It's actually a little embarrassing how long I've wanted to make this post.
This is Samurai Warriors and it's create a character system is one of my favorites for a ton of reasons that would usually be used to explain why I hate something.
The create a character is incredibly limited and doesn't remotely let you create the exact character you want to, so what's the point?
I'll tell you the point, this isn't a traditional character creator, and it’s because of this that their goal was different than what you expect.
Most creators exist so you can put yourself or your unique creation into the game, usually so you can play the game your way with your strengths and weaknesses instead of pre-defined traits.
I think I'm not alone in thinking the more options the better. I like being able to perfectly create the gameplay style I want in that moment and to customize the aesthetics for a good hour or so before I even begin playing the game.
THIS creator is treated more like a gameplay mode than a... creator.
You get extremely minimal choices on what your character looks like (pick a model, no other options at all) and you're thrust into a mini-story mode in which your character is training to become a samurai.
The mode itself is basically a series of mini-challenges with occasional random encounters. The gameplay itself is pretty fun if only because it's so different from what Musuo games usually offer. Instead of being left on a map chasing markers and killing officers you'll find yourself racing a horse, surviving a surprisingly difficult wave based mode, exploring an expansive castle with no map while searching for the exit or a number of other challenges.
The point is to pick which challenge you'll undertake each session and attempt to beat it in record time or with the most KOs.
Your character starts off with incredibly low stats but with each session your stats will rise and fall based on what challenge you undertook, what weapon you chose to use, and how well you did.
I think by now you can see what the appeal is even if you don't think it overcomes the lack of customization, this creator allows you to build your character and earn better strengths for said character instead of simply filling out a form.
The downsides being the lack of aesthetic options and the fact that you can royally screw yourself by doing poorly in the creator, but the upside being that when you make a strong character you feel like you "earned" it.
If I'm being honest I'll say this is one of my favorite creators despite going against what every other creator I've used has done.
It's disappointing to have only 3 weapons to possibly end up with at the end, it's terrible that you can screw up and end with a weak as can be character, it's dreadful that my options are "Guy, Guy with armor, Girl, Girl with armor" (and some unlockable options like "Priest, girl priest, More Armored Guy, More Armored Girl"), but I've used this creator a lot in the past.
Playing this mode is fun on its own because it feels like a Musuo RPG as you grow stronger and faster and the challenges become easier, and I loved trying to unlock secrets (read as: Untrue rumors). I had so much fun trying to do my best and mixing up what challenges I took each session seeing as the amount of sessions is limited each playthrough and they influence your growth a TON.
Samurai Warriors has a very interesting creator that's its own game mode and I wish I could find more games that let you earn the outcome of your creator.
It’s just fun trying to play defensively to get a defense buff, or aggressively for strengths, or just doing the races repeatedly for speed boosts because it’s really fun earning a really fast character that rivals Hanzo.
