Sengoku Dynasty review (PS5)

After building its audience on PC, Sengoku Dynasty has now made the jump to PlayStation 5, bringing its mix of survival, building, and role-playing elements to console players. Developed by Superkami and published by Toplitz Productions, it offers an ambitious blend of open-world exploration, village management, and period-authentic atmosphere, set in medieval Japan. It’s a concept that immediately stands out in a genre often dominated by medieval Europe or post-apocalyptic settings.

The core premise is simple enough: you arrive in the famine- and war-torn Nata Valley and are tasked with rebuilding, not just for yourself, but for an entire community. The game’s open structure lets you choose your path – whether as a craftsman shaping tools and buildings, a warrior defending your people, a monk exploring spiritual mysteries, or a leader coordinating all aspects of village life. It’s a refreshing amount of freedom, and the shift between personal survival and broader dynasty management is one of its more engaging hooks.

That said, ambition is a double-edged sword. The range of systems here is impressive – you can build everything from humble homes to large production facilities, craft weapons and armor, farm crops, hunt wildlife, and automate village labor. But the learning curve can be steep, and on console, navigating its various menus and assigning tasks to villagers can feel slower and less intuitive than it should. The controls work, but there’s a clunkiness that contrasts with the immersion factor.

Combat offers another layer of depth, letting you wield period-appropriate weapons like spears, bows, and katanas, and the ability to block, parry, and counter adds some tactical nuance. Still, while it’s satisfying to fend off rogue samurai or wild animals, the AI isn’t always convincing, and the occasional floatiness in hit detection can break the otherwise grounded atmosphere.

Visually, the PS5 version benefits from the game’s striking art direction. From misty mountain ridges to cherry blossom-lined paths, the Sengoku-era landscapes are a joy to explore. Lighting and environmental detail help sell the fantasy, though character animations and certain textures betray the game’s smaller budget roots. Audio design is similarly uneven – ambient soundscapes and traditional music do wonders for immersion, but voice acting and some repetitive sound effects can feel out of place.

Ultimately, Sengoku Dynasty is at its best when you’re slowly expanding your settlement, seeing the valley come to life with bustling villagers, smoke from forges, and fields ripe for harvest. It rewards patience and long-term thinking, but also demands tolerance for occasional rough edges. For PS5 players who enjoy survival and building games and are looking for something with a distinctive cultural backdrop, it’s a compelling, if sometimes unwieldy, experience that offers more depth the longer you stay with it.

Score: 7.4/10