[quote name='AlbinoNinja']IMO 4 is only better if you haven't played 3 yet. The few updates that came in 4 were disappointing (3 new guys!?! come on!), but it was more balanced and some flaws (like that crappy weapon upgrade system from 3 were fixed)
so everyone who's a fan of the series will probably say 3 while casuals will say 4[/quote]
Eh, I preferred the weapon upgrade system in 3. Yea, 4's might have been more "fair" (no more of your weapon being inadequate for the level), but I enjoyed searching the levels for new weapons. Other things I liked better in 3, the gate guards always dropped defense, the Japanse language option, and unlocking a character for beating it with each individual character (they unlocked too easily in 4 imo).
Whatever you do, stay away from Samurai Warriors. Far less characters and those crappy castle levels killed that game.