Sakura Wars Reviews

Sakura Wars is ranked in the 56th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2020

A unique combination of genres, Sakura Wars is ultimately a compelling adventure that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

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Apr 27, 2020

From the perviest moments of fan service through to the most heart-wrenching moments of insecurity that each of the characters displays, Sakura Wars is by turns hilarious and touching, and covers a real emotional gamut.

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Cubed3
Top Critic
8 / 10
Apr 27, 2020

Fun but limited combat, punctuates a fantastic, character-driven drama about putting on shows and pulling a once beloved group and theatre out of its rut, and into the spotlight on an international level.

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8 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2020

When I went in to review this game I didn’t know what to really expect out of it but I came out of it as a fan and as someone who hopes to see more Sakura Wars in the future. The combat is kind of mindless but I feel like the strong story and character development along with a great visual style and audio work makes up for it. There is room to improve but this Sakura Wars reboot left a great impression on me.

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7.9 / 10.0
Apr 28, 2020

Despite its gorgeous world and accessible veneer, Sakura Wars isn't going to win over the masses. It's simply too restrictive design-wise to achieve the broad appeal of games like Persona and Yakuza. For those willing to look past the blemishes, there's a certain beauty to be had here. It may not be the next Sega cult-hit, but Sakura Wars is a powerful love letter for series fans. It' not half-bad for anime fans, either.

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7 / 10
May 14, 2020

The plot and battle system might be simplistic, but it does its job in giving the game a driving force. This is an overall engrossing experience and the closest thing to playing an anime.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

Simon Brown
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
May 24, 2020

An extremely polished, well put together sequel in a long running franchise that old fans and newcomers will enjoy. Its slow pace won't be for everyone but it's an enjoyable time from start to finish.

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6.5 / 10.0
Jun 2, 2020

Sakura Wars is a JRPG game that sometimes forgets what it is. Maybe if all the components of the game were made like the final part, we would have had a great story and atmosphere right now, along with the graphics and amazing music. Although each of the 5 characters in the game has its own ending, the slowness of the storytelling process does not convince you to re-experience the work

Review in Persian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jul 6, 2020

Sakura Wars will take you to a steampunk version of Tokyo to protect the city from danger and demons.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

Jul 30, 2020

I really recommend fans of Sakura Wars or people who are into anime and visual novels to check this one out!

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7 / 10
May 16, 2020

Sakura Wars as a franchise holds huge potential but is let down by slow pacing and annoying tropes amongst other small annoyances.

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7.3 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2020

Sakura Wars is an easy title to recommend to anyone looking for a layered game world populated by a cast of memorable characters. However, those who prefer a more immediately rewarding adventure will likely get exhausted by its story-heavy setup.

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6 / 10
Apr 10, 2020

Sakura Wars is a welcome, pleasant comeback, but a somewhat failed modernization.

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8.5 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2020

Sega found a great way to bring Sakura Wars back into the world, and it deserves to stay. If you like anime, this one deserves to be on your radar.

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7 / 10
Apr 27, 2020

After years of hibernation, Sakura Wars finally returns to the scene and doesn't shy away from some fundamental changes. We still spend most of our time getting to know the new members of the new Flower Division, deepening our relationship with them, or even getting up close and personal with them. At the heart of Sakura Wars remains the compelling story of the Flower Division's rebuilding and return to its former glory. The plot consistently succeeds in the balancing act between funny anime humor and serious tones - a fact that is underlined by the successful staging and visuals. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks in terms of game mechanics, because the adventure as well as fight passages have to struggle with their monotony at regular intervals. Keyword fight: these say goodbye to their tactical roots and open the door for an action-oriented Musou approach. These battles know how to entertain over long distances, but are again and again slowed down by rough control and lack of variety. And yet: Sakura Wars knew how to lure me to the controller again and again with its charm and offers anime enthusiasts a sensitive story, which will captivate for a good 30 hours, if you can overlook some technical shortcomings.

Review in German | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2020

Sakura Wars is an excellent reboot of the series and does right by the fans by subtly tieing in mentions of its predecessors without overburdening new players. The game is fueled by its strong narrative and passionate cast of characters who fight against-all-odds for what they believe in. Sure, some of the arcs don’t totally stick, and the romance can get a little messy, but it accomplishes the goal of giving fans a modernized Sakura Wars experience, without sacrificing what makes it unique.

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5 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2020

Sakura Wars is a serviceable entry point for Western audiences but fails to deliver more than a modest take on what could have been a remarkable game.

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7 / 10
Apr 27, 2020

Those who already enjoy the series or this style of action-RPG meets dating simulator will still have a fun experience and find a good game to play here. Despite the faults with pacing or mechanics I may have discovered along the way, it won’t be enough to scare away this existing audience.

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8.5 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2020

Yes, it may seem like a manifestation of all the quintessential traits seen in many title’s within it’s genre’s nature, but that’s what makes Sakura Wars awesome. Sakura Wars separates itself from being just another typical dungeon crawler; it breaks the mold and creates something unique, fresh and memorable.

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3.5 / 5.0
Apr 29, 2020

Sakura Wars has always been about the characters, interacting via L.I.P.S., and experiencing some insane, over-the-top anime antics. In that respect, the new Sakura Wars recaptures the spirit of the earlier entries and is a perfect bit of RPG comfort food to brighten your soul.

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