with the game's three main factions and take on story and side battles that they select from a world map. The action will be familiar to anyone who's played a Musou game, but it's more robust thanks to the weapon system and Omega Force focusing on The Wanderer as a main playable character, rather than an entire roster of heroes.
Samurai Warriors 5
A More Intense Alternative To Ghost Of Tsushima
Samurai Warriors 5
- Released
- July 27, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash
Samurai Warriors 5 is the latest Samurai Warriors game, the Japanese equivalent of Dynasty Warriors, which explores history through a ridiculous mode of storytelling. Like Dynasty Warriors: Origins, Samurai Warriors 5 is a bit of a reboot because the characters are all aged down, and this makes it a good place to start as well.
Also, Omega Force went for a more stylish cel-shaded look for a lot of the gameplay here. It is flashier than the series has ever been, and while the story isn’t as riveting as a samurai game like Ghost of Tsushima, Samurai Warriors 5 will satisfy action fans.
Persona 5 Strikers
A Direct Summer Sequel
Persona 5 Strikers
- Released
- February 3, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Persona 5 Strikers is a direct sequel to Persona 5 Royal. It doesn’t necessarily answer any lingering questions from the first game, but it does follow The Phantom Thieves on another adventure during their summer vacation, and continues their stories and character arcs.
Instead of turn-based gameplay, each character, including new additions to the team, are played in real time with the ability to still use the powers of their chosen Persona. The action is solid, but what’s most impressive is the story, and any Persona 5 fan will easily get hooked on it.
Persona 5 Strikers may be a bit hard to follow for players who haven't completed Persona 5 Royal beforehand.
Dragon Quest Heroes 2
A Big Improvement
Dragon Quest Heroes 2
- Released
- April 25, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Fantasy Violence, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below is the first game in this series, and while it features Musou-like action, it places more emphasis on tower defense. While that game is good, this makes it challenging to get into, whereas the sequel, featuring a new cast of characters, is a better place to start.
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Dragon Quest Heroes 2 doesn’t emphasize its strategy aspects nearly as much, and the action is handled better. From original characters to Dragon Quest classics, such as Torneko from Dragon Quest 4, series fans will eat this nostalgia fest up with every new hero they get to play as.
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3
Cel-Shaded Mecha
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3
- Released
- December 16, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T // Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 is the best entry in the series for old and new players alike, for a few reasons. Visually, it’s the one game in the series that uses cel-shading, which helps it look more like the anime. This makes the action pop more between all of the laser swords and laser blasts in space and on the ground.
There are tons of mechs and characters to play as, all drawn from the various Gundam seasons and series, so overall, it’s a great love letter to Gundam fans, but it's also a great entry point for those who are curious about the icnoic mecha anime franchise.
Fire Emblem Warriors
Adding Tactics To A Musou
Fire Emblem Warriors
- Released
- September 29, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen: Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Fire Emblem Warriors is a fun crossover game featuring a pair of new characters, Rowan and Lianna, who are fighting a war with established Fire Emblem characters. It’s a great game for Fire Emblem fans, not just because of the various characters that make an appearance, but because strategy still plays a factor.
Players can use strategy when planning out their missions on the map to get an edge in battle. Certain units still have weaknesses, like Pegasus Knights being easily weakened by ranged weapons like bows. Veteran Fire Emblem fans will make quick work of this game, but even beginners should be able to outmaneuver the tactical influences and take pleasure in the all-out Musou action.
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