One of many greatest benefits to PC gaming is accessing a number of generations of sport releases. We’ve seen total franchises launched over time, and in lots of instances, Steam has extra entries in a single franchise than consoles the place stated franchises started. With Omega Pressure and Koei Tecmo’s Musou or Warriors video games, I normally get pleasure from taking part in them on a transportable, and have performed tons on PS Vita, 3DS, and Nintendo Change over time. The Steam Deck modified issues, however Koei Tecmo’s older ports are usually not the very best.
This bought me pondering of an article and right here we’re. There’s a very particular sort of particular person I’m aiming to assist with this characteristic, and I’ve gotten each Koei Tecmo printed Musou/Warriors sport put in on my Steam Deck to see how they run (or don’t run) right now. I additionally need to assist these with a number of platforms determine if they need to play a sport on Steam Deck or one other platform right here.
What’s a Musou sport or Warriors sport?
For lots of newer followers of the style together with myself with Hyrule Warriors on 3DS, Koei Tecmo and Omega Pressure’s Musou or Warriors video games mainly are hack and slash motion video games the place you play as a personality plowing down a whole bunch of enemies on a battlefield, but in addition doing issues like taking down captains (extra highly effective enemies), capturing forts, taking down bosses, and way more.
Over time, we’ve seen Omega Pressure carry this formulation to many collaboration initiatives like Fireplace Emblem Warriors and Hyrule Warriors for Nintendo, One Piece Pirate Warriors for Bandai Namco, and even carry components from the Warriors video games to motion RPGs like Dragon Quest Heroes for Sq. Enix and Persona 5 Strikers for SEGA/Atlus.
Mainly, the Warriors video games are the very best podcast video games or senseless enjoyable video games so far as I’m involved, and I’ve been taking part in each single one which was launched after entering into the style.
My testing setup for Musou video games on Steam Deck
I performed all of them on my Steam Deck OLED, used an exterior controller as nicely to see how the video games deal with these, after which tried totally different Proton variations to see if efficiency improves or points are fastened. I’ve additionally specified Valve’s ranking if relevant for each sport featured right here. Observe that the Steam Deck Verification system just isn’t even near good, and hopefully this text helps you understand that and in addition discover your subsequent favourite Musou.
Samurai Warriors 4 DX
Samurai Warriors 4 DX is Steam Deck Verified.
On my Steam Deck OLED, out of the field Samurai Warriors 4 DX runs with a 60fps goal, however drops to the mid 40s typically throughout busy fight when performed at 720p. I turned every little thing low or off and had it working across the 50s within the take a look at space. I then turned every little thing on and used the excessive preset. That is good for a 30fps goal as a result of the sport hovered between 30 and 40fps. As of this writing, a locked 60fps just isn’t attainable at 720p so far as I can inform. I hope this may be improved in patches. The excessive and medium presets look excellent on the hand held display.
Warriors Orochi 3 Final Definitive Version
Warriors Orochi 3 Final Definitive Version is Steam Deck Playable for not setting the native res by default.
On my Steam Deck OLED, Warriors Orochi 3 Final Definitive Version defaulted to a really low decision. After setting it to 720p, every little thing went easily at 60fps. I didn’t want to vary something, however I turned shadows down as typical since I at all times do in most video games to make sure the efficiency doesn’t drop afterward.
Touken Ranbu Warriors
Touken Ranbu Warriors is Steam Deck Verified.
Touken Ranbu Warriors runs high quality throughout the board together with cut-scenes. I performed at 720p and medium graphics high quality on Steam Deck. It runs and appears loads higher than the Change model, and this one additionally targets 60fps. I don’t actually have a lot to say about this one apart from the Steam Deck is my favourite option to play it by far. For those who like Touken Ranbu, this one is price getting, however there are higher Warriors video games on this checklist to think about earlier than getting this one as a newcomer.
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires is listed as Steam Deck Unsupported.
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires utilizing Proton GE boots up and performs the movies on the title display, however lacks controller glyphs. I anticipated this to run a bit higher than Dynasty Warriors 9 given it’s on Change as nicely, however it isn’t a tremendous expertise. When taking part in on the low preset and 720p, I noticed at most 40fps exterior fight. I’d not advocate taking part in Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires on Steam Deck when you’ve got entry to the house console variations, however if you wish to play on a transportable, that is higher than Change, however that’s a low bar given the way it runs and appears there. I like to recommend this one on PS5 or Xbox Collection X at this stage.
Samurai Warriors 5
Samurai Warriors 5 is listed as Steam Deck Unsupported.
Earlier than Samurai Warriors 4 DX launched on Steam, this was my favourite Warriors sport on the platform. I nonetheless like it, however I hadn’t performed it since launch 12 months on PC. Revisiting it confirmed me that it could run okay and look excellent, however the efficiency is a bit iffy. A buddy of mine really useful utilizing Proton GE, so I ran it with 9-9 and turned shadows to low. This helped loads and it stayed nearly locked at 60fps within the three maps from the marketing campaign I revisited to check from my previous save. This take a look at positively made me need to play extra Samurai Warriors 5. It’s very good.
DYNASTY WARRIORS 7: Xtreme Legends Definitive Version
DYNASTY WARRIORS 7: Xtreme Legends Definitive Version is Steam Deck Playable and never Verified as a result of some textual content could also be small, the decision just isn’t set accurately by default, and since it reveals keyboard and mouse prompts on Steam Deck.
After setting DYNASTY WARRIORS 7: Xtreme Legends Definitive Version to 720p it appeared to run completely at 60fps, however it began dropping to the mid 50s within the opening stage. I didn’t have every other points, however there isn’t a Steam Cloud save help. My 30 hour save file from once I used to make use of a Home windows laptop computer is unfortunately gone. I can forgive a variety of port points, however the lack of Steam Cloud is past terrible in video games like this. Regardless of that, in case you are happy with a guide backup, DYNASTY WARRIORS 7: Xtreme Legends Definitive Version is excellent worth and it runs loads higher than anticipated on Steam Deck.
Warriors Orochi 4 Final
Warriors Orochi 4 (Final with the DLC) is Steam Deck Playable for not setting the show decision by default accurately.
Warriors Orochi 4 Final can have a problem the place it doesn’t show something, and you’ll resolve this by forcing fullscreen off by taking part in the sport in Desktop Mode first after which going again to Recreation Mode on Steam Deck. Except for that, and it didn’t occur to me, however did occur to a buddy, Warriors Orochi 4 Final out of the field runs at round 30fps, however in the event you set it to the low graphics settings from the title display and run it at 720p, it holds a locked 60fps within the missions I attempted. Fortunately, this one does have Steam Cloud help so my save carried over from once I performed it earlier than. Warriors Orochi 4 Final runs and appears loads higher than the Change model even on the lowest settings.
Dynasty Warriors 9
Dynasty Warriors 9 is Steam Deck Unsupported.
That is the large one. Not when it comes to its significance, however as a result of Dynasty Warriors 9 is likely one of the worst-performing video games I’ve ever performed on console again on PS4 and Xbox One. It’s nearly good on PS5 and Xbox Collection X by way of backward compatibility. Enjoying on Steam Deck just isn’t an ideal expertise out of the field. Switching to Proton GE (9-9 in my case) helps, however it nonetheless was stretched up and down for some purpose whatever the show mode I selected. Not solely are controller glyphs lacking even with that, however the default medium preset has it working at about 20fps typically with some video playback points. Turning issues to low or off resulted in it working at about 5 or 10fps extra, however nonetheless not nice with how a lot it was fluctuating. It additionally didn’t assist that the sport appears to suppose I’m taking part in the trial once I personal all of the season passes and the bottom sport on Steam. I’ll have to revisit this one later, however I’d skip this on Deck proper now.
Warriors All-Stars
Warriors All-Stars is listed as Steam Deck Playable for not setting the show decision by default and having a launcher that requires the touchscreen. It doesn’t have Steam Cloud help.
After setting Warriors All-Stars’ launcher to 720p, the sport refused to show something however a small dot on Proton Experimental and no matter I used. I noticed fullscreen was the difficulty. Turning fullscreen off within the launcher fastened this. On the default settings, Warriors All-Stars runs at between 40 and 60fps. Enjoying at low resulted in a clean 60fps.
Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada
Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada is listed as Steam Deck Unsupported.
Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada can’t get to a locked 60 whatever the setting. In truth, even when utilizing Proton GE to get improved efficiency, it hovers within the mid 30s. Apart from the subpar efficiency at even low settings, Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada runs high quality on Steam Deck. That is high quality if you wish to play at 30fps.
Berserk and the Band of the Hawk
Berserk and the Band of the Hawk is listed as Steam Deck Unsupported.
Identical to Spirit of Sanada, I set Berserk and the Band of the Hawk to low, and whereas that had points, this one performs high quality at 60fps on my Steam Deck OLED within the early elements. The later levels get extra chaotic and see drops, however this runs higher than the PS4 model by loads. I used Proton Experimental and disabled fullscreen. That’s mainly all I needed to do to get Berserk and the Band of the Hawk to run on Steam Deck.
Arslan: The Warriors of Legend
Arslan: The Warriors of Legend hasn’t been examined by Valve but.
Arslan: The Warriors of Legend has a launcher you navigate with a touchscreen. Past that it really works high quality on Steam Deck and with an exterior controller exterior cut-scenes that displayed a shade bar sample by default. Enjoying with GE Proton 7-20 resulted in cut-scenes working, however there was no audio in them. I then tried GE 9-9 and had no luck with audio in cut-scenes. Barring the opening cut-scenes, the sport appears to hover round 40fps. Not nice and with out cloud saves, it’s arduous to advocate on Steam Deck proper now.
Samurai Warriors 4-II
Samurai Warriors 4-II is listed as Steam Deck Unsupported.
With out altering any compatibility, Samurai Warriors 4-II doesn’t boot up on Steam Deck. I swapped to GE Proton 9-9 after which Experimental and nonetheless had no luck. Going again to Proton 7 had it lastly load for me. Samurai Warriors 4-II doesn’t have Steam Cloud help and it additionally solely shows keyboard and mouse button prompts on Steam Deck. In the case of efficiency and visuals, it appears good, however efficiency is erratic. Particle results throughout fight tank the body charge from 60 to the 30s typically, and it has shader-related points so far as I can inform. It could actually run at 60fps for elements of a battle, however it varies an excessive amount of.
Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires
Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires is Steam Deck Unsupported.
Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires surprisingly has Steam Cloud help. I say surprisingly as a result of this sport is sort of 10 years previous, and older Koei Tecmo ports weren’t good. Both approach, after launching the config and disabling fullscreen, I had no bother taking part in Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires on Steam Deck with no change to any settings. Efficiency within the battles I examined was additionally stable. The one difficulty is it shows keyboard and mouse button prompts. I couldn’t determine tips on how to make it show controller prompts as of this writing.
DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Full Version
DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Full Version is Steam Deck Unsupported.
After disabling fullscreen via the config launcher, DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Full Version masses accurately with cut-scenes and audio taking part in as they need to. DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Full Version additionally shows solely keyboard and mouse prompts for some purpose. This one sadly doesn’t have Steam Cloud help. For those who do personal a Nintendo Change, I’d advocate taking part in it there although DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Full Version runs higher on Steam Deck solely as a result of all of the DLC included on Change makes {that a} massively higher worth proposition proper now. I used to play DYNASTY WARRIORS 8 on console, however moved to PC and have gone again to taking part in it on Change to deal with it as my foremost platform for that sport.
Bonus
Persona 5 Strikers
Persona 5 Strikers is at the moment Steam Deck Unsupported.
Persona 5 Strikers just isn’t a Musou/Warriors sport, however it has components from these video games. The explanation I’ve included it as a bonus is as a result of it isn’t a conventional Warriors sport, however I’ve had a variety of people ask me about this one once I speak about Warriors video games lately. On making an attempt as well it up for the primary time, I assumed my Steam Deck froze. I waited a complete minute and it was caught on a black display. I switched to utilizing Proton GE (9-9) and Persona 5 Strikers lastly booted up with cut-scenes and audio taking part in accurately. I had no points testing totally different factors of my previous save from once I reviewed the sport years in the past on Steam Deck after that.
One Piece Pirate Warriors 3
One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 is at the moment Steam Deck Playable by Valve for not displaying the right button prompts on Deck.
For those who’re questioning why I’ve featured One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 and never 4 right here, nicely the latter is area locked and I attempted shopping for a Steam key for it, however that didn’t activate. I do personal One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 so I’ll as nicely take a look at that as I loved it loads on Nintendo Change a number of years in the past and on PS Vita earlier than. One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 doesn’t have Steam Cloud help. It appears capped to 58 fps whatever the settings I used. I additionally couldn’t discover a option to get this to point out controller prompts on Steam Deck. Identical to Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, at this level you’re getting a greater expertise in One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 by taking part in on Change regardless of the body charge being variable on Nintendo’s hybrid system.
Which is the very best Musuo sport to purchase on Steam Deck?
As of now there isn’t a single reply. My prime three for Steam Deck are Warriors Orochi 3 Final Definitive Version, Samurai Warriors 4 DX, and Samurai Warriors 5. The primary two are cheaper and supply extra worth with DLC included, however I like coming again to Samurai Warriors 5, and having an ideal model on Steam Deck makes me not need to contact my Change save anymore.
Is the Steam Deck the very best moveable for Musou video games?
Effectively, sure and no. Nearly all of the multi-platform ones are greatest on Steam Deck in comparison with Change, however there are three specific Nintendo collaboration video games which are on Change (and N3DS for one). Hyrule Warriors Definitive, Fireplace Emblem Warriors, and Fireplace Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes are wonderful Warriors/Musuo video games you could’t play on PC. Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity is a technical mess that I don’t advocate. Hopefully it runs higher on the Nintendo Change successor each time that launches.
A mixture of older Koei Tecmo ports being missing, some Proton points, and a few options lacking imply the PC variations of a few of these video games on the whole are usually not the easiest way to expertise them. Since I personal all of the Musou/Warriors video games from the PS4 and afterward all platforms, I normally have a special platform I take advantage of for a few of them. For instance, Samurai Warriors 4 was greatest on PS4, however the DX model on Steam Deck is now my favourite. Warriors Orochi 4, I’d play on PS5 or Xbox Collection X, however I’ll play Warriors Orochi 3 on Steam Deck. I play Dynasty Warriors 8 and One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 on Change for the nice ports and big worth with all DLC included. Dynasty Warriors 9 I don’t actually play anymore exterior of listening to the music.
Hopefully this helped any Musou followers who personal a Steam Deck or are contemplating getting one to play these video games. I can’t look forward to Dynasty Warriors: Origins in 2025. The massive takeaway for Musou followers who personal a Steam Deck, is that you might want to spend a while fixing among the older ports to run nicely on Steam Deck.
