Franchises That Would Make A Great Musou Game

Key Takeaways

• The franchises offer unique game-worlds and environments for battles.
• Lots of characters and weapons to choose from.
• Most of these franchises already have successful spin-off games in other genres.

The Dynasty Warriors series started life over two decades ago as a one-on-one fighting game, but developers Omega Force quickly opted for a more hack-and-slash style in the sequel, and they never looked back. Its Japanese title is where the term ‘Musou’ comes from, meaning unrivaled, and has become synonymous with the overall genre. Musou games are known for their large-scale battles, fast-paced action, and array of playable characters.

Several other franchises have already gotten involved. The likes of Hyrule Warriors, Persona 5 Strikers, and the One Piece: Pirate Warriors series have all achieved critical and commercial success, rivaling even that of Dynasty Warriors, so there is no reason to doubt that other franchises may be looking to branch out in this direction and try a Musou spin-off of their own.

10 Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy Warriors

• Humongous roster of beloved characters
• Lots of crossover appeal
• Could take a similar approach to the Fire Emblem and Dragon Quest series

A franchise that is not afraid of a spin-off, and certainly not afraid of adapting, Final Fantasy seems to be the most requested franchise for a Musou game. It’s not unrealistic either, since developers Square Enix have previously seen their Dragon Quest series get a Musou makeover.

The combat system has already been real-time action for a few entries in the mainline series now, not that turn-based combat can’t be transitioned to a Musou game, as Fire Emblem Warriors proved. The roster of characters from three decades of games is huge and the possibilities for settings, stories, and weaponry are incredible.

9 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Warrior Turtles

• Inimitable art style
• Already some superb beat-em-up games
• City setting could be fascinating

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been a pillar of the beat-em-up genre of video games, even rivaling classic series like Double Dragon and Streets of Rage. The bright color palette and unique premise really lend itself well to these sorts of games.

Swapping between the four main turtles and beating up Shredder’s ninja army ‘The Foot’ on the streets of New York City would be perfect for a Musou game. Each member of the reptilian gang has their own unique weapon, opening the door for different playstyles and tactics.

8 Star Wars

The Empire Strikers Back

• Many eras for story possibilities
• A Musou game on multiple planets
• Dual-wielding lightsabers

Nothing could replicate the true Jedi or Sith experience like a swarm of enemies acting as fodder while players slash through them with lightsabers and Force powers. Across the many films, TV series, books and other media, the lore of Star Wars is rich with eras, characters, and a multitude of planets to battle on.

Imagine storming the front lines during the Clone Wars, helping to take down the Empire, or even going back to be part of the formation of the Sith. Using Darth Maul and his iconic dual-blade lightsaber or dual-wielding lightsabers as Ahsoka Tano would really make players feel God-like in a Musou game.

7 SoulCalibur

Soul Strikers

• Could take the same approach as Dynasty Warriors
• Excellent roster of characters
• Satisfying gameplay would translate well to Musou

A one-on-one fighting game receiving the Musou treatment is not unheard of, since that is exactly how Dynasty Warriors started its life. Of the many options from the fighting genre, SoulCalibur seems the most obvious choice, since weapon-based offense is already a major part of the series.

The gameplay mechanics are already there, with ridiculous combos inflicting high levels of damage on enemies. The only difference is that hordes of grunts on an open battlefield need to be added. The story is already there too, with a gripping good vs. evil plot involving the legendary swords Soul Calibur and Soul Edge.

6 The Lord Of The Rings

Middle-earth: Shadow Of Warriors

• Still a relevant franchise years after its inception
• Already has some stellar games with similar gameplay
• Deep lore to borrow from

Many fans would argue that the classic movie tie-in games for The Two Towers and The Return of the King were similar to Musou games themselves. While aspects of them may be outdated today, they are still a fantastic building block to go all out on a Lord of the Rings, or even a wider Middle-earth, Musou game.

There are many Ages in the lore of Middle-earth that could be utilized, each with its own interesting battles, characters, and locations. Recent related media such as the Hobbit films, The Rings of Power TV series, and a Magic: The Gathering expansion show that there is still an appetite for this thriving franchise.

5 Pokemon

Gotta Slash ‘Em All!

• Currently over 1000 Pokemon in total
• Mass appeal
• Would be unprecedented in the Musou genre

Another franchise not afraid to branch out, Pokemon has seen many mainline titles and countless spin-offs. There are now over one thousand unique Pokemon, coming in all shapes and sizes with different attacks depending on their type.

Developers Game Freak would have to come up with a somewhat creative reason for large-scale battles involving everyone’s favorite monsters, but surely it would be something involving a dastardly plan from the evil Team Rocket. The interesting movesets could provide a new style of Musou game, moving away from melee combat and into more elemental and magical attacks.

4 Hades

Warriors Of The Underworld

• Unparalleled weapons
• Compelling setting
• Deep mythology to borrow from

A smash hit that has outperformed its indie credentials, this franchise may seem like an odd choice at first glance. Lending from the rich mythology of Ancient Greece, there are myriad characters to choose from, such as the Olympic Gods, Titans, and other deities, as well as mortal heroes like Ajax or Patroclus.

The unique weaponry on display in the mainline Hades games leads to distinctive playstyles, and the three-headed dog Cerberus could even be a playable hero in one of the many epic battles of the Underworld. The story possibilities are almost limitless, and the hellish setting would be very intriguing.

3 Xenoblade

Xenowarriors

• Unique settings and weapons
• Unusual and fascinating story
• Not many gameplay changes are required

Another action RPG with real-time combat, Monolith Soft’s Xenoblade series is not too far from Musou-style gameplay. Mostly taking place on Titanic beings and having abundant story elements, the franchise would offer a different perspective on the genre.

The fact that the characters Shulk, Pyra, and Mythra have now appeared in the Super Smash Bros. series, and that there are references to Xenoblade in Breath of the Wild, means that fan appeal for this sort of crossover exists. Wielding Shulk’s powerful sword Monado in the various unique settings and fighting the Mechon, among others, would be spectacular.

2 God Of War

God of War-riors

• Varied weapons for different playstyles
• Excellent potential for enemy bosses
• Can borrow from Greek and Norse mythology

Kratos is renowned for his rampages through waves of enemies, so a Musou game involving him seems very obvious. The original games in the God of War series were completely immersed in the Ancient Greek pantheon, and with more recent entries borrowing from the Norse Gods, there are plenty of options for enemies and settings.

Attacks are varied in the current games thanks to the large arsenal of their Spartan protagonist, and whipping up a tornado of humanity with the Chains of Olympus seems like a perfect fit for a Musou game. Plus, the bosses are some of the best battles in this genre, and what could be better than the Greek Titans and Norse Gods?

1 Super Mario

Super Mario Strikers Warriors

• Many successful spin-off series already
• Extensive game worlds and environments for battles
• Lots of characters and weapons to choose from

The Italian plumber is not averse to a spin-off game, even some that were unexpected. Nobody could have predicted that an XCOM-style turn-based strategy game would work with Mario and friends, but along came Mario + Rabbids, and it was received very positively, even being creative with some game mechanics, as we so often see in the Mario series.

With its large roster of characters, plenty of enemies who are easy prey, and established weaponry, such as Luigi’s Poltergust and Peach’s Parasol, a Musou game seems like a perfect fit for yet another great entry into the Mario series.